Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/818

 710 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY aged to escape from the asylum at Rochester, where he had been confined, and returned to his home here. Although notified by the Red Wing authorities, the Rochester officials failed to come after their patient, and the Red Wing police decided that on account of threats that Bloom had made he should be locked up. On the evening in question he was located in the Sibley hotel. Accompanied by Mr. Peterson, Chief James Daily entered the waiting room of the hotel. Almost before the chief could speak the crazed man opened fire with a revolver, and a terrible struggle ensued, during which both the chief and Officer Peterson received fatal wounds. Bloom escaped, but was captured by a posse several hours later at East Red Wing. Mr. Peterson and the chief were taken to a hospital. A special train, ordered by Red Wing citizens, brought a physician from St. Paul, and every- thing possible was done to save the men's lives. It was found that the bullet which wounded Mr. Peterson passed through his left side into the bowels, finding lodgment in the skin about an inch from the navel. An operation was performed by Dr. Rodger, of Si. Paul, assisted by local surgeons, but these efforts were unavailing. Mr. Peterson was conscious to the last. He bade his family a fond farewell, expressed greal concern for the wel- fare of his chief and passed away January Hi, 1007, at 5:30. The chief also died. When the funeral look place the entire city went into mourning, the merchants closed their places of business and draped their windows in mourning. The Rev. Mr. Darling, of the Presbyterian church, preached the funeral sermon, Inking for his texl the words. •'Deep .-alleth unto deep." Before coining to this country Mr. Peterson served three years in the standing army of Sweden. He was married April 20, 1881, to Aim Johnson, by whom he had five children: John H., 1882 Arthur E.. 1884; Ann II.. 1886; Harold Y., 1890, and Edna F., 1893. John II. Peterson, son of the above, was educated in the public schools of Red Wing and attended the night sessions of the Red Wing Business College. He then clerked in several stores and later entered the employ of the Red Wing Gas, Light & Power Company, for which company he has now worked seven years, being the assistant manager. In addition to this, he is one of the proprietors of the Model Laundry. Mr. Peterson is a popular club and fraternity man. He was one of the organizers of the Florodora Club and served as its secretary ten years. He is a Knight Templar in the Masonic order and also belongs to the United Workmen, for which order he has been a delegate to several state conventions. He is a Democrat in politics. Arthur E. Peterson is the acting manager of the Model Laundry. This laundry was organized September 30. 1907. and