Looking Back to 1931: Eyewitnesses describe gang battle, hijacking
This look back at Paso Robles history comes from local newspapers in the Paso Robles Area Historical Society collection. News for this column is selected with the assistance of the society’s Vice President Nancy Tweedie and Research Director Jan Cannon.
Excerpt from the Thursday, January 1, 1931 issue:
Blazing Guns at San Miguel Peril Citizens
Two Men Wounded in Suspected Hijacking Try; Car Left Here
Woman and Sailor Narrowly Escape Being Hit by Bullets
– Gangland guns flashed red in the center of San Miguel early last Wednesday, and when the shots had died away two men were wounded and the little town had been aroused to its greatest mystery in years.
Authorities expressed belief that an attempted hijacking of a truckload of liquor led to the battle, but no rum was found later when the truck was discovered near Lockwood. In the meantime a shot-riddled Cadillac had appeared in Paso Robles and a man who has the name of “Blake” was treated by Dr. G.L. Sobey.
The automobile was still in the Pioneer Garage today—unclaimed. And the whereabouts of its occupants of the morning of the gun battle were still unknown.
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Bystanders Periled
At least two innocent bystanders were imperiled when the guns of the embattled men began to roar in San Miguel, it was revealed yesterday. They were Miss Charlotte Diener of 1131 Page Street, Berkeley, and a sailor of the United States Navy who presumably had been hitchhiking and was given a ride either on the truck on in the other car.
Miss Diener, who had been cooking for the Hotel Bressler, was leaving for the north on Train 69. Fred Braffet, substituting for Bill Williams as night patrolman, had gone to the San Miguel station to flag the train for her.
Carrying her suitcase, Miss Diener stepped into the street. It was 4:40 a.m., and the business section of San Miguel was dark. She started across to the depot.
Guns Start Roaring
A truck suddenly swung down the highway and careened to a stop near the old red railroad car which Wm. McNaul placed facing the road a year or so ago. Before Miss Diener had time to reach the other side of the pavement, the Cadillac had circled across the railroad track near the cattle corral and turned near the truck.
Shots rang out. Glass shattered on the Cadillac’s windshield. A man staggered out into the headlights’ glare with one hand over his face. Blood trickled through his fingers.
He took refuge behind the railroad car and leaned against a telephone pole. Out in the street guns were still blazing. Two pistol shots pierced the back of the seat.
There must have been at least one other man on the truck. Now he leaped to the road, a gun in his own hand. More shots at close range. Miss Diener, nearly paralyzed with fright, stood in the middle of the highway and saw the desperate duel.
15 Shots Fired
Over across the railroad tracks, cut off from the highway by a
(Continued on Page 5 — Click here to read Page 5)
Read previous Looking Back articles
- Looking Back to 1944: Pioneers opposed to merger with fair
- Looking Back to 1946: Pioneer Day queen and grand marshal named, first fair held
- Looking Back to 1931: Local news from 91 years ago
- Looking Back to 1940: National women pilots hold two-day convention here
- Looking Back to 1950: Property owners urged to protest county tax
Thank you to sponsors of Looking Back
Paso Robles Pioneer Museum – Come take a real look back into local Paso Robles history. Open Thursday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 2010 Riverside Ave., Paso Robles, CA 93446, www.pasoroblespioneermuseum.org (805) 239-4556.
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