, 1884-10-19
SHOT AND ROBBED.
A Rural Stranger is Spotted by
Desperate Sharpers.
Confidence Schemes Failing Ne is
Boldly Held Up
And Loses His Money at the Point
ola Pistol.

80 49,
Thursdays train from the East brought,
among other passengers whose destination
was this city, a young man named w. +.
Rowe. Mr.. Rowe has, until recently,
been employed as a farm laborer in the
agricultural region in the vicinity Of Eli,
Kansas, and like many another young
man, came further West with the hope of
lettering his condition. He had saved
from his earnings a trife over 5000 and
anticipated hal his money would support
him until he could obtain some lucrative
position.
Upon his arrival here Rowe registered
at the Railroad hotel and took his meals
at that hosiery until yesterday noon. Be
ing a stranger in the city he quite natur-
ally spent considerable time upon the
depot platform and in the vicinity Of the
hotel. There he was approached yester-
day morning by two men who entered
into conversation, in an easy way, which
soon made them the recipients of the con-
fdence of the young man from the rural
districtssof Kansas. Indeed, Rowe, who
felt the depression of spirits which strang-
ers in a strange place.can appreciate, was
glad to meet the gentlemen and passed
nearly all of the forenoon in their com
pany. The sharpers were not long in dis
covering that Rowe had money and that
discovery was speedily followed by propo-
sitions for its investment. Among other
things suggested, the precious pair was
particularly anxious to have Rowe 90 into
the soap business, as they termed it.
They pictured in glowing terms the large
return which could be realized from the
investment of a small sum o6money. In
deed, they thought that with $500 the
three men could make a tour of the
United States, stopping at the small
towns for business and in the large cities
for pleasure.
The soap business as explained to
Rowe, was simply an old scheme of
swindlers to rob people out of money by
means of small prize packages of soap an
old ~valise, the display of greenbacks and an
abundance of assurance being all the stock
in trade necessary. Despite the assertions
Of the men that they had made 800 in
Greeley only a day or two ago, Rowe re
fused to enter into the-scheme, basing the
refusal upon principle only and little sus-
pecting that the sharpers intended to vic
timize him and not the public.
Not caring to further continue the nc
quaintance with the sharpers. Rowe
avoided them during the afternoon. But
his quondam friends did not propose
that the acquaintance should cease, as
subsequent will show.
After taking his dinner, Rowe strolled
along the Denver Pacific track, and for
some reason walked several miles to a
point on the road, where he spent several
hours reading. He states hat he fol-
lowed the road for fear he would become
lost if he wandered out upon the plains.
About $50 o'clock Rowe started back to
the city. He had proceeded but a short
distance when he came upon the two men,
who were standing at the top of Il small
band at one side Of the track. The fell
lows had doubtless followed him with the
intention of obtaining by force the money
they had failed to secure by means of a
confidence game. When Rowe approached
within a few feet the larger of the
men drew a cooked revolver, which he
had held behind his back, and pointing
the weapon within a few feet Of Rowc's
breast ordered him to Throw up his
hands - That command, when empha-
sized with the barrel of a pistol, is usually
obeyed, and to say that Rowe obeyed it
with alacrity would be only a mild state
ment of the truth. Thus covered with
the weapon held by one Of the men Rowe
stood while the other took from him his
purse, a revolver and everything else of
value his pockets contained. After Rowe
had been robbed, and after his pistol had
been taken, the men were naturally a little
less watchful OF his movements and see
ing a bare chance of defense he suddenly
sprang forward and seized the revolver,
which was still pointed at him. The man
who held the weapon at one pulled the
trigger and the ball, striking Rowe's hand
in the palm, passed out through the
knuckle of the second finger, tearing his
hand frightfully. A struggle then ensued
for the possession of the pistol, but with
one hand useless Rowe was comparatively
powerless. SEEKING him by the neck the
robber pushed him down the bank and
ere he could regain his feet the twain had
fed.
Rowe went to the section house, which
was not far distant, where his hand was
rudely dressed. Subsequently he returned
to the city and DR.. Hunt dressed his
wound. II will doubtless be necessary to
amputate one finger and a portion of the
hand. Rowe states that his pocketbook
contained $217.50, which was all the
money he had. As he is now penniless
he has been sent to the hospital, where
he will remain until he is able to work.
One of the robbers is described as a
large man who was rather addressed.
He wore a closely-cropped, dark nous
tache, his coat was clean but somewhat
worn and his trousers were noticeable by
reason of a pronounced strip and a welt
on the sides. The other robber was a
small man who looked like a tramp. His
coat was greasy and a rent in his trousers
above one knee was quite conspicuous.
The men told Rowe during the forenoon