Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-09
SAT UP UNTIL MORN.
A Westerner Has a Very Strange
Sunday Night Experience
IN THE COMPANY OF A BAD CROOK.
The Eousebreaker Asks Him to Assist in
q Nefarious Job.
HISsAD STORY RELATED TO A REPORTER

trated in story told by Oliver S. Backus
a young man interested in the Little Mug
get mines near Denver. COL, last night. He
stopped over last Sunday in Pittsburg or
his way to New York. and being of a wild
Western spirit concluded to 60 out aftel
dark and enjoy himself as best he could.
Being accustomed to the Sunday night
openness of free and easy resorts so COM
mon in Denver, he started out expecting to
enjoy himself listening to an alleged sacred
concert, and putting away copious quaint.
ties of liquid refreshments. In this he was
disappointed, however, for he soon discov.
cred that the rigid laws on Sunday closing
handicapped him considerably and it was
even betting he would not get drink at all.
In his wanderings he met gentleman
whom he asked if he could direct him to
some locality or place where drink of the
Teutonic beverage could be obtained "Cer-
tainly," said the affable fellow. 'T am
just going for an satisfying draught N.Y.
self"
Afraid He Was Being Bunkoed.
The newly-made friend was well dressed
and seemingly we'll acquainted with the
city. He was good talker. and his con-
versation was on subjects. of general inter-
est, such as manufactures and the large re-
sources which Pittsburg had for improving
itself He deplored the fact that its Sum
days were SO uninviting to the stranger
within its gates and bitterly denounced the
Law and Order Society. Mr.. Backus was
not an unsophisticated Westerner, and took
pains to watch his new acquaintance for
fear he would give him wrong
"steer," in the parlance of the bunko man.
The Pittsburger had plenty of money and
spent it freely when a "speak-easy" was
tion, but said it was near the Monongabela
river. His description of it agrees with a
well-known resort in the First ward which
is frequented very literally by good class
of people on Sunday night. The two sat
and slipped beer until about u o'clock, when
the Westerner proposed, in return for the
Pittsburger's kindness, that they go and get
q bite of lunch. The invitation was readily
accepted by the new, accommodating
friend.
They went to an all-night house on Wood
street, where they satisfied their appetites.
After finishing, Mr.. Backus said he guessed
he would go to his hotel-the Schlosser.
The two walked slowly down Fifth avenue,
when the stranger, who had before made
himself so agreeable. stopped several times
before big business houses and looked care
fully at the windows, doors, ETC. He told
to enter any of the houses which
ran through from Fifth avenue TO
Virgin alley. The Westerner didn't pay
much attention to his companions observa-
tion, but the latter pressed the subject, and
quietly sounded Mr.. Bakus as to his STAN
ina and nerve; if he would assist him in
COB" and share in the plunder and respon-
sibility.
This question rather startled the Young
man from Denver, who now realized he was
in company with a desperate crook. He
had good Western courage, and was not
afraid of any personal injury, but the fact
of his being seen with the possible criminal
disturbed him quite little. He laughed
the mans proposition off as a joke, but in
wardly felt is as serious matter. He
hastily bid his new companion good night,
after thanking for his attention and kind
ness during the evening, and went into the
hotel Office, requesting of Clerk Statler his
room key.
Bound to Be Sure of m AlibI.
He started to 60 up stairs, but hesitated.
He was agitated about his nights expert
ence, and more particularly the strange end
ing of the nights adventure.
Visions of burglaries, safes blown open,
detectives, prison cells and other disagree
able things fitted through his mind. He
thought to himself ''if that two-faced
devil goes and commits some '.job" tonight
and is arrested, it is a moral certainty that
1 will be arrested as an accomplice, having
been seen with him all evening, and by men
who are of a sporting character. There
would be no redeeming evidence for me-"
1t was now nearly 1 o'clock in the morning.
The city was all quiet except from the
rattling noise of the heavy street sweepers.
He starts out determined to get proof to
clear himself if any store was robbed that
night, and his new friend arrested for the
crime. He went back to the restaurant
where number of newspaper men were
gathered eating their after-labor lunch. He
made himself very conspicuous, and
talked with the proprietor until broad day
light. 'It was long nights talk" said
Mr.. Backus, "but l was bound to prove an
alibi by that restaurant keeper if any ques-
tion ever came up regarding me in connec-
ton with that sleek gentleman g record for
that one night. I have been keeping the |
experience to myself, not intending to |!
divulge it, but 1 tell it to you just to show |
how man may be thrown against circum-
stances in the daily walks of life which |
might land him behind the bars The |
chances are many innocent people are con- |
victed on less circumstantial evidence than |
that have just related" Mr.. Backus went |
to New York last night on the fast line.
1t is said there are few crooks in town,
and it has only been a night or so ago when |
/ burglar alarm was sent in to the police |
rom a very prominent wholesale jewelry |
house on Fifth avenue.