THE HOLDUP
Brandon Times, March 30, 1899

     Frank Moarn, son of John Moarn, who lives in Springvale on the Fond du Lac road, two miles east of this village, was the subject of a hold up in Fairwater last Sunday evening. He left home Sunday and drove  to Ripon and from there to his cousins north of Fairwater. When returning home about nine o'clock in the evening he was coming up the hill at Fairwater when two men grabbed for his horse's head. He began to whip the horse and succeeded in passing the men but as he did so one of them hit him in the side with a bar. After going for about two miles he became in a dazed consition, his horse proceeded to this village, where it was caught by some of our young men. Dr. J. D. Root was called and he was rallied enough to tell the story and be taken home. For over 24 hours he was in a serious condition and reports were circulated that he was suffering with brain fever and his life far from a certainty. Sunday night he was so delerious that he could hardly be held in bed but reports are that he is feeling better. Persons going to Fairwater Monday morning report that at the foot of the hill was a place where foot tracks and scuffling could be seen, and also the end of the whip that was missing was found. Nobody knows who the men were but some surmise. They must have either been drunk or fools or they would not attempt anything of the kind on so bright and moonlight [sic] a night.