Say 2 Admit Beating G.I.

newspaper clipping from amanda shafer scrapbook

Police were holding two 18-year-old Des Moines youths here Wednesday in connection wtih the beating and robbery early Tuesday of Pvt. Gail Fitch, 18, of Leon.
The youths gave their names and addresses as Edgar H Adair of 3940 University ave. and Truman Osburne of 716 Seventeenth st.
Police said Adair signed a statement admitting that he helped beat up Fitch, now being treated at Veteran's hospital for a broken jaw, possible fractured skull, and possible internal injuries. The incident occurred near Crocker street and Keosauqua way at 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Adair said he helped beat up Fitch because "he wised off."
Police said Osburne orally admitted to hitting Fitch twice.
Fitch told police that he had been beaten up and robbed of $27 by "two or three" companions with whom he had been drinking in places on Center street.
The soldier, on leave from Camp Polk, La., had been visiting a sister here.