Roughly Dressed Man

Accosts Hazel Meine On

North Franklin Street.

——–

SEARCH MADE BUT

NOBODY IS FOUND

——–

No Harm Done to Girl Except Making Her Extremely Nervous.

——–

Anna, 19-year-old daughter of Ludwig Breu, well-known farmer residing in Cottonwood township, some four miles west of Searles, had a desperate struggle with a mysterious individual, who paid an unwelcome visit to the Breu home, Friday evening about 7:45 o’clock. She demonstrated rare presence of mind and unusual pluck by defending herself, until the man was frightened away by the approach of a neighbor, Louis Reinhart, whom she had summoned by telephone.

Escaped in Darkness

The bold intruder, upon seeing the reflection of Mr. Reinhart’s auto lights, as the latter drove onto the Breu place, while he was struggling desperately with the girl, made good his escape through the rear door of the house and vanished in the darkness. The young lady’s folks, who had left home at about 7:40 o’clock, to attend a school program at Searles, and who were also summoned by a telephone call from her, before the man entered the house, appeared on the scene shortly after Mr. Reinhart arrived. A search of the premises and their surroundings was made with the assistance of Sheriff W. J Julius, who also was called, but the man had disappeared.

Heard Noise on Porch

Just a few minutes after her folks had departed, Miss Breu seated herself at the table in the front room and was busy mending clothes, when she suddenly heard a commotion. Believing it was the horses in the barn that were making the noise, she paid no further attention, until there was a sharp rap at the front door. Not realizing the impending danger, she unlocked and opened the door.

Confronted by Gun

Instantly, a man’s arm flashed from behind the door frame, a weapon clasped in its hand. The man himself was not visible, being hidden to one side. Miss Breu slammed, the door shut and locked it. Then she ran to the telephone, several feet distant, and called Mr. Reinhart, as well as her brothers’ garage at Searles.

“Open or Well Shoot!”

While the young lady was telephoning, the man shattered a pane in the window, between the door and the telephone and shouted “Open the that door, or we’ll shoot.” By this time, Miss Breu was thoroughly frightened and, fearing this man might carry out his threat, she again unlocked the door and let him enter. He immediately caught hold of her and tore her dress in several places. A large plant, growing in a tub, and standing on the floor, was upset in the struggle, as were chairs and other furniture. Fortunately, the lighted kerosene lamp on the table remained upright

Girl Frees Herself

Fighting off her assailant as best she could, Miss Breu finally succeeded in freeing herself, just as Mr. Reinhart drove onto the place. She ran out of the front door to meet the approaching neighbor and ask him for help. The intruder, evidently sensing danger upon seeing the reflection of the auto lights, ran into the kitchen, back of the parlor, tore the curtain from a window, probably in an attempt to make a speedy exit, and then escaped through the kitchen door, several feet from the window.

Was Not a Stranger

That the unwelcome visitor was not a total stranger, is evidenced by several facts in connection with the affair. To begin with, he apparently knew that Miss Anna Breu was at home alone, and that the other members of the family had just departed, as barely five minutes had elapsed from the time they left and when he rapped on the door for admittance. Other circumstances that indicate familiarity, are, that he approached the young lady with head bowed down, as if to avert her gaze and possible identification; and that he evidently found the back door without difficulty, when making a hurried exit, upon Mr. Reinhart’s approach.

Face and Hands Black

The man wore a headgear with two thorn-like protrusions, and according to Miss Breu, his face and hands were black. He wore no mask, but probably had on some black gloves, for he did not scratch his intended victim, when he tore her dress. A small spot of black paint or similar pigment, found on the girl’s chest, following the encounter, would indicate that the man had used some such material in his makeup.

It later developed that the noise which Miss Breu heard, before the man rapped on the door, was caused by his upsetting an empty cream can and throwing it down from the porch, together with a Christmas tree, that was standing in a corner.

Sheriff’s Office Called

Sheriff W. J. Julius was notified soon after the occurrence and immediately drove out to the Breu farm to investigate. It was too dark, however, to trail the intruder, and the sheriff returned to the scene next morning. Unfortunately, the heavy frost during the night had obliterated whatever tracks the man might have left behind.

Brown County Journal,

Dec. 25, 1925