Three Negroes walked into
the little grocery store of P. J. Chrisinger at 1510 Maury Street, last night. Chrisinger who is 62
years old, gray haired and stooped shouldered with age, was
counting up his meager weeks profits. "Evening old gentleman" said
one of the men, " lemme have about two bits worth of pork chops". The old man looked up; then he hurriedly stuffed the money he was
counting back into a drawer under the counter, and shuffled toward
the ice box after the pork chops. The hiding of the money in the
cash drawer didn't pass unnoticed by the Negroes.
Attacked Without
Warning.
Chrisinger wrapped up the meat and handed the package to
the Negro. But just as he was putting it into man's hand the Negro
reached forward and gripped the old man's hand and jerked him
forward. And then another of the trio ran over to where the hammer
lay, jumped on the old man from behind and begin clubbing Chrisinger on the head. The third Negro snatched up a butcher
knife and begin slashing old Chrisinger across the face and neck
and chest. The groceryman was beaten into unconsciousness. Then
one of the Negros slipped around
behind the counter pulled open the cash drawer and stuffed about $20. in small change into his pocket. They kicked the gray haired
old man lying bleeding on the floor. A gold watch slipped out of
his pocket. One of the Negroes snatched it up, breaking the chain.
And then the three Negroes fled.
Victim In Hospital.
The police
took Chrisinger to Mercy Hospital where Doctor Ransom gave him
hurried medical treatment. At an early hour this morning the
hospital attendants reported that Chrisinger would die. He had
multiple fractures of the skull and his face was slashed and
beaten until it was unrecognizable. He had only a few hours to
live, it was said.
Passerby saw the three Negroes run out of the
little grocery, but the police last night were unable to find
anyone who could give any description the assailants. A son of the
injured man, Frank Chrisinger lives at 136 Loomis Street said the
old man lived in a small room in the rear of the store. He was
unconscious and barely breathing early this morning.
Aged Grocer Assaulted Saturday Night Passes Away.
Mr. Chrisinger is survived by three daughters, Mrs. E. W.
Bankson of Des Moines, Mrs. Nora Sampson of Wichita Kans. and Mrs.
Belmer Pratt of Denver, and three sons, Frank Chrisinger of Des
Moines, Nelson Chrisinger of Plattsmouth Neb. and P. J. Chrisinger of
Des Moines.