St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-07
ROBBED And RAPED.
Three Robbers Boldly Assault
Erhard Hermann
AND CARRY AWAY HIS MONEY
Almost Forced to Do Murder
to Secure So,
I'M SIGHT OF ROKDO STA7I0K
Evidently the Gang Is EN-.
boldened by Success.
I'M SIGHT OF ROKD0 STATION
A CITIZEN REGISTERS A KICK

Erhard Hermann keeps saloon on
the corner of Western and st. ANTHONY
avenues. His place faces two vacant.
untenced blocks, but otherwise is in the
midst OF a thickly settled residence Sec
lion. From the side window of his bar
room one can look into brightly lighted
Rondo street station, 800 feet away.
Thursday evening Herr Hermann,
VINO is blunt, honest old German, was
kept quite busy passing out beer in
grasses, pitchers and 'cans." But about
IL O'Clock the rush ceased, and the tired
old man sat down. as he says. ITO read
a little German paper" Presently
three men entered, and Hermann rosa
to wait on them.
so that the public may understand
the situation, ii may be stated that Her
mann's barroom is large and scantily
furnished. The money drawer is an
old-fashioned one III the beer bar.
which fastens with spring that rings
bell when 1t is opened. 1t is quite close
to the open end of the bar, and on ac-
count of being out of order has been
only partially closed of late.
The robbers evidently knew these
factS by previous observation. On en-
tering one stood near the door, while
second went to the far end of the bar.
The third stood about at the center and
ordered three beers. AS Hermann
stopped for the glasses the man at the
extreme end of the bar stepped around
and pulled the money drawer out
bodily.
The old man Strengthened up in time
to see this, and started around after the
thief. At once the man who had, or
dered the drinks got in his way, and
was angrily pushed aside. Then Her.
mann found himself facing gun with
hole in it as big as his finger. 1t was
in the right hand of the man who had
fingered near the door.
! When his left eye was almost against
the barrel the excited saloon man
stopped; and as he did the fellow he
had pushed ont of his way hit him on
the side of the head with what the old
man calls ''sand sack" The blow
staggered him, but did not bring him
down. Before he could recover the
three highwaymen had disappeared.
Hermann at once went to the station
and reported the affair. Asked last
night what was done, he shrugged his
shoulders, waved his hands ana let it 90
at that. Yesterday morning he found
his till III the vacant lots across the
street, and outside the door picked up
some small silver shaken out of the
drawer as the thieves fled.
The latter are described as a tall man
dressed in a suit resembling police
mans, but without the brass buttons,
and a cap pulled down 10 conceal the
face; medium-sized man of light COM
plexion-the one ordering the drinks,
and who had been in the place the day
before, Hermann thinks. wearing gray
suit of clothes and Elack slouch hat,
with rim turned down i'll front; the
third "a liddle feller," the till snatcher,
who escaped any particular notice.
The three thieves who robbed Her
mann undoubtedly went there prepared
to do murder, if necessary, to escape
with their booty. 1t is surmised they
are the same who beat and robbed En-
geliried Wittmer two weeks ago, i'll his
saloon, corner Randolph and Victoria,
who have never been caught. William
Twombly was ''held up" Wednesday
night by three at the point of big,
black gun such as Hermann describes,
and it is not impossible that the same
gang is taking advantage of the passive
humor of the lily bobs" and the lax
backbone of the mayor to CLEAN
harvest. The strike always for ready
money or jewelry of value; but in the
Hermann case the haul was light
about $S-the old man having, as he
tells it. taken the bulk of his money to
the house at supper time.