The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1890-01-25
DASTARDLY DEEDS.
An Old Mans Story Of Outrage by
Roughs.
Two ROughs make Life Miserable for an
Old Man and His Wife and Steal
His Money.
HIS STORY,

HIS STORY.
One would hardly suppose that these
headlines pointed direct to occurrences
that have taken place within the last
ninety days, and again to a REPETITION
of like nature within two weeks OF
this writing, but night Of times covers
a multitude of crimes.
There lives in Ottawa an old man
and his wife. The husband is 80 years
old and the wife is 80. Both have
been through their life handwriting,
sober, industrious people, and, while
wealth has not been lavished upon
them, they own their home, and are
still earning their daily bread by daily
toll. The old man works for we'll
known firm in this city, and has done
so for over a year, and on or about last
October held in his possession $1,000,
the balance of his months pay, which
his necessities had not compelled
him to invest. AS he tells his story,
rap sounded on his door about y
o'clock; not knowing who the parties
were, and feeling somewhat afraid, he
refused to open the door, and 1T was
forced open, two parties entering,
whom he recognized instantly, and
demanded his money. He begged,
but the toughs were determined, and
taking him by the throat choked him,
and with threats Of violence forced
him TO hand over his ten dollars.
They then left the house, telling him
they would kill him If he ever divulged
word in relation to what had trans
PRED. The man being old and intirm
kept the matter quiet, and had it not
been for later developments he proba-
bly, would never have divulged any por-
tiOn of it.
On Sunday night, January II, an
other scene of brutality was enacted
in this house by the same two ruttians,
this time wearing masks. He was
sitting in his house, his wife having
retired to bed. 1t was between nine
and ten o'clock, and fire was still
burning in the stove, also lighted
lamp was standing on the table. The
door was not bolted, but tub of
water was standing partially against
it, and just as he was about to retire
knock was heard. He demanded,
"who is there:?" The reply was, open
the door or we will break it down" He
refused and the door was burst open.
One of the parties fell over the tub.
When inside one of the rOughS grabbed
the lamp and smashed it against the
side wall. He then picked up the
broken lower part and grabbing the
old man by the throat, threatened to
kill him if he made a loud noise, at
the same time demanding his money.
He told them he had none; this did
not satisfy them. One of the masked
men held him and the other went to
the bedroom and pulled his aged wife
out of bed and searched the clothing
she had on; searched her bed, and gen.
orally through the room. but found no
money. Being demonstrated with they
told the old man that this was their
method of getting their living" At
this juncture both parties commenced
to search by the light of the open
stove door. The old man taking adj
vantage of the situation, sprang to
the door and called for help. This
sudden alarm frightened them and
they both ran, when moment later
gentleman entered the house, but
too late to capture either of the par
| ties.
The above is substantially the story
dS TeldUeu W a Zee hADEh lcpol ucl
Sunday morning by gentleman who
works by the side of the old man, and
who gives the information exactly as
related to him by the old man and his
wife. The informant also states that
the old gentleman went before the
grand jury Saturday, as he supposes,
to place the matter before that body.
If the facts are as above stated com
ments are not necessary at this time,
but further developments will be fur
nished in print with some startling
announcements. 1t is not the inten-
ton to give any of the names here, for
if the matter is before the grand jury
the near future will bring all to light.