Bio: Krueger, Louis Evasion (4 May 1920)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Jensen, Krueger, Touton

----Source: The Stevens Point Journal (Stevens Point, WI) 05/04/1920

Draft Evader Eludes Posse

Louis Krueger, Sought For Part In Wartime Battle, Outwits Armed Men Who Had Surrounded Swamp

Marshall Talks With Mother

Federal Official Investigates Case - Clark County Sheriff Orders Halt

Eau Claire, Wis., May 3 - Deputy Unites States Marshal Touton, who arrived here yesterday with a warrant for draft evasion against Louis Krueger, may return to Madison. In the meantime, Louis remains at large.

Touton talked with Mrs. Caroline Krueger, mother of the alleged fugitive, and is satisfied that the youth has escaped. There will be no action until it is announced that Louis is back home again.

There seems to be some doubt as to whether Louis Krueger was present and took part in the battle between the Krueger boys and deputy United States marshals and posse-men two years ago, when they barricaded themselves in the house when their arrest was sought as draft evaders.

In the battle which followed harry Jensen, Soo station agent at Owen and a member of the posse, was killed and four men were wounded, including Frank Krueger, one of the draft evader. Frank and his mother surrendered, but Ennis and Leslie Krueger made their escape into the swamp at the rear of the house.

That Louis was in the house and took part in the battle, escaping with his other two brothers, was also the supposition, but there seems to be doubts in the minds of some as to whether he was there then.

Ennis was killed a few days afterwards by a deputy United States marshal in a barn near Ruby (¹ See Footnote), but Leslie was not captured until many months later in Minnesota. He and Frank are now serving life sentences for the murder of Harry Jensen, but the mother, Mrs. Krueger, was acquitted of the charge a the trial at Neillsville.

¹ Ruby is incorrectly stated. It should be Polly, Taylor County, Wisconsin