Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1893-11-16
CHICAGO THUGS BUSY.
Two Successful Raids Made by
Daring Thieves.
THE ROoKBRYROBBERs GOT $2l ,oOo
In the Very Heart of Chioago's business
District Bold Thieves sandbagged Treas-
ure- Drake aud Escaped with a BagfuI
OF Cash.

CHICAGO, Nov 10 - It has Just been
learned that r. T. Mccormick, president
of the Mccormick Construction company
Of St Louis, was held up by three men ON
the towpath Of the Illinois and Michigan
canal Tuesday evening and package Of
money amounting TO s., 900 taken from him.
lie was returning to his headquarters from
Lockport and had with him the money,
which was to be used In peying of the Ia
borers. As he neared his camp three men
sprang upon him, and he found himself
looking down into two revolvers.
He complied with a request TO throw up
his hands, and the men took from him his
money satchel and ordered him TO walk on
without looking around. When he did turn,
the men had disappeared
Tho Rookery Robbery.
No clew has been found Of the men who
sandhsgged John A. Drake treasurer Of
the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Railroad
company, and robbed him of 81, 900 in the
Office of the company on the ninth floor Of
the Rookery building.
Mr.. Drake had the money in little hand
satchel and was preparing TO 20 out ON the
road TO pay the employees He had first
placed the cash In the valise and was about
behind him and folled him to the floor with
several hard blows on the head.
The treasurer was knocked nearly insen-
sible, and ere he could move finger in de
tense, he says the thieves tore the satchel
from his hand and rushed out of the Office,
slammng the door as they went They
rode down in an elevator very unconoern-
edly and made their escape
| Mr. Drake uotifpl tho Central "a faffnu uu
soon as possible, and soon every detective
that Inspector Shea could spare was put 10
work on the case
II was the most daring, sensational rob
berry that has occurred in Chicago in many
years. Occurring as IL did IN one Of the
best known Office buildings in the city
right in the very heart of the business dis
trict, the crime caused the greatest excite
ment.
Robbers Were Posted.
The early hour selected by the thieves IL
all that prevented their immediate cap
ture Ii has been the custom of the treas
urer TO pay the employees Of the road il
checks. Had the custom been continued
the startling robbery would not have heei
attempted in all probability, but within
the past week the officers of the companl
decided To pay the men in currency
From the story told by Treasurer Drak
# appears evident that the robbers knew a
this change In some way they Learned
that Mr.. Drake intended to call at th
Office, get the money and take an earl
train.
They must have followed him into th
building around the north corridor OF th
ninth floor and waited until he had 81
cured the money from the vault. The
then sprang upon him, struck him severa
swift blows on the head with a weapon
presumably a sandhag, and when he san
TO the floor insensible seized the preciou
handbag and successfully escaped into th
street.
Where they went then the detectives ar
trying to find out. Every effort was mad
TO keep the robbery secret. Mr.. Whit,
head, general agent Of the road, refused {
give any details of the robbery. but inall
said that the amount of money stolen wa
about S2l 900. Mr.. Drake has been with th
Indiana, Illinois and Iowa railroad eve
since il was organized. lie and his fathe
the president Aare part owners q the proI
erty.