Iowa Old Press
The Fort Dodge Messenger
Fort Dodge, Webster co. Iowa
March 23, 1903
Geo. A. Griswold of Manson Murdered by Highwaymen
Was a Passenger on Electric Car Between Los Angeles and Santa
Monica California - Shot While Concealing His Watch and Died in
His Mother's Arms
George A. Griswold, son of the late H.J. Griswold of Manson, heir
to the large Griswold estate, and a young man well and favorably
known to many Fort Dodge people, was shot down by hold-up men in
a street car in Los Angeles on Saturday night. His mother and his
aunt, Miss Anna Funk of Manson, with whom he was riding, were
spattered with his blood.
The body will be brought to Manson for burial, but the time of
the funeral has not yet been decided upon.
H.J. Griswold, father of the murdered man, was one of the most
prominent citizens of Manson. George was an only son. His death
leaves his mother alone in the world.
Mrs. Griswold, and her son, and Miss Funk were spending the
winter in California, in accordance with their regular custom.
They were expected to return to Manson in a short time.
George A. Griswold was prominent in Manson and was very popular.
Mr. Griswold was a member of the Fort Dodge Chapter and
Commandery of Masons. If his body is buried in Los Angeles, the
rooms of the order will be draped in mourning. If the funeral
occurs in Manson, it is probable the Fort Dodge Masons will have
charge of the exercises.
Los Angeles, Cal. March 23 - Three masked robbers attempted to
hold up a car on the Los Angeles-Pacific electric line, running
between Los Angeles and Santa Monica, about a mile west of the
city limits, and after a pistol duel between C.W. Henderson, one
of the passengers, and one of the robbers, the other two
highwaymen began shooting right and left through the crowded car.
One passenger was killed and three wounded. The dead: G.A.
Griswold, Manson, Ia. The wounded: J.C. Cunningham of Los Angeles
shot through the left thigh, serious; Ellis Pearson, shot through
the left leg; Dr. C.H. Bowles, shot through the left hand.
It is believed that one of the robbers was badly wounded. Mr.
Griswold was a wealthy citizen of Manson, Ia. He came here
several months ago for the benefit of his mother's health.
The hold-up occurred at the head of a deep cut. The robbers had
placed a steel rail, a large bench and a cement barrel on the
track. The motorman saw the obstruction when the car was several
hundred yards from it and at once turned off the current and ran
slowly to the place. The moment the car struck three men, wearing
masks over their faces, sprang from the weeds alongside the
track. One boarded the front end of the car and the other two the
rear end. The first man commanded the passengers occupying the
open seats to put up their hands, and when one of them did not
comply, he fired a shot. Henderson then opened fire on the
robber, shooting as fast as he could pull the trigger. The robber
turned his gun upon Henderson, but as he did so he was seen to
bend over and cry out as if in pain. Then straightening up, he
began shooting at the passengers huddled int he front seats. One
of his bullets struck Ellis Pearson in the left leg. Henderson
continued firing and the robber was seen to fall.
While this was going on on the outside of the car a tragedy was
being enacted inside. The two robbers who had entered the rear
door commanded the passengers to raise their hands, and most of
them did so. Before any attempt could be made by the robbers to
search teh passengers for their valuables, the shooting began on
the outside of the car. Then the other two robbers began shooting
right and left into the crowd of passengers. At the command,
"hands up," he tried to secrete his watch under his
legs, and one of the robbers, thinking he was about to draw a
gun, fired point blank at him. The bullet struck him in the back
of the neck, and he fell over into the lap of his aged mother,
who was seated at his side.
Dr. C.H. Bowles was near the front door and at the command of the
robbers he raised his hands. When he had them in the air one of
the bullets from a robber's revolver struck his left hand and
shattered the bones. After emptying their revolvers the robber
backed out of the door and sprang off the car and disappeared.
That many more were not killed or wounded is little short of
miraculous. Inside the car was thirty or more passengers and
there were more than ten shots fired. Bullets were found imbedded
(sic) in the woodwork in many places when the car reached this
city.
Griswold expired before the car had gone a mile. He never spoke
after he was shot and when his body was lifted from the car at
Santa Monica his watch was found under him on the seat. His
mother was covered with his blood and was almost insane from
fright and grief. The bullet which killed him grazed the cheek of
Miss Anna Funk, who was traveling with him. The highwaymen
secured nothing whatever from the passengers.
[transcribed by C.F., March 2011]