Man Dies of Blow in Fight

Browns In the News

90 Years Ago
By Don Taylor

My grandpa, Richard “Dick” Brown, was born Clifford Brown (he changed his name in his 30s). I believe this story is one that my Great-aunt Deloris wouldn’t tell me because she wouldn’t “speak ill of the dead.” Anyway, 90 years ago today, Grandpa (Clifford) made it on the front page of the Brainerd Daily Dispatch. My thanks to NewspaperArchive.Com for having the newspaper available online for me to transcribe.

The Brainerd Daily Dispatch (Brainerd, MN), October 17, 1932, Page 1.

Irwin Thompson, 37
killed by blow at
hands of C. Brown 

Dealer in Used Furniture Slumps to Ground and Dies  Shortly After Being Struck Following
Dance at Resort Near Here.

The Brainerd Daily Dispatch (Brainerd, MN), October 17, 1932, Page 1. Via NewspaperArchive.com.

Irwin Thompson, 37, Brainerd dealer in used furniture today was dead and Clifford Brown, 28, also Brainerd, was being held by Cass County authorities pending further investigation of Thompson’s death which follow the fight early Sunday after a dance at Little Pine resort 6 miles west of here.

Brown Taken to Walker

A corners jury impaneled from Cass county this afternoon returned a verdict that “Thompson met his death from a blow at the hands of Clifford Brown.” The Jury heard testimony of Mrs. Thompson. who accompanied her husband to the dance and Martin Podratz, who was also a member of the Thompson party, at the inquest held in Whitney funeral home here.

Pending further investigation by Ed Rogers, county attorney of Haskell county, Brown was taken to Walker where he will be held in the county jail. County Corner Thomas and Sheriff Merrie, both of Cass county, assisted Rogers at the inquest and took Brown to Walker late today.

Called to view the body, Dr. J. A. Thabes, Sr., and Dr. J. A. Thabes, Jr., found that Thompson suffered no broken bones or unusual marks of violence but advanced the theory that his death was induced by the blow.

While stories of principles differ in certain details, authorities are of the belief that the fight was precipitated over attentions paid Mrs. Brown by Thompson. Brown, reviewing the events leading up to the fight to a representative of the Daily Dispatch, declared that Thompson struck the first blow and exhibited a lacerated lip as evidence.

Admits Hitting Thompson

Brown admits striking Thompson and seeing him slumped to the ground. He said he thought nothing of it at the time, thinking that Thompson would revive shortly. When he failed to rally, Brown said he helped lift Thompson into the car to go to medical attention. He said that Thompson’s Paul’s was still bleeding when he was placed in the car.

Testimony of Mrs. Thompson before the corners jury reviewed events leading up to the fight.

—–Column 2—–

Questioned by Rogers, Mrs. Thompson said,

“Together with Mrs. James Bosley, Miss E. Bosley and Martin Podraz, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson left Brainerd for Little Pine about 10 o’clock. Shortly after we were there, Mr. Thompson introduced me to Brown. Mr. Thompson and Brown had known each other for some time.

Little PIne Resort, Brainerd, ca 1950.
By Ren Holland via his blog.
https://blog.renholland.com/

“We never left the dance Hall except to go out to the car for only a few minutes at a time. We had a little to drink but no one was visibly intoxicating. 

“After the dance as we were leaving the hall Fred Austin took Thompson by the arm and said he wanted to talk to him. We went to the car and Thompson later join us with Austin going to his car.

Pulse Still Beating

Brown came over and said he wished to talk to Thompson. They went to Brown’s car and a few minutes later I saw Mr. Thompson takeoff his coat and they started to fight the next thing I knew was that Mr. Thompson was laying on the ground. I went to him and raised his head. It’s pulse was still beating. Replaced him in the car and after considerable difficulty and getting the car started we came to Brainerd and went to the home of Dr. Beise. He pronounced Mr. Thompson dead.”

Podraz Testifies

Podraz’s testimony corroborated that of Mrs. Thompson he added that Brown assisted him (Podraz) in getting Thompson to the car. “He left when other members of a party reached them.” Podratz said.

The witness testified that he “knew Thompson was dead fifteen minutes after the fight but said hd didn’t want to say anything about it because of Mrs. Thompson being there.”

Podraz said that he knew of no trouble between the men and did not hear the conversation leading up to the fight.

Confined to the Crow Wing county jail this morning where he was lodged following his arrest by sheriff Frank Little Sunday upon the request of Cass county authorities, Brown told the Daily Dispatch his version of the affair.

Introduced to Mrs. Thompson

“With Mrs. Brown and a friend, Victoria Colette, we went to Little Pine about 9:30 o’clock we met Thompson there and he introduced me to his wife we exchanged dances and everything appeared friendly while dancing with Mrs. Thompson, she told me she had heard reports that Thompson was too friendly with Mrs. Brown. I went to talk to Thompson but we had no argument.

“After the dance I walked out to my car and later was accosted by Thompson. He came to the car and took hold of the open door he swung back, shattering the glass. He did not appear mad but as others of his party started towards us he took off his coat and struck me. I took off my overcoat and coat and hit him. He fell to the ground but I thought he would get up in a minute. I then started after Fred Austin who appeared to be coming after me but he assured me that nothing was wrong after helping plays Thompson in his car and feeling that his pulse was still beating I drove home.

Body to Wadena

Brown is a laborer and had been employed on the new highway bridge crossing the river here. In recent weeks, he had been unemployed. He has been a resident for several years.

Thompson operated a used furniture store on Laurel street for the last two years.

The body of Thompson was taken to Wadena this afternoon where funeral services an interment will be held.

Surviving him are his widow and four children, Bernice, 11; Glenn, 9; Doris, 7, and Jean, 5.