The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-21
AT A RIFLES POINT.
How Charles Wente Says He
Signed a Check for $1,000.
PRISONER UNTIL 1T WAS PAID.
Caught in Julius Conrad's House at
O'Clock in the Norning-A
Suit to Recover.

Charles Wente, proprietor Of THE
Rookery" restaurant at 123 South Third
street, brought suit in the superior court
yesterday 10 recover 81, 200 from julius
Conrad, whom he charged with obtaining
that sum fraudulently. He claims that
Conrad, who owns a saloon on the north
west corner of South Third and Washing
ton streets, com PEELED him, ct the point of
q rifle, to sign his name to check for
$500. The affair is said to have taken
place in Conrad's house, at GIG Cherry
street, on Thursday morning last at 3
O'Clock.
The attorneys for Wente, Winsor &
Farwell. allege in their complaint that on
the morning in question, at the hour
named. Conrad. in his own house, threat
ened Wente's life, covered him with rifle
and gave him the option of signing his
name to check for 81 200, which amount
he had on deposit in the First National
bank, or of having hole shot through
him. Wente signed the check and then
Conrad held him prisoner until 10 O'Clock
in the morning, at which hour the bank
opened. Conrad presented the check for
payment and received the money after
which Wente was released.
The circumstances Which led up to the
trouble are not yet known. 1t is said that
Conrad had been absent from the city for
two weeks, prospecting near Fish Lake, in
the Cascades. and only returned home on
Thursday morning. Early last Thursday
morning there was wreck at Black River
Junction, and the west-bound train, being
delayed, did not arrive in the city until
nearly three O'Clock. On that train was
Conrad; so his difficulty with Wente must
have occurred very short time after his
arrival home.
Wente, who has acted nervous and
frightened ever since Thursday, is as
close-mouthed as q clam, but Richard
Winsor one of his attorneys, last evening
said:
~ am not at liberty to tell what know
about the case for it came to me in pro-
fessional way. but when the truth is
known it will develop a very unusual state
of affairs. Whatever circumstances led up
to the forcible action of Conrad will cut 10
figure in this case, although it is possible
the defendant will endeavor to excuse him
self by telling of some things leading up
to the main event. The fact remains that
Wente was compelled at the point of a
rife 10 give up $1,000 and it is nothing
else than robbery"
Mr.. Conrad said that he was taken COM
pletely by surprise when the papers in the
suit were served on him, and he declined
to make statement, but said:
Il have lived on the Coast for twenty
five years and am known to every business
man in town. was formerly in the dry
goods business, but drifted into the liquor
business. l have always paid my bills and
owe no man. l am guilty of no criminal
act and will remain where l am and face
the charge. will live in Seattle until /
die. Wente can lose his reputation. for
he will leave here in ali probability.
When he is in Germany or
some other place will be in Seattle and
have the confidence of business men. At
the present time | can make no statement
concerning the case"
Wente was afraid last evening that GER
tain unknown individuals would attempt
to do him harm and, acting on the advice
of his attorney. he kept Oft the streets and
rented room in another part of the city
from that III which ne has been living.