1910s Fayette County, Texas News

WAS ATTACKED WHILE ASLEEP 

COWARDLY ATTEMPT MADE TO ASSASSINATE OF LAGRANGE’S CITIZENS 

Heavy Instrument Used-Jaw Shattered by Blow-Victim Taken to Houston Hospital

Considerable excitement prevailed in our quiet little city Sudnay morning when the report was spread that someone had attempted to kill one of our citizens during the early hours of Sunday, sometime between midnight and three o’clock.  Exactly as to the hour may be determined when the culprit is caught, and the real facts are obtained.  The victim of the crime was Fritz Vogt, one of our best known and most highly respected citizens.

Fritz Vogt, who, in company with Arthur Koehler, maintains an auto service and feed store at the old livery barn one half block west from the public square, on Travis street, has for some years, during the summer months slept on a canvas cot in front of the barn on the sidewalk.  Being a man befriended all with whom he came in contact, and wishing ill to no one, he had, presumably, no cause to fear that anyone would wish him any harm.  With the canopy of heaven for cover and the stars for light, he slept nature-like and rested with conscience clear.  Yet it seems that there was somebody who wished to have him removed, to destroy a man whose main aim in life was to live and provide and be a friend to man.

Next to and adjoining the livery barn, Mr. Vogt had erected a large garage, its service, however, being not yet completed.  It was his custom, when about to seek the rest which all mortals relish, to have the light in the garage burn, and be of service to him should there be a call for his services.  After midnight of Saturday, returning from a country trip, he retired and was soon asleep.  And while he slept there came the supposed enemy, the light was extinguished and, armed with a broken tinner’s anvil, the murderer crept up to the sleeping victim and struck him on the face, the horrible blow breaking the right jaw and presumably causing unconsciousness.  How long the victim lay thus is a matter of conjecture.

Lee Cox, returning home from Rutersville, was passing by the garage at 2:30 o’clock, and was hailed by Mr. Vogt, who had struggled to a sitting position, with the request to come to his assistance.  Lee responded, saw the condition of the unfortunate man, and very promptly secured Dr. Knolle, who later secured Dr. Hock, to attend to the sufferer.  The officer next notified and got busy.  A few hours later three suspects were arrested, two of whom were released Sunday afternoon.  The other, colored, and an ex-soldier, was kept in confinement.

Drs. Knolle and Hoch made the patient as comfortable as possible, the son and relatives were notified, and when the southbound Katy passenger reached La Grange, Mr. Vogt, accompanied by Dr. Knolle and John Vogt, a son, left for Houston where the sufferer was placed in a hospital.

When Mr. Cox came to the sufferer he was, as stated, seated on his cot; in his hand was a portion of the jaw bone, and his plate of false teeth.  His appearance was gruesome, blood was spattered on the ground, on the cot and his night apparel.  He frequently vomited blood and the fact he may have, in his moments of unconsciousness, swallowed much of the oozing liquid, lead many to believe that his recovery would be a miracle.  To restore him, therefore, the doctors suggested the trip to Houston, which was taken.

All Sunday morning the people flocked to the barn to view the evidence of the ghastly deed.  The expression, when made, were, we might say, very modest, but all greatly deplored the occurrence.  Known to have very few, if any, enemies, the motive of the crime was discussed.  Robbery was waived, for the few dollars he had in his possession, were found in the pillow slip, and yet who could bear so great a grudge as to wish to kill a man who never sought to or did injure anyone.  The sentiment, when it was expressed, was such that, had the perpetrator then and there been found, he would have been severely dealt with.  Cowardly whelps have their methods of working, they prefer to attack the unsuspecting and the innocent asleep.  Let the wish of all, that the culprit be found and lawfully dealt with, prevail.

Latest reports coming from the patient’s room at St. Joseph’s Infirmary at Houston, and which have been received by his relatives here, are to expect that Mr. Vogt’s condition is such that his recovery is certain.  He has maintained his strong will and has waged a strong fight; his jawbone having been broken by the cowardly blow give promise of healing rapidly, and the eye will not lose is usefulness.

La Grange Journal
September 20, 1919

RETURNED HOME

Fritz Vogt, accompanied by his son, John, left for Houston on Wednesday,  Mr. Vogt having experienced such excruciating pain in the injured eye, the result of a blow received several weeks since while asleep.  Shortly after their arrival at Houston, Mr. Vogt was given an anaesthietic and eye, which had in the meantime sundered, was removed.  Later another fractured portion of the jaw was  removed, since which, we are informed, the patient has been feeling exceptionally good.  We sincerely hope that will continue to improve.

LATER—Since the above has been put in type, Mr. Vogt has returned to LaGrange, and feels, as he says exceptionally well.

Contributed by Gene L. Freudenberg