Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 219, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1912 — HAPPENINGS IN THE CITIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HAPPENINGS IN THE CITIES

Champion Rifle Shot Lets Holdup Man Rob Him

INDIANAPOLIS, IND.—What would you do if you were the best rifle and revolver shot in the state and a holddip man grabbed your “roll” out of your handsT Shoot him, of course. Well, that’s Just what the champion shot of Indiana didn’t do the only time he ever had occasion to rely on his marlrskmanship to save his property; John 13. Hafner, who won the state championship in the second annual tournament of the Indiana State Rifle association in the Indianapolis battalion armory,- for several years has been one of the best shots in the country. When he won the state championship the other day, he scored 162 consecutive bull’s eyes—a record for Indiana —and the secretary of the state association believes it is a national record. Hafner has numerous medals to show for his skill with the rifle and the revolver. But he never has shot at a human target. When he was robbed in his place

of business a few years ago, it wasn’t because he had Jost his skill or his nerve, but it was because he obeyed his mother. Hafner was in business on Washington street near Rural atreet-when- Jhe was the victlmof a “holdup.” A customer in Hafner’s poolroom gave him a $lO bill in paying for his games, and Hafner took a wallet, containing $175, out of his pocket to get two fives. Two strangers were standing near by and the larger one grabbed the wallet. At that moment Hafner’s mother and one of his employes stepped in at the back door and as Hafner tried to detain the robbers the employe ran into a back room and got Hafner’s revolver. He gave Hafner the revolver just as the robbers went out of ’the door, with Hafner in pursuit. As Hafner leveled the pistol his mother cried “John!” .Hafner says he has heard that cry before, and he never in his 11 fe disobeyed his mother, so when she told him not to shoot he lowered the pistol and watched the robbers run away with his $175. “I am not sorry I obeyed my mother,” said Hafner when the incident was recalled. “The loss of a few dollars is nothing When compared with the life of a man, .even a robber. I did not take up rifle and revolver shooting because of any desire to shed the blood of man or beast”