Minneapolis Police Detectives Robert Ball (left) and Harold Brademan (right) investigate the scene at the Good Service Pen Shop in the Plymouth building after it was robbed on February 13, 1947.
The owner, Fanny Friedman (b. 1896, d. 1980), was known for her lively personality and her love of pens. Ms. Friedman left school after the eighth grade and began her life’s work selling and repairing pens. She established the Good Service Pen Shop in the 1920s and was in business at the same location until the late 1970s.
During the robbery, Ms. Friedman attempted to thwart the gunman by throwing a bottle of ink at him.
Ms. Friedman was shot and was in the hospital in critical condition for weeks.
Cedric Adams, who was a popular Twin Cities radio broadcaster on WCCO, gave daily updates on her recovery.
Quotation by Ms. Friedman from Robert T. Smith column, Minneapolis Tribune, September 8, 1976
Photograph courtesy of Hennepin County Library