The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-07-15
WOULD-BE MURDERERS
A Lady of Chicago Robbed in Her Apartments
by Thieves,
Who, After Discussing the Question of KILL
ing Her, Leave Her Upon the Floor
Bound Hand and Foot and Al
most Dead From Fright.

CHICAGO, July 9.-The most daring and
adroitly executed robbery that has taken
place in Chicago in many years was COM
mitted yesterday afternoon at 80 Eldridge
Court, at the residence of Thomas Smith,
head draughtsman of the Dearborn foundry.
Mr.. Smith is in receipt of good salary, and,
although lessee of box in the vaults of the
Union Safety and Deposit Company, it has
been his practice for some time past to in
trust large portion of his earnings with his
wife. Mrs. Smith is a stout lady about
twenty-six years old.
When her husband went to work after din
der she was left alone IN their rooms, which
include all the apartments on the first floor
A ring of the bell called Mrs. Smith to the
front door. Two men dressed as mechanics
were standing there. They introduced them
selves as plumbers sent there by the landlord.
Mrs. Smith, unsuspicious, led the way TO the
kitchen. She stood by the door as the
first entered, and after waiting moment,
turned to let the second man pass As she
turned he struck her terrible blow with his
fist, which caused her to fall on her knees.
Before she had time to cry out her assailant's
fingers were fastened in her neck. Then the
other man drew a long rope from sack be
carried and proceeded to bind her feet and
hands. A towel was drawn tightly across
her mouth and both ends tied together back
of her head. The robbers then opened the
bosom of Mrs. Smiths dress and got hold of
a wallet containing $1,000. Suddenly the
doOr-bell rang One of the fellows coolly
answered the summons.
Mr.. Timothy and wife, friends of the
Smiths, had stopped to make friendly call.
While one of the robbers held Mrs Smith on
the floor with his hand pressed over her
mouth to prevent her uttering a sound, the
other informed the callers that Mrs. Smith
was i'll and unable to see any visitors. Then
he closed and locked the door.
What shall We do with her?' said he.
"kill her; that's the only thing to do,'
said the other ''then she'll never squeai."
81 don't want 10 kill a woman in cold
blood returned the first speaker.
You needn't do it in cold blood an
swered the other. Just set fire to the house
and let her burn up" Then Mrs. Smith saw
the man who spoke last seize kerosene can
as TO execute his threat. The can proved to be
empty. He cast il from him with an oath, and
cried, Lets dump her into the bath-tub and
turn on the water; she'll drown like a rat.''
A moments consultation ensued, then the
wOuld-be murderers went out of the front
door. closing it after them, leaving Mrs.
Smith upon the floor bound hand and foot,
and almost dead from fright.
Half an hour elapsed before she regained
strength enough 10 attempt loosening the
bonds about her wrists. This task took an
other half hour. Dragging herself on her
knees, she finally reached the front door. A
pasSer-by was apprised of what had taken
place and the police were notified. Up to
this morning they have obtained no clew
and have been able 10 accomplish nothing
except to caution Mr.. Smith TO say nothing
about the affair To reporters. Mrs. Smith has
been prostrated by the shock. She is now
seriously i'll.