100 years ago in Spokane: A Gonzaga priest defeated a practical but unskilled robber and an inmate escaped because he was “powerfully sensitive”

A robber with guns crawled onto the Gonzaga University campus, entered a building, confronted Brother M. McDermott in a hallway, and said, “Hands up, quick! Spend what you have for money! “

At that moment, Rev. Father James A. Kennelly came into the hallway and said, “How much do you want?”

“Oh, about $ 200 or $ 300,” said the robber.

“Sit in the parlor until I have the money,” said Father Kennelly, Gonzaga’s vice president, as he led the robber into an empty room.

Then Father Kennelly notified the police. The robber sat patiently until a Spokane policeman arrived and disarmed him.

The robber was identified as Hedvin Nelson, 44, a worker.

When asked why he tried to stage a robbery at the university, he replied, “If you want to attack someone, the best way to go is to go to the people who have money.”

Police said Nelson did not impress them “as a man with long history as a mugger”.

From the convict file: A prison artist nicknamed “The Elusive Louis” made a 25-minute visit to Spokane – in chains on his way back to Missoula prison.

Louis Lafrinire was returned to Missoula Prison for the second time in weeks. On his most recent escape, he feigned illness while being transferred to another part of the prison. His total number of escapes was four, including one from Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge.

When asked why he didn’t just do his time, he said, “I’m very sensitive and if you don’t treat me right I’ll try to get away every time.”

He was arrested in Prosser, Washington, shortly after his last escape.