The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-02-19
A BOLD ATTACK.
Two Masked Men Attempt to
Rob John A. Dillon.
AFsrful Fight Eosues in Which A
Lanterd is Turned Over,
renitine lot Of Hay--A Barn and Two
Sheds Destroy ed by Fire-The Partio'
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John A. Dillon, the milk dealer, who
lives at No. 62 Maple avenue, just back OF
the fair grounds had an experience Iast ,
Ion has a small estate, the house fronting
on Maple avenue and the barn was s,tuat-
ed back of the house alongside the CleVe-
land & Canton railroad. In the barn were
two ponies and a horse, two milk wagons
two buggies and large farm wagon
There was also about half ton OF hay,
two tons of straw, plows, cultivator ana
other farm tools. ,,,,
At7;i5 o'clock last evening Mr.. Dillon
went to the barn to feed his STOCK ne
scattered the bedding under the morse
and then came around to the north SIDE OF
the barn to give them hay. While IN tue
act of doing this he noticed man step IN
TO the barn He was tall heavily built
man, and his face was concealed under
red bandana handkerchief in which holes
were cut to enable the man 10 see' Mr'
Dillon thought it was gentleman WHO
lived near and paid no particular atten-
ton to him, thinking he was trying 10 play
entered the stable door. He also wore a
baudana handkerchief over his face
coupIrtpIy cOnCealng his features. lie
was "A short, stocky built fellow.
Mr.. Dillon 10y this time began to suspect
that trouble was brewing. He had some
into the manger. The manger being ihll
however, he was unable to get the nay
from the fork The larger man SAID To
Mr. Dillon: 1--WE want your money
Mr.. Dillon answered: "All the money l
have is in the house, Az TINS the sinalleT
man made a run at Mr. Dillon' VINO sun
had the fork in his hand, ondCavorlng TO
get il loose from the hay. This he accom-
nlished Just as the man reached him
Raising the fork he attempted to strike
the man with it, hut the prongs caught IN
the hay loft.
The larger man at this juncture ran in
and struck Mr.. Dillon in the face, knock
inc him hack several steps. The smaller
man still held on him and the two rolled
over struggling for the mastery. Mr. M
lon fell over a feed box and the man Tell
over on top of him. Dillon was the
stronger of the two, however, ana succeed
ed in getting his assaiant under. Inc
large man at this time essayed TO assist
his partner. This Dillon tried to stop 10y
kicking at the robber. He had on loose
pair of shoes and in his endeavor to Kick
| the man one of the shoes came oil. lhe
man immediately picked the shoe up and
running in struck Dillon stunning blow
| on the head with It. Dillon was stunned
and the big fellow ran his hand in Dillon's
pants pocket endeavorng to extract from
| it the money lie carried.
As he raised up after helping himself to
| some loose change, his head struck the
| lantern which had been hanging on a
! nail overhead, and casting faint glim'
mer of light over the uneven struggle
| The lantern fell, was turned over, and
| the hay Immediately ignited. I'VE bad
| better get out of here Dick,n the taller
! man said, and started toward the door
| Dillon still held on to the taller man, and
| a terrible struggle ensucd, the man using
| every effort to break DillOn's hold.
/ Al. A II / "a y
way to the hay loft, and the smoke was
| becoming sitting, he succeeded in break
| ing away, leaving his collar and portion
| of his coat in DjlOn's hands as souvenir
| of his visit. As he rlnaround the barn he
| shouted to Dillon, You had better get
| your horses OUT During the latter part
| of the struggle Dillon yelled murder and
| fire several times, and a few seconds af.
| ter the men bad disappeared help arrN'
! ed. 1t was too late to save the barn, but
| the horses were taken out, together with
! the two milk wagons, the large farm waC,
| on, a Cultivator and top buggy. A road
! buggy, all the tools and two plows were
| burned.
Tue barn was entirely consumed, to-
! gether with two sheds and a corn crib. An
| alarm was turned in and the fire depart
ment started for the scene OF the contla'
| grafton but were unable TO be OF any SER
| vice.
A News DEMOCRAT reporter called al
! Mr. Dillon's residence this morning and
found that gentleman viewing the remains
| of the barn. His face was Scared, and
bruises Oh his forehead and on the back
of his head told too plainly the story of
| the encounter. He described the larger
man as being light Completed, wore a
cap, and was comparatively well dressed.
He wore no overcoat but had his coat but
toned tight. The smaller man had short,
dark hair, wore a drab suit much the
worse for wear. Mr.. Dillon could not see
their faces as they were completely con-
cealed behind the handkcrchlefs. The
men started towards the city and one of
! them was seen by a man who had heard
| the cries of fire. He failed to recognize
| him as he was running rapidly.
Mr.. Dillon places his loss at $3.50. The
insurance is $500.