Bio: Krueger, Ennis #2 (24 Sep 1918)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Garman, Jones, Krueger, Parker, Tingman

----Source: The Eau Claire Leader (Eau Claire, WI) 09/24/1918

Ennis Krueger Killed by U.S. Agent; Hunt For Two Brothers Pressed

One Of The Trio Of fugitives Wanted For Murder Is Slain In Barn

Failure To Throw Up Hand Costs Him Life

Discovered Hiding In Farm Building Near Village Of Polly

Ennis Krueger, aged 20, wanted for murder and for evading the draft, was shot through the head and killed Sunday noon by a secret agent of the department of justice named Jones two miles and a half from Polly, a village 15 miles north of Owen.

Ennis, who with two brothers, Leslie and Louis, still at large, had been hunted since Sunday, September 15, the day after they made their night escape from their home near Withee following a battle with posse-men and state guardsmen in which Harry Jensen, Soo line station agent, was killed, was discovered by Jones on the second floor of a barn.

Jones drew his revolver and called out to him to throw up his hands and come forward. Instead of obeying, he made a motion which looked to Jones like a reach for weapon. The officer, who had his revolver leveled at Krueger’s head, fired, dropping the fugitive dead. Jones came here from Montana last week to assist other secret agents in the hunt.

A search of Krueger’s body and the barn failed to disclose a weapon of any kind, though a number of revolver cartridges were found. The officer has been under instruction to take no chances, but fire at the first sign of resistance. The body was brought to Owen Sunday night.

Whether the federal officers believe the other two Krueger’s are near, Willis Parker, in charge of the hunt, would not say last evening, not would he disclose how Jones learned Krueger was in the barn near the village of Polly. Others, however, said the current rumor was that the officers expected to find Louis and Leslie Krueger in the neighborhood of Polly and had redoubled their efforts in combing the territory.

Ennis Krueger, one report had it had reached the neighborhood of Polly the Monday after the battle at the Krueger home. Percy Tingman, storekeeper at Polly, was awakened about 10 o’clock Monday night, September 16, by a young man who wished to purchase some supplies. The man bought overalls, cheese, and cured meats. Tingman later identified a picture of Ennis Krueger as the man to whom he has sold the goods, it was said.

Mrs. Louis Krueger, widowed mother of the draft evaders, who is in the Eau Claire county jail awaiting removal to the Clark county jail for arraignment on a charge of murder growing out the killing of Jensen, burst into tears when she was told of Ennis death. She wept quietly for a half hour, then regained her composure. She would say nothing.

In custody of Sheriff Garman, Mrs. Krueger was permitted to go to Chippewa Falls Sunday and visit her son Frank, who has been in the hospital there, wounded in both legs, since the night of the farmhouse battle.