St. Paul daily globe., 1893-08-28
THAT DIAMoND STUD
Made George Merritt Feel Sore a
Few Days Ago.

Made George Merritt Feel Sore n
Few Days Ago.
George Merritt, the proprietor of the
Columbian pool rooms, mad thrilling
experience with highwaymen Oh his
own door step, at l O'Clock Saturday
morning, and is considerably the
worse for wear, although he is able
to be about Nj Merritt was very
roughly treated. and his body is
q mass of bruises. The highWaymen
were not content with knocking MN
senseIess, but added to their deYiiiSh
work by kicking him in the spine and
stomach. On the back Of his head is a
huge bruIse and cut made from blud-
geUn or stuffed club, and his throat
IS extremely sore from the results
of the severe choking he received.
The story of Mr.. Merritt's experiences
( with the highWaymen is not little eX-
citing. The men. for there were two
of them. were evidently well posted as
TO their victims movements, and as 10
what time he generally reached
home after his days work.
They knew also that they
hada good chance to conceal themselves
on the premises. whien are on Bryant
avenue, near Iwenty-siXth street.
" nat the men were evidently after was
/ the beautiful diamond stud which Mr.
Merritt wore in his shirt front. and
which ne states is worth 5000. But the
men were nicely fOiled by Mr.. Merritt,
who displayed great presence Of mind
and courage.
The men mad their plans laid we'll
At O'Clock, when Mr.. Merritt turned
into his yard and stepped onto the
porch, sOmu unaccOuntabIe impaiSe
n RI, n a 4
Just in time to see one man spring from
the ground from the shelter of lilac
bush. another from the shadow under
the edge OF the stOOp. BefuFe he had
time TO make an Outcry he received a
blow in the back OF the head which
felled him like an OK. lie still was con-
sciOus enough to know the object Of his
asSaIlants, and tore his diamond stud
from his shirt front, and slipped 1t into
his pants pockets. The movement
was not noticed by the thugs. who
continued to heat the unfortunate men
until ne became unconscious. One of
them rolled MT. Merritt under the edge
of tile porch into the dark shadow, and
gTIpped his throat until he was nearly
dead. while the other Snatched his hand
from his pocket, and tore ring from
his finger, iuhlctlng j severe cut III the
act.
By this time the noise of the scuf1 g
and the fall had attracted the attention
of AIr. Warner, VINO lived next door.
and the latter jumped from bis bed and
grabbed his revolver. At first he could
see nothing OF the men or their
victim. and Mr.. Warner about con-
Guided that the gasps ne heard was
dog. when he caught sight of
Mr.. Merritt's legs. Warner then
Jumped outdoors and shouted for aid.
at the same time pulling The trigger of
his gun numb ber of times. The weapon,
unfortunately, was not loaded. aId the
assailants made good their escape
( wholly unhurt. Mr.. Warner at once
made his way to 8Ir. Merritt. who
was found unconscious, and car
RED him into the house. Mrs.
Merritt had not up TO this time heard
the noise. and was not aware of the
peril in which her husband had been
placed until he was carried into the
house. The thugs were wholly fOited
III their attempts and secured nothing
but the finger ring. As it was very
dark Mr.. Merritt did not see his
assailants ana can furnish the police no
description OF them.