Omaha daily bee., 1889-04-26
ROBBED OF sIn.oooa 2
A Very, Very. Fishy story Told ny g
Denver Man.

DENVER, Colo, April 25-lSpecial Tele-
gram TO TuE BEE.l-F. A. Vanhusen a
wholesale dealer in tobacco at 522 Eight
oeuth street, entered police headquarters
late last night and said he had been knocked
down and robbed of Si5 900 on Stout street,
opposite the high school, at 8 O'Clock last
night. MIR. Vanhusen states that he was
assaulted by two men. Ono struck him from
behind twice, and knocked him senseless.
HIS coat was cut open, and when he recov-
cred two packages of money, containing re.
spectively $4,000 and 5000, were gone.
Vanhusen is unable to give an accurate de-
scription of the men. He was struck back
of the right ear, and il is believed with
sand bag. Vanhusen's having $4,000 in
his possession was the result of a peculiar
concurrence Of circumstances, and his
being assaulted demonstrates that he had
been shadowcd from the time the money was
placed in his hands. Vanhuson and Mr..
A. NJ. Ghost real estate dealer, coutem-
plated an investment in Albuquerque. They
intended leaving on last nights train for
that point About 9 o'clock yesterday
afternoon they went to the German National
bank and drew $4,000. They then drew
50, 600 moro from the State National bank.
They went together 30 the office of the ex-
press company for the purpose of expressing
the money to Albuquerque. The express
were too high and they decided
to deposit 1t again and get drafts.
Upon returning from the express
office they found the banks closed. Vanhusen
was on his way home with the money. The
two packages were in his inside vest pocket.
The two men came up behind him on Stout
street. As they approached he stepped aside,
and Immediately they struck him on the back
of the head. The first blow did not stun him
completely, and as he fell against the fence
he turned to fight, and struck at the man
nearest him. He then received another blow,
which knocked him senseless. When he re-
vived he was lying on the walk His coat
and vest were both torn and cut and the
money was gone. Upon investigation to-day
1t was found that Vanhusen had told differ
ent persons different stories. Mr.. Wing, the
partner of Mr.. Ghost, visited the banks to-
day and discovered that his partner had not
drawn cent from them.
Chief of Police Brady says: "1n coniunc-
tion with detectives l made close inspec-
tion OF the circumstances surrounding this
case. 1t certainly is very mysterious. When
Nanhusen came to my office last night he
told very conflicting stories. He said that
he had been held up for $751; 900, and to prove
that he had struggled he showed me scratches
on his hand. Then he gave detailed ac-
count of the affair, and when he had finished
failed utterly to account for the wounds or
his hands. He said the pockets on his coat
had been ripped down. The pockets were torn
entirely out. VanHusen told me that
he did not owe dollar. find that he owes
several thousand dollars, and yesterday his
store was attached by his own brother for
debt of 81 600 To-day note which he gave
ninety days ago for So ,3O0 fails due. He
also told me that he drew $1,000 from the
State National bank yesterday, which he in
tended to put with 50, 100 he had in his Office
to make up the So, 900 as his share In a pro-
posed land deal. On investigation l find
that he did not draw cent from the bank
i visited the scene OF the alleged
hold-up last night and found the books
which Vanhusen says he dropped in the
struggle, laid carefully to one side. The en-
velopes out of which he says the money was
taken were very carefully and neatly torn,
showing no indications of haste.n
Several members of the detective force are
debating whether or not Vanhusen was not
his own robber.