The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-04
SHOT AT BY ROBBERS.
Charles Holcomb Has a Thrill
ing Experience.
QUICK ACTION SAVES HIS LIFE.
Three Highwaymen Hold Him Up Close
TO His Home-The Thugs Escape
Because Police Were Tardy.

Charles Holcomb, clerk in Guys drut
store. was attacked By three highway mer
and shot OF, within few feet of MS Owl
doorstep. 81 10 O'Clock last night He mar
rorIy escaped being killed. and bis rigni
ear is powder burned By the discharge o.
the revolver in the hands of one Of ths
higbwaymen.
Young Holcomb lives with his father. O.
n. HoIcomb, a. the corner Of Tenth and
Cherry streets. and left Guys drug stor
shortly before 10 O'Clock to go home,
Lighting cigar aud bustoning up bis over.
coat he walked along undisturDed until
his own gate vas almost reached Sud-
denly three men appeared in front OF him.
They seemed to have come up from no
where, for he did not notice them until
tall man said:
Say, give rs light"
Before HoIcomo could make move 70
comply with the request, smaller man,
who vas behind, leaned forward and. pok-
ing revolver in his face. shouted:
"Hold upi'
Taken by surprise. Holcomb threw up
his hand as quick as q fash, knocking the
pistol aside just as the bighvayman fired.
The bullet passed so close TO the young
mas head that his right ear was black
ened with powder. The explosion OF the
pistol so close 10 his ear nearly deafened
him, and ne gave frightened yell which
attracted the attention of his father. who
was in his sitting room a short distance
away. while the highwaymen fed incoDti-
nently.
Dir. Holcomb, recognizing his sons voice
sprang TO the door and ran out on the
sioop in time to see the three high way N en-
running as fast as they eouid down Cherry
street Two of them turned down jam 3
street and the third one ran in the oppo .
sise direction. As soon as he satisfied
himself that his son was not wounded. Mr..
Hoicomb teiephoned TO police head quar-
ttrs. and Officer John Kelly started out in
eli haste.
When the shot was fred Officer W. T.
Barr, o. the mounted police, was in the act
Of retiring at his home about block away.
Jumping into his clothes, he rushed out
ana blew his whistle loud and long, bat the
officer on the beat did not answer the call.
He was noEhsrs to De found, and the three
robbers had disappeared. Although all
the residents within block were attracted
TO their doors by the shot and the whistle
no officer appeared.
When Officer John Kelly started for
Tenth and Cherry streets he saw q man
running as hard as he could down James
street from Fifth. He followed. and at the
corner Of Third street the fellow turned
up that street. A second later the officer
rounded the corner. but no ons was in
sight The officer, now ashadow. crouched
behind telegraph pole. and, walking over,
found the fellow in hiding.
hat are you doing there7' demanded
the officer
aI'm waitin' for nv friend" replied
the man as the officer pulled him INTO the
light; I'm goin' TO jump out and scare
him when he comes along"
The soswer was not satisfactory, and he
was taken to police headquarters, and held.
Mr.. Hoicomb and his son were sent for.
They could not positively identify the pris-
oner as one OF the highwaymen, bat said
he was the same size. and had on an over
coat similar 10 those worn BY the men.
he gave his name as W. Saunders. and
was locked up on suspicion. Three 9th n
men were also arrested, bat were released
on being brought TO headquarters.
Young Ho.comb described his assaiIan,s
as wearing dark clothing. and long dark
oyercoass- One OF them was a tall. rather
slender man, and the other two were
shorter. and OF heavier build A more de-
tailed description was given the detectives.