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Engle
Chronicles
The Death
of Badman Monte Peters
1921
or
Don't fool with the law when supper's waiting
by John
Troesser |
Fayette
County historian George Koudelka (whose father was from Engle
and whose mother was from Praha)
told us the story of how his grandfather once assisted Schulenburg
police when prison escapee Monte Peters blew into town with a stolen
roadster in 1921.
The police in Schulenburg
had noted Monte's appearance in town - and weren't all that anxious
to approach him. They phoned down to Engle
for Deputy Rudolph Stavinoha to lend a hand since he was a Spanish
American War veteran and to their thinking - he'd be more qualified
to deal with escaped convicts.
Rudolph took the call and agreed to help - although he was about to
sit down to eat dinner. He arrived on the scene and found Monte in
"his" car with the patrolmen maintaining a respectful distance.
Deputy Stavinoha approached the car and asked the man his name. Monte
freely admitted that until recently he had been receiving his mail
at Huntsville.
Monte Peters seriously underestimated the county deputy - perhaps
mistaking him for just another timid tin star. When Peters opened
the car's glove box - Rudolph knew at once he wasn't reaching for
his insurance papers. He drew his .45 automatic and literally blew
Monte out of his seat and through the unlatched door of the roadster.
Monte's now unconcealed pistol remained unfired.
Rudolph motioned for the Schulenburg
patrolmen to come take over - now that the heavy lifting was done.
As he excused himself, he told them that Mrs. Stavinoha would be mad
if he let his dinner get cold.
© John
Troesser |
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