The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-03-15

years ago than an occurrence IN city
in the nineteenth century, with its cleo
trio lights and well-organized police.
Charles e. Willis came to Colorado last
June, with view TO engaging in mining
IL he could find suitable Investments
for few thousand dollars which he had
accumulated by life OF thrift and
economy. He visited Georgetown,
Leadville and other mining camps and
acquired interests in property near
these places, which have occupied his
attention ever since, until the rigor OF
the winter in the high altitude proved
too severe scr his constitution, already
impaired by the toll OF nearly sixty
years, and he determined to come to
Denver for the winter. With view to
this end he wrote to his wife to sell the
property and Join him with her young
daughter in Denver. She realized about
$4,000 from the sale of their effects and
arrived in Denver few days ago,
bringing the money with her. A a..
Russell, we'll known in Denver, invited
Mr. Willis to bring his family to his
house until he could make satisfactory
arrangements tor permanent resi-
dences - -
Sunday, the day Of his wifes arrival,
was spent quietly at the house, and
after supper MIR. Willis came down TO
the st. James Hotel, where he expected
to meet a gentleman who Is Interested
with him in mining enterprise. The
gentleman failed to keep the appoint
ment, and, after waiting an hour or so,
Mr.. Willis started for home few miu-
utes before O'Clock, The night was
dark and cold, and he walked as briskly
as the slippery condition of the pave
ments would permit. He met the usual
number of pedestrians along Sixteenth
street. and crossing Broadway lie walked
rather more slowly up the hill on East
Sixteenth until he reached the vacant
lot Just beyond the residence OF Mr.,
Charles b. Kountze. There the trees
grew close and tall along the sidewalk
on the one side and nigh fence en-
closes the lot on the other, MIR. Will
says that he was walking along in
rather distracted frame OF mind, whel
about the middle OF the block he re
ceived crushing blow on the back O
the head, knocking him complete
senseless. When he recovered cor
seriousness he found himself in rud
shanty with bare floor, Imprinted boar
walls and canvass roof like u tent.
small stove furnished heat for the room
around which were seated four me
wearing masks, which completely col
cealed their features. The light, ful
nished by candle set on table at on
end of the room, was insufficient
enable him to obtain good view
their clothing, but 1t was such as
generally worn by miners and the labo
ing classes.
Mr.. Willis was tied hand and foot al
weight attached to his neck, so
could not raise his head. He detect,
the odor of chloroform on his beaI
and clothes and felt nausea that to
the story OF his unconscious moment
He lay quiet for few moments al
then to his awakening consciousne
the pains in his head, caused by Il
blow he had received, became so gre
that he moaned with pain. IL
brought one OF the men to his feet al
he united Willis hands, gave him CT
of water and made his position lit
more comfortable. In return for the
little attentions he placed paper al
pencil before Mr.. Willis and demand
that he should write note to his vii
bidding her send him 81, 900 at ono
The unfortunate man pleaded and pl
tested, but without avail, and final
under the threat of death, backed
by cooked revolver, he wrote note
his wife at the dictation of one
the men, OF which the following is
copy:
DENvEB, Col, Dec. 16, 1888.
Ny DEAR WIFE: Please send
bearer, who is trustworthy party, s
600, which l need to complete trans
ton. Don't be uneasy If / do not
turn until tomorrow morning. "
atfectionate husband.
CHARLES e. WILLIS
Mr.. Willis says that one OF the n
disappeared with the note and after
interval OF about two hours, as nea
as he could guess, returned with
money. The money was counted on
silence on the table and then divi
into two piles.
At this iuncture they seemed to re-
to mind his presence and one of
men whispered a few moments to
others, and then Mr.. Willis was gag
and bLindfolded and lifted, all bon
into vehicle, which he Judged to |
spring wagon. The horse was dri
rapidly for an hour or more and |
stopped, and, his bonds and gag b,
first removed, MIR. Willis was PLACED
his feet in the middle OF the road
told lie might 60. Before leaving, /
ever, the leader of tue party told W
that if he made his loss public Of
formed the police he must be prep
to take the consequences. Then
drove of, and Willis at random took
opposite direction and with much /
Guilty reached an outsklrt of town, WI
by his description must haYe been
Highlands. He finally arrived at
Russell's residence and lmmedia
took to his bed, where he has rema
ever since. edoes not appear to
been seriously injured by the blow,
is suffering from nervous prostri
and anxiety OF mind, caused by the
oil his money.
Mrs. Willis, pleasant-featured
OF middle age, says that when the
presented the note from her hus
she entertained no suspicion of it,
meaning, as her husband had menti
during the day that he would prol
purchase the interest of the
whom he expected to meet that eve
She did not notice the mans apPea
closely aud says she is not sur
could identify him, and she
''those wicked men will stay away
her husband and never be hea
again" The robbery was one {
boldest ever committed in civ
community.