St. Paul daily globe., 1888-07-31
CHASED BY LIGHTNING.
Wounded by a Detective, a Noted Grim.
inal Escapes by a Daring
Leap.
Windy Bob, the Waseca Jail Breaker,
Captured in Minneap-
oils.
A Chase by Night. Ended by Des-
perate Plunge Over a
Bridge.

For some days past the Minneapolis
inspectors of police have been continu-
ously on the lookout for noted criminal
named Robert Pollan, who is also known
as Harris and Howard, but generally
passes under the sobrlquet of "Windy
Bob" He is desperate character, with
price on his head, and is wanted at
Waseca for highway robbery and burg
larry. Six weeks ago he was arrested
and placed in the Waseca Jail, but after
two weeks of confinement he literally
sawed the Jail to pieces and walked out,
stopping in the sheriff's Office long
enough to arm himself completely. A
reward was offered for his recapture,
and as he was supposed to have come
toward Minneapolis the detectives of
this city we're on the lookout. Two
weeks ago he was located, and little
work developed the fact that he has
been working between here and Fargo,
spending his time in each place in a
house Of ill-fame, where he was care
fully slowed away. On Sunday
night Inspector Hoy located him
at house of that character
ON Third street south, between
Eleventh and Twelfth avenues. Pro-
viding himself with decOy, the officer
went to the house and ascertained def
nitely that ''Windy Bob" was there.
The decOy found him in a back room,
into which Hoy broke. Bob was Oh a
lounge and before he could rise, Hoy
was upon him and an interesting strug-
gle ensued. Bob was Oh his face on the
lounge and managed to pull a danger
ous-looking pistol from beneath cuSh-
ion, but though it was discharged
twice, it did no harm. Hoy finally man.
aged to get pair of handouts on the
prisoner and started up street. AS they
turned upon Washington avenue, pa
trolman run around the block from an
other direction to ascertain the cause of
the shooting, and meeting the man who
had acted as the decoy, proceeded to ar
rest him. Hoy heard the talk and stop
ping his prisoner. turned to explain to
the patrOlman. At this instant, Bob
wrench twisted the chain linking the
handouts and snapped it apart. He
then leaped into the street and started
rapidly down Washington avenue. 1t
was about 80 o'clock yesterday morn
ing and with the rain falling was in
tenSely dark, the gloom being re-
ieved by periodical flashes OF light
ming Trusting to the darkness to
escape. Bob crossed the street, with the
detective in pursuit. The chances of
escape were good, as the prisoner proved
to be fleet runner, so Hoy drew his re-
volver and fired two shots. The second
the curb on the opposite side of the
street, but hesitated but an Instant and
then renewed his flight more Sapidly
than before. The shots attracted much
attention, and more than one window
went up to allow head to poke out as the
pair passed down the street. Bob was
about thirty feet ahead of Hoy, and that
distan remained unchanged through
out until Tenth avenue was reached,
when the pursued turned toward the
river A fash of lightning came as he
turned the corner and Hoy fired again,
but without effect. Bob directed his
course to the Tenth avenue bridge, with
Hoy after him, and the chances of
capture grew smaller. AS the criminal
rreachedthe bridge and darted upon it,
Hoy fired again and this time
with better effect. Bob stopped
and fell. just as the officer
was upon him, he got to his
feet, and, seizing the railing, leaped
over and disappeared in the gloom below.
1t was frightful leap for wounded
man with handouts still upon him, but
the water, thirty feet below, is dotted
with logs and the desperate chance Was
taken. Hoy gave up the pursuit and
returned to rescue his stool pigeon from
the hands of the patrolman, who was in
ssting upon locking him up as sus-
piciOuS character.
1t was learned yesterday morning that
"Windy Bob" had escaped and gone to
st. Paul. where he had the handouts
filed off. Hoy is still on his track, and
says he will capture him yet. Bob Is
desperate character, and is connected
with the circus gang now about the city.
He is wanted in several places for as
many crimes, and several rewards are
offered for his arrest and return.