Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1899 — AGED CASHIER IS ATTACKED! [ARTICLE]

AGED CASHIER IS ATTACKED!

Murderously Assaulted in a Palatine, Ill., Bank by Supposed Robber. Cashier Fred J. Filbert of Charles H. Patten's bank at Palatine, Ill., was beaten with a hammer in the hands of a man whose purpose is thought to have been robbery, Wednesday afternoon. The assault occurred in the bank. Filbert’s skull was crushed by two blows. The assailclaims, who claims his name is Walter Lawton and is 32 years of age, was prevented from carrying out his supposed plan to rob the bank by Henry Plagge, an aged farmer, who entered the place immediately after the cashier’s bleeding body had been thrown under a desk. Lawton struck him on the head with the hammer repeatedly, but the aged man fought for his life. Plagge wrenched the hammer from his antagonist’s hand and the stranger than drew a revolver. In the struggle between the two men for this weapon it was discharged and Lawton was shot in the abdomen. Lawton was then seized by townspeople who had heard the sounds of the struggle and the cries of the wounded men. He told the village authorities thaf he had come pto take the life of the bank cashier because he had broken up his (Lawton’s) home in New York five years ago. The townspeople do not believe this story, as it is well known that Mr. Filbert has not been in New York within twenty-five years. Lawton was taken to a Chicago hospital, being hastened out of the village by the authorities on account of the threats of summary punishment made by enraged citizens, and there he died.