MATT KRUMMEL YOUTH ESCAPES DEATH TRAP ON HI-WAY M. KRUMEL(sic), TWO RIVERS, SHOT AT Wounded in Hand While Driving Car North of Two Rivers; Find Threat Note Quick action by Matt Krumel, Two Rivers youth, who, when accosted by two strangers on Highway 163 at Goedjen’s Grove last night, three miles north of Two Rivers, stepped on the gas and shot his Ford coupe ahead, probably saved his life, and he escaped with three fingers of his left hand clipped by one bullet, with the other going through the windshield. And an air of mystery developed to the shooting later, when, in a search of the premises where the two men loomed up in front of Krumel disclosed a couple of empty shells, 22 long, two regular bullets, and a scribbled note, in a disguised hand, with poor spelling and the lettering blurred as though the note had been carried in the pocket for some time. It said: “I COULDN’T GET YOU SO CAN’T NO ONE. I WILL GET ONE OF YOU BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED.” Krumel, who is a young man 25 years of age, employed at the Kahlenberg shops at Two Rivers is to be married next week to Miss Snobie Laurent of 2223 Jackson street, Two Rivers. They have taken out the marriage license. At the time of the shooting last night Krumel was enroute to Tisch Mills to visit his mother who resides there. He was alone in the coupe.
Goes Back Over Same Road.
But Krumel had plenty of nerve. With his hand disabled by the first shot of one of the strangers he wheeled his coupe about in the road to the north of the spot and putting on all speed shot his car back over the same stretch of road towards Two Rivers. He made a quick trip to the police station there and told the story of what had taken place to Officer Thorn. Together they went back to the scene and searched the highway and the woods in the vicinity but could find no one. This morning, Krumel, accompanied by his fiancée, Miss Laurent, visited Police Chief Schroeder in Two Rivers and also told their story to Sheriff Beduhn of this city. Neither could think of anyone who would wish them harm, but the fact that they were soon to wed and the tell tale note had been found at the side of the roadway, along with the empty shells and bullets, led to the conclusion that the note had evidently been pulled from the pocket of one of the men who tried to shoot Krumel, when he was reloading the gun.
Re-Enacts Incidents.
This morning Krumel re-enacted the story of the affair for the chief and a Herald news reporter at Two Rivers. He had started earlier in the evening for Tisch Mills for a visit with his parents there, but had forgotten his pocketbook and returned to his boarding house at 1918 Rogers street. When he started out on Highway 163 a little after eight he naturally speeded up and had just passed the Goedjen Grove when suddenly his headlights showed up two men coming out on the cement to meet him one from each side of the road.
Wounded in Hand.
One wore a cap and the other a hat and the one on his left, who came out from the west side of the road, had a gun. Almost before Krumel knew what was taking place there were two quick reports. He felt the sting of a bullet that scratched across three fingers of his left hand on the steering wheel and then passed out of the Ford coupe, plowing through upholstery and the metal of the body. The second bullet evidently fired from an automatic passed in front of him and shattered the glass at the corner of the windshield farthest from Krumel. This bullet imbedded itself in the crevice left by the broken glass and was taken out by the chief this morning. Krumel, with the first shot had stepped on the gas and his car shot forward and was soon far up the road and he was so bewildered by the sudden turn of events that he did not realize his danger, and turning the car on the road retracted his way and came back over the same course. He said he saw no trace of the men on his return journey to Two Rivers. Then with Officer Thorn the pair returned to the scene of the shooting but could find no one.
Find “Poison” Note.
But later in the evening Krumel with some friends went back for another search. With a flash light they searched all along the gutters of the road and it was then that they stumbled on the shells and also the “poison pen” note. The poor grammatical construction of the note, which bore no signature or initials may be only a blind. And then again Krumel may not be the party the pair were seeking and he might have been the victim of mistaken identity. The phrase, “I couldn’t get you, so can’t no one” would seem to indicate that the author of the note was some one who was disappointed in seeking the favor of Miss Snobie Laurent, who lives with her parents on the east side in Two Rivers and who formerly lived at Rio Creek in Kewaunee county.
Miss Laurent Affected.
Miss Laurent visibly affected by the strange occurrences of the evening before was also questioned by Police Chief Schroeder and Sheriff Beduhn, in an effort to find some clew that might lead to the apprehension of parties responsible for the attempt on Krumel’s life last night. The latter was not certain this morning whether the stranger on his right, who came out from the east side of the highway was armed or not. He said he only noticed the gun carried by the man on his left and from the course of the shots in the car it is evident that this party fired both of them.
Note Carried Some Time.
As Krumel was going at a speed of close to 40 miles an hour, the stranger must have fired in rapid succession. The bullets found on the side of the road were 22 long shells. A fraction of a second earlier or a bit better aim would have sent the first bullet through Krumel’s body as it sliced through the seat at his right and on out of the car. This bullet was not found. The note had evidently been carried in the pocket for some little time as it was with difficulty that some of the printed words on it were made out. The paper size was one probably torn from a small note book and was not over three inches square.
Two Rivers is Excited.
Two Rivers was in a high pitch of excitement this morning as details of the shooting spread about the city. Krumel planned to drive to Tisch Mills today to tell his mother of the shooting before she would read the accounts in the newspapers. He was non-committal as to his future plans for the wedding but indicated that the exciting events of Monday night would not mean postponement of the wedding. Krummel has been employed at the Kahlenberg shops at Two Rivers for the past four years. Meanwhile the sheriff’s force and the police department of Two Rivers are continuing their probe in an effort to try and solve this newest shooting mystery.
Manitowoc Herald News, Tuesday, May 22, 1928 Page 1
*********
CHECK UP KRUMEL’S STORY, MAY BRING HIM IN FOR QUESTIONING POLICE CHIEF MAY GET YOUTH UP ONCE MORE
Death Trap Story of Young Man Discloses Some Points That Need Explaining Although authorities up to a late hour this afternoon had taken no steps to question further, Matt Krumel, Two Rivers youth who reported being the victim of two men who rushed out on him from the side of the highway near the Goedjen Grove north of Two Rivers and shot twice through his car, it is said that he may be asked to come before Police Chief Schroeder to explain some little discrepancies in his story. And Two Rivers residents were commencing to become a bit skeptical that the note that was found with the shells along side of the road by Krumel, his fiancée, Miss Laurent, and a boy friend when they made a second trip Monday night to the scene of the shooting on Highway 163, had been dropped there by the party doing the shooting. That a small slip with the threat, “ I couldn’t get you, so can’t no one. I will get one of you before you get married” should blow about the highway and be found later is something the police want to have cleared up.
Bullets Are Small.
The police doubt that Krumel was being sought by anyone for, they argue, if a party wanted to “get” either he or his fiancée, Miss Laurent, that they would not have taken anyone else into their confidence which would have to be the case, to account for Krumel’s story that two men came out on the highway when he chugged along in his flivver early Monday evening enroute to Tisch Mills to visit his mother. The small caliber of the bullets used, and found by Krumel on the side of the road is another angle to the case that leads the police to believe that everything is not right with the whole affair. Police Chief Schroeder visited the scene Tuesday afternoon and this morning admitted that he might have Krumel up for further questioning later in the day. If the party alleged to have done the shooting intended Krumel as the victim it must have been someone familiar with his habits, or they would not have been out on this lonely road, taking a 1000 to one shot that Krumel would pass that way. Turning so soon after he had been wounded is another matter that the police would like to clear up.
Krumel Was Alone.
Some reports yesterday said that Krumel was accompanied on the trip by Miss Laurent. But such is not the case. He was alone. After the shooting he came back here. Then with Officer Thorn the pair returned to the vicinity and made a search but nothing was found and no trace of any strangers found. Then after leaving the officer, Krumel picked up his fiancée, and a boy friend that roomed with him at 1918 Rogers street and the trio returned once more to the scene of the shooting. It was on this trip, while poking about the sand on the side of the road with a flashlight, according to Krumel, that two bullets, an exploded shell and the note were found. The fact that neither Krumel nor Miss Laurent can recall any one of their friends or acquaintances who might in any way be connected with such an attempt leads the authorities to the belief that the story of Krumel is either overdrawn or that he was the victim of mistaken identity and that the shots were not intended for him at all, but someone else. The fact that Krumel was soon to wed is what makes the note part of the whole affair fit into the case. But it would not be surprising if new developments were to make their appearance within a short time.
Manitowoc Herald News, Wednesday, May 23, 1928 Page 11
******
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: Matt Krummel
SSN: Omitted for Privacy
Last Residence:
54241 Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
BORN: 17 Oct 1905
Died: 25 Mar 1997
State (Year) SSN issued: Wisconsin (Before 1951)
Goes Back Over Same Road.
But Krumel had plenty of nerve. With his hand disabled by the first shot of one of the strangers he wheeled his coupe about in the road to the north of the spot and putting on all speed shot his car back over the same stretch of road towards Two Rivers. He made a quick trip to the police station there and told the story of what had taken place to Officer Thorn. Together they went back to the scene and searched the highway and the woods in the vicinity but could find no one. This morning, Krumel, accompanied by his fiancée, Miss Laurent, visited Police Chief Schroeder in Two Rivers and also told their story to Sheriff Beduhn of this city. Neither could think of anyone who would wish them harm, but the fact that they were soon to wed and the tell tale note had been found at the side of the roadway, along with the empty shells and bullets, led to the conclusion that the note had evidently been pulled from the pocket of one of the men who tried to shoot Krumel, when he was reloading the gun.
Re-Enacts Incidents.
This morning Krumel re-enacted the story of the affair for the chief and a Herald news reporter at Two Rivers. He had started earlier in the evening for Tisch Mills for a visit with his parents there, but had forgotten his pocketbook and returned to his boarding house at 1918 Rogers street. When he started out on Highway 163 a little after eight he naturally speeded up and had just passed the Goedjen Grove when suddenly his headlights showed up two men coming out on the cement to meet him one from each side of the road.
Wounded in Hand.
One wore a cap and the other a hat and the one on his left, who came out from the west side of the road, had a gun. Almost before Krumel knew what was taking place there were two quick reports. He felt the sting of a bullet that scratched across three fingers of his left hand on the steering wheel and then passed out of the Ford coupe, plowing through upholstery and the metal of the body. The second bullet evidently fired from an automatic passed in front of him and shattered the glass at the corner of the windshield farthest from Krumel. This bullet imbedded itself in the crevice left by the broken glass and was taken out by the chief this morning. Krumel, with the first shot had stepped on the gas and his car shot forward and was soon far up the road and he was so bewildered by the sudden turn of events that he did not realize his danger, and turning the car on the road retracted his way and came back over the same course. He said he saw no trace of the men on his return journey to Two Rivers. Then with Officer Thorn the pair returned to the scene of the shooting but could find no one.
Find “Poison” Note.
But later in the evening Krumel with some friends went back for another search. With a flash light they searched all along the gutters of the road and it was then that they stumbled on the shells and also the “poison pen” note. The poor grammatical construction of the note, which bore no signature or initials may be only a blind. And then again Krumel may not be the party the pair were seeking and he might have been the victim of mistaken identity. The phrase, “I couldn’t get you, so can’t no one” would seem to indicate that the author of the note was some one who was disappointed in seeking the favor of Miss Snobie Laurent, who lives with her parents on the east side in Two Rivers and who formerly lived at Rio Creek in Kewaunee county.
Miss Laurent Affected.
Miss Laurent visibly affected by the strange occurrences of the evening before was also questioned by Police Chief Schroeder and Sheriff Beduhn, in an effort to find some clew that might lead to the apprehension of parties responsible for the attempt on Krumel’s life last night. The latter was not certain this morning whether the stranger on his right, who came out from the east side of the highway was armed or not. He said he only noticed the gun carried by the man on his left and from the course of the shots in the car it is evident that this party fired both of them.
Note Carried Some Time.
As Krumel was going at a speed of close to 40 miles an hour, the stranger must have fired in rapid succession. The bullets found on the side of the road were 22 long shells. A fraction of a second earlier or a bit better aim would have sent the first bullet through Krumel’s body as it sliced through the seat at his right and on out of the car. This bullet was not found. The note had evidently been carried in the pocket for some little time as it was with difficulty that some of the printed words on it were made out. The paper size was one probably torn from a small note book and was not over three inches square.
Two Rivers is Excited.
Two Rivers was in a high pitch of excitement this morning as details of the shooting spread about the city. Krumel planned to drive to Tisch Mills today to tell his mother of the shooting before she would read the accounts in the newspapers. He was non-committal as to his future plans for the wedding but indicated that the exciting events of Monday night would not mean postponement of the wedding. Krummel has been employed at the Kahlenberg shops at Two Rivers for the past four years. Meanwhile the sheriff’s force and the police department of Two Rivers are continuing their probe in an effort to try and solve this newest shooting mystery.
Manitowoc Herald News, Tuesday, May 22, 1928 Page 1
*********
CHECK UP KRUMEL’S STORY, MAY BRING HIM IN FOR QUESTIONING POLICE CHIEF MAY GET YOUTH UP ONCE MORE
Death Trap Story of Young Man Discloses Some Points That Need Explaining Although authorities up to a late hour this afternoon had taken no steps to question further, Matt Krumel, Two Rivers youth who reported being the victim of two men who rushed out on him from the side of the highway near the Goedjen Grove north of Two Rivers and shot twice through his car, it is said that he may be asked to come before Police Chief Schroeder to explain some little discrepancies in his story. And Two Rivers residents were commencing to become a bit skeptical that the note that was found with the shells along side of the road by Krumel, his fiancée, Miss Laurent, and a boy friend when they made a second trip Monday night to the scene of the shooting on Highway 163, had been dropped there by the party doing the shooting. That a small slip with the threat, “ I couldn’t get you, so can’t no one. I will get one of you before you get married” should blow about the highway and be found later is something the police want to have cleared up.
Bullets Are Small.
The police doubt that Krumel was being sought by anyone for, they argue, if a party wanted to “get” either he or his fiancée, Miss Laurent, that they would not have taken anyone else into their confidence which would have to be the case, to account for Krumel’s story that two men came out on the highway when he chugged along in his flivver early Monday evening enroute to Tisch Mills to visit his mother. The small caliber of the bullets used, and found by Krumel on the side of the road is another angle to the case that leads the police to believe that everything is not right with the whole affair. Police Chief Schroeder visited the scene Tuesday afternoon and this morning admitted that he might have Krumel up for further questioning later in the day. If the party alleged to have done the shooting intended Krumel as the victim it must have been someone familiar with his habits, or they would not have been out on this lonely road, taking a 1000 to one shot that Krumel would pass that way. Turning so soon after he had been wounded is another matter that the police would like to clear up.
Krumel Was Alone.
Some reports yesterday said that Krumel was accompanied on the trip by Miss Laurent. But such is not the case. He was alone. After the shooting he came back here. Then with Officer Thorn the pair returned to the vicinity and made a search but nothing was found and no trace of any strangers found. Then after leaving the officer, Krumel picked up his fiancée, and a boy friend that roomed with him at 1918 Rogers street and the trio returned once more to the scene of the shooting. It was on this trip, while poking about the sand on the side of the road with a flashlight, according to Krumel, that two bullets, an exploded shell and the note were found. The fact that neither Krumel nor Miss Laurent can recall any one of their friends or acquaintances who might in any way be connected with such an attempt leads the authorities to the belief that the story of Krumel is either overdrawn or that he was the victim of mistaken identity and that the shots were not intended for him at all, but someone else. The fact that Krumel was soon to wed is what makes the note part of the whole affair fit into the case. But it would not be surprising if new developments were to make their appearance within a short time.
Manitowoc Herald News, Wednesday, May 23, 1928 Page 11
******
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: Matt Krummel
SSN: Omitted for Privacy
Last Residence:
54241 Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
BORN: 17 Oct 1905
Died: 25 Mar 1997
State (Year) SSN issued: Wisconsin (Before 1951)
MATT KRUMMEL YOUTH ESCAPES DEATH TRAP ON HI-WAY M. KRUMEL(sic), TWO RIVERS, SHOT AT Wounded in Hand While Driving Car North of Two Rivers; Find Threat Note Quick action by Matt Krumel, Two Rivers youth, who, when accosted by two strangers on Highway 163 at Goedjen’s Grove last night, three miles north of Two Rivers, stepped on the gas and shot his Ford coupe ahead, probably saved his life, and he escaped with three fingers of his left hand clipped by one bullet, with the other going through the windshield. And an air of mystery developed to the shooting later, when, in a search of the premises where the two men loomed up in front of Krumel disclosed a couple of empty shells, 22 long, two regular bullets, and a scribbled note, in a disguised hand, with poor spelling and the lettering blurred as though the note had been carried in the pocket for some time. It said: “I COULDN’T GET YOU SO CAN’T NO ONE. I WILL GET ONE OF YOU BEFORE YOU GET MARRIED.” Krumel, who is a young man 25 years of age, employed at the Kahlenberg shops at Two Rivers is to be married next week to Miss Snobie Laurent of 2223 Jackson street, Two Rivers. They have taken out the marriage license. At the time of the shooting last night Krumel was enroute to Tisch Mills to visit his mother who resides there. He was alone in the coupe.
Goes Back Over Same Road.
But Krumel had plenty of nerve. With his hand disabled by the first shot of one of the strangers he wheeled his coupe about in the road to the north of the spot and putting on all speed shot his car back over the same stretch of road towards Two Rivers. He made a quick trip to the police station there and told the story of what had taken place to Officer Thorn. Together they went back to the scene and searched the highway and the woods in the vicinity but could find no one. This morning, Krumel, accompanied by his fiancée, Miss Laurent, visited Police Chief Schroeder in Two Rivers and also told their story to Sheriff Beduhn of this city. Neither could think of anyone who would wish them harm, but the fact that they were soon to wed and the tell tale note had been found at the side of the roadway, along with the empty shells and bullets, led to the conclusion that the note had evidently been pulled from the pocket of one of the men who tried to shoot Krumel, when he was reloading the gun.
Re-Enacts Incidents.
This morning Krumel re-enacted the story of the affair for the chief and a Herald news reporter at Two Rivers. He had started earlier in the evening for Tisch Mills for a visit with his parents there, but had forgotten his pocketbook and returned to his boarding house at 1918 Rogers street. When he started out on Highway 163 a little after eight he naturally speeded up and had just passed the Goedjen Grove when suddenly his headlights showed up two men coming out on the cement to meet him one from each side of the road.
Wounded in Hand.
One wore a cap and the other a hat and the one on his left, who came out from the west side of the road, had a gun. Almost before Krumel knew what was taking place there were two quick reports. He felt the sting of a bullet that scratched across three fingers of his left hand on the steering wheel and then passed out of the Ford coupe, plowing through upholstery and the metal of the body. The second bullet evidently fired from an automatic passed in front of him and shattered the glass at the corner of the windshield farthest from Krumel. This bullet imbedded itself in the crevice left by the broken glass and was taken out by the chief this morning. Krumel, with the first shot had stepped on the gas and his car shot forward and was soon far up the road and he was so bewildered by the sudden turn of events that he did not realize his danger, and turning the car on the road retracted his way and came back over the same course. He said he saw no trace of the men on his return journey to Two Rivers. Then with Officer Thorn the pair returned to the scene of the shooting but could find no one.
Find “Poison” Note.
But later in the evening Krumel with some friends went back for another search. With a flash light they searched all along the gutters of the road and it was then that they stumbled on the shells and also the “poison pen” note. The poor grammatical construction of the note, which bore no signature or initials may be only a blind. And then again Krumel may not be the party the pair were seeking and he might have been the victim of mistaken identity. The phrase, “I couldn’t get you, so can’t no one” would seem to indicate that the author of the note was some one who was disappointed in seeking the favor of Miss Snobie Laurent, who lives with her parents on the east side in Two Rivers and who formerly lived at Rio Creek in Kewaunee county.
Miss Laurent Affected.
Miss Laurent visibly affected by the strange occurrences of the evening before was also questioned by Police Chief Schroeder and Sheriff Beduhn, in an effort to find some clew that might lead to the apprehension of parties responsible for the attempt on Krumel’s life last night. The latter was not certain this morning whether the stranger on his right, who came out from the east side of the highway was armed or not. He said he only noticed the gun carried by the man on his left and from the course of the shots in the car it is evident that this party fired both of them.
Note Carried Some Time.
As Krumel was going at a speed of close to 40 miles an hour, the stranger must have fired in rapid succession. The bullets found on the side of the road were 22 long shells. A fraction of a second earlier or a bit better aim would have sent the first bullet through Krumel’s body as it sliced through the seat at his right and on out of the car. This bullet was not found. The note had evidently been carried in the pocket for some little time as it was with difficulty that some of the printed words on it were made out. The paper size was one probably torn from a small note book and was not over three inches square.
Two Rivers is Excited.
Two Rivers was in a high pitch of excitement this morning as details of the shooting spread about the city. Krumel planned to drive to Tisch Mills today to tell his mother of the shooting before she would read the accounts in the newspapers. He was non-committal as to his future plans for the wedding but indicated that the exciting events of Monday night would not mean postponement of the wedding. Krummel has been employed at the Kahlenberg shops at Two Rivers for the past four years. Meanwhile the sheriff’s force and the police department of Two Rivers are continuing their probe in an effort to try and solve this newest shooting mystery.
Manitowoc Herald News, Tuesday, May 22, 1928 Page 1
*********
CHECK UP KRUMEL’S STORY, MAY BRING HIM IN FOR QUESTIONING POLICE CHIEF MAY GET YOUTH UP ONCE MORE
Death Trap Story of Young Man Discloses Some Points That Need Explaining Although authorities up to a late hour this afternoon had taken no steps to question further, Matt Krumel, Two Rivers youth who reported being the victim of two men who rushed out on him from the side of the highway near the Goedjen Grove north of Two Rivers and shot twice through his car, it is said that he may be asked to come before Police Chief Schroeder to explain some little discrepancies in his story. And Two Rivers residents were commencing to become a bit skeptical that the note that was found with the shells along side of the road by Krumel, his fiancée, Miss Laurent, and a boy friend when they made a second trip Monday night to the scene of the shooting on Highway 163, had been dropped there by the party doing the shooting. That a small slip with the threat, “ I couldn’t get you, so can’t no one. I will get one of you before you get married” should blow about the highway and be found later is something the police want to have cleared up.
Bullets Are Small.
The police doubt that Krumel was being sought by anyone for, they argue, if a party wanted to “get” either he or his fiancée, Miss Laurent, that they would not have taken anyone else into their confidence which would have to be the case, to account for Krumel’s story that two men came out on the highway when he chugged along in his flivver early Monday evening enroute to Tisch Mills to visit his mother. The small caliber of the bullets used, and found by Krumel on the side of the road is another angle to the case that leads the police to believe that everything is not right with the whole affair. Police Chief Schroeder visited the scene Tuesday afternoon and this morning admitted that he might have Krumel up for further questioning later in the day. If the party alleged to have done the shooting intended Krumel as the victim it must have been someone familiar with his habits, or they would not have been out on this lonely road, taking a 1000 to one shot that Krumel would pass that way. Turning so soon after he had been wounded is another matter that the police would like to clear up.
Krumel Was Alone.
Some reports yesterday said that Krumel was accompanied on the trip by Miss Laurent. But such is not the case. He was alone. After the shooting he came back here. Then with Officer Thorn the pair returned to the vicinity and made a search but nothing was found and no trace of any strangers found. Then after leaving the officer, Krumel picked up his fiancée, and a boy friend that roomed with him at 1918 Rogers street and the trio returned once more to the scene of the shooting. It was on this trip, while poking about the sand on the side of the road with a flashlight, according to Krumel, that two bullets, an exploded shell and the note were found. The fact that neither Krumel nor Miss Laurent can recall any one of their friends or acquaintances who might in any way be connected with such an attempt leads the authorities to the belief that the story of Krumel is either overdrawn or that he was the victim of mistaken identity and that the shots were not intended for him at all, but someone else. The fact that Krumel was soon to wed is what makes the note part of the whole affair fit into the case. But it would not be surprising if new developments were to make their appearance within a short time.
Manitowoc Herald News, Wednesday, May 23, 1928 Page 11
******
U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: Matt Krummel
SSN: Omitted for Privacy
Last Residence:
54241 Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
BORN: 17 Oct 1905
Died: 25 Mar 1997
State (Year) SSN issued: Wisconsin (Before 1951)
Goes Back Over Same Road.
But Krumel had plenty of nerve. With his hand disabled by the first shot of one of the strangers he wheeled his coupe about in the road to the north of the spot and putting on all speed shot his car back over the same stretch of road towards Two Rivers. He made a quick trip to the police station there and told the story of what had taken place to Officer Thorn. Together they went back to the scene and searched the highway and the woods in the vicinity but could find no one. This morning, Krumel, accompanied by his fiancée, Miss Laurent, visited Police Chief Schroeder in Two Rivers and also told their story to Sheriff Beduhn of this city. Neither could think of anyone who would wish them harm, but the fact that they were soon to wed and the tell tale note had been found at the side of the roadway, along with the empty shells and bullets, led to the conclusion that the note had evidently been pulled from the pocket of one of the men who tried to shoot Krumel, when he was reloading the gun.
Re-Enacts Incidents.
This morning Krumel re-enacted the story of the affair for the chief and a Herald news reporter at Two Rivers. He had started earlier in the evening for Tisch Mills for a visit with his parents there, but had forgotten his pocketbook and returned to his boarding house at 1918 Rogers street. When he started out on Highway 163 a little after eight he naturally speeded up and had just passed the Goedjen Grove when suddenly his headlights showed up two men coming out on the cement to meet him one from each side of the road.
Wounded in Hand.
One wore a cap and the other a hat and the one on his left, who came out from the west side of the road, had a gun. Almost before Krumel knew what was taking place there were two quick reports. He felt the sting of a bullet that scratched across three fingers of his left hand on the steering wheel and then passed out of the Ford coupe, plowing through upholstery and the metal of the body. The second bullet evidently fired from an automatic passed in front of him and shattered the glass at the corner of the windshield farthest from Krumel. This bullet imbedded itself in the crevice left by the broken glass and was taken out by the chief this morning. Krumel, with the first shot had stepped on the gas and his car shot forward and was soon far up the road and he was so bewildered by the sudden turn of events that he did not realize his danger, and turning the car on the road retracted his way and came back over the same course. He said he saw no trace of the men on his return journey to Two Rivers. Then with Officer Thorn the pair returned to the scene of the shooting but could find no one.
Find “Poison” Note.
But later in the evening Krumel with some friends went back for another search. With a flash light they searched all along the gutters of the road and it was then that they stumbled on the shells and also the “poison pen” note. The poor grammatical construction of the note, which bore no signature or initials may be only a blind. And then again Krumel may not be the party the pair were seeking and he might have been the victim of mistaken identity. The phrase, “I couldn’t get you, so can’t no one” would seem to indicate that the author of the note was some one who was disappointed in seeking the favor of Miss Snobie Laurent, who lives with her parents on the east side in Two Rivers and who formerly lived at Rio Creek in Kewaunee county.
Miss Laurent Affected.
Miss Laurent visibly affected by the strange occurrences of the evening before was also questioned by Police Chief Schroeder and Sheriff Beduhn, in an effort to find some clew that might lead to the apprehension of parties responsible for the attempt on Krumel’s life last night. The latter was not certain this morning whether the stranger on his right, who came out from the east side of the highway was armed or not. He said he only noticed the gun carried by the man on his left and from the course of the shots in the car it is evident that this party fired both of them.
Note Carried Some Time.
As Krumel was going at a speed of close to 40 miles an hour, the stranger must have fired in rapid succession. The bullets found on the side of the road were 22 long shells. A fraction of a second earlier or a bit better aim would have sent the first bullet through Krumel’s body as it sliced through the seat at his right and on out of the car. This bullet was not found. The note had evidently been carried in the pocket for some little time as it was with difficulty that some of the printed words on it were made out. The paper size was one probably torn from a small note book and was not over three inches square.
Two Rivers is Excited.
Two Rivers was in a high pitch of excitement this morning as details of the shooting spread about the city. Krumel planned to drive to Tisch Mills today to tell his mother of the shooting before she would read the accounts in the newspapers. He was non-committal as to his future plans for the wedding but indicated that the exciting events of Monday night would not mean postponement of the wedding. Krummel has been employed at the Kahlenberg shops at Two Rivers for the past four years. Meanwhile the sheriff’s force and the police department of Two Rivers are continuing their probe in an effort to try and solve this newest shooting mystery.
Manitowoc Herald News, Tuesday, May 22, 1928 Page 1
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CHECK UP KRUMEL’S STORY, MAY BRING HIM IN FOR QUESTIONING POLICE CHIEF MAY GET YOUTH UP ONCE MORE
Death Trap Story of Young Man Discloses Some Points That Need Explaining Although authorities up to a late hour this afternoon had taken no steps to question further, Matt Krumel, Two Rivers youth who reported being the victim of two men who rushed out on him from the side of the highway near the Goedjen Grove north of Two Rivers and shot twice through his car, it is said that he may be asked to come before Police Chief Schroeder to explain some little discrepancies in his story. And Two Rivers residents were commencing to become a bit skeptical that the note that was found with the shells along side of the road by Krumel, his fiancée, Miss Laurent, and a boy friend when they made a second trip Monday night to the scene of the shooting on Highway 163, had been dropped there by the party doing the shooting. That a small slip with the threat, “ I couldn’t get you, so can’t no one. I will get one of you before you get married” should blow about the highway and be found later is something the police want to have cleared up.
Bullets Are Small.
The police doubt that Krumel was being sought by anyone for, they argue, if a party wanted to “get” either he or his fiancée, Miss Laurent, that they would not have taken anyone else into their confidence which would have to be the case, to account for Krumel’s story that two men came out on the highway when he chugged along in his flivver early Monday evening enroute to Tisch Mills to visit his mother. The small caliber of the bullets used, and found by Krumel on the side of the road is another angle to the case that leads the police to believe that everything is not right with the whole affair. Police Chief Schroeder visited the scene Tuesday afternoon and this morning admitted that he might have Krumel up for further questioning later in the day. If the party alleged to have done the shooting intended Krumel as the victim it must have been someone familiar with his habits, or they would not have been out on this lonely road, taking a 1000 to one shot that Krumel would pass that way. Turning so soon after he had been wounded is another matter that the police would like to clear up.
Krumel Was Alone.
Some reports yesterday said that Krumel was accompanied on the trip by Miss Laurent. But such is not the case. He was alone. After the shooting he came back here. Then with Officer Thorn the pair returned to the vicinity and made a search but nothing was found and no trace of any strangers found. Then after leaving the officer, Krumel picked up his fiancée, and a boy friend that roomed with him at 1918 Rogers street and the trio returned once more to the scene of the shooting. It was on this trip, while poking about the sand on the side of the road with a flashlight, according to Krumel, that two bullets, an exploded shell and the note were found. The fact that neither Krumel nor Miss Laurent can recall any one of their friends or acquaintances who might in any way be connected with such an attempt leads the authorities to the belief that the story of Krumel is either overdrawn or that he was the victim of mistaken identity and that the shots were not intended for him at all, but someone else. The fact that Krumel was soon to wed is what makes the note part of the whole affair fit into the case. But it would not be surprising if new developments were to make their appearance within a short time.
Manitowoc Herald News, Wednesday, May 23, 1928 Page 11
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U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Name: Matt Krummel
SSN: Omitted for Privacy
Last Residence:
54241 Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
BORN: 17 Oct 1905
Died: 25 Mar 1997
State (Year) SSN issued: Wisconsin (Before 1951)
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