The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-08-26
THE LEscHr PARK ROBBERY.



Stole His Watch and MONEY.
The case of Jack Thompson. the gam
bier charged with completely in the rob-
berry of Cyrus N Rogers by Fatty" Myers
and John Sweeney, at Leschi park on
August 7, was up for q preliminary hear
ing before Judge Glasgow yesterday after
noon, but progressed no farther than the
hearing of Rogers testimony. The latter
told an apparently straight story on direct
examination, but under the cross-fire Of
the attorney for the defense some very
weak spots were developed Still he did
not contradict himself nor bubble the
least bit. Every answer was in accord
ance with his first story
His testimony on direct examination
was word for word as related in the Posi-
IErELLIeEscER of August Is. He said he
was agent for the Wells-Fargo Express
Company at Mojave, CAL, and made trip
north to spend vacation, as he was sick.
He arrived here on August 6. and nextday
went to Leschi park. where he met
stranger who atterward proved to be
Sweeney. They engaged in conversation.
and later on were joined by Myers. who
was also stranger to him and pretended
to be stranger to Sweeney. They were
on the farther side of the pavilion. and
after talking while Myers introduced four
monte cards, the outcome of which
was that Sweeney bet and won, and they
tried TO get Rogers to bet but he refused.
saying he never gambled. Myers stepped
behind him and when he pulled out his
pocketbook few seconds later to get the
card of man in Olympia about whom he
wanted to inquire of Sweeney. Myers
ha4 - ali dar ad
$40 bill, out of the book. He then pulled
out his watch to see what time it was and
Myers took this away from him also. He
protested as much as he dared with safety.
and Sweeney also pretended TO urge Myers
to return the property as Rogers was ill.
Myers refused and. as Rogers was partic-
ularly anxious about the watch, Sweeney
asked Myers how much he would take
for it. He replied that he would take $50
and Sweeney said he would bring friend
who would buy the watch for Rogers and
he could redeem it when they reached town.
He then, while Rogers watched Myers
went around to the opposite side of the
pavilion and brought Jack Thompson,
whom he introduced as Col. -, the
witness not being able TO recall the name.
Rogers said nothing to Thompson.
Sweeney doing all the talking. but Thomp-
son paid the $50 and told Sweeney he
would hold him responsible for repay
ment. Thompson and Rogers then started
for the city together. the latter intending
to get enough money to redeem the watch.
but he never did so.
Under the cross-examination Rogers
said he made no protest when Myers
snatched the bill, and inside of minute
i0ta he wa al RI
see what time il was and remarked that
he would have to return TO the city. He
was still holding the pocketbook in his
left hand, and Myers had not even put
in his pocket the bill he had just
taken. Before Rogers got his watch
| back in his pocket Myers grabbed
| his wrist with one hand and
| with the other unlocked the
watch, leaving the chain in perfect condi-
| ton dangling to his vest. He did not drop
the empty pocketbook he had in the other
| hand in order to resist. He then told
| Sweeney that Myers had robbed him. He
supposed all the time that Sweeney had
nothing TO do with the outrage. and when
| Thompson was brought up he felt that he
too was disinterested party, yet he never
| intimated in Thompson's presence. that
| Myers had robbed him. but permitted
| Thomson to purchase his own watch for
| him at the solicitation of Sweeney. His
| explanation of this was that he did not
| wad get mixed up in any court pro-
| ceedings and be detained here as witness.
Four days later he reported the affair to
the police and had Sweeney aud Myers ar
| rested. but even then he persisted TO Chief
| Jackson that Thompson was in no way re-
| sponsible for his being robbed and he did
not want to prosecute him. But after
| conversation with friend in the city, he
| changed his mind
The case was adjourned until o'clock
| this morning.
Sweeney an Myers have both skipped
ont and Mat Reese, who deposited the
| $50 bail for the two Of them on the state
ment of Detective Roberts that they
we're charged with gambling. has made
demand for the return OF
his bail money on the ground that the
charge was changed 10 grand larceny with
| out his knowledge He claims the defend
ants both appeared in court TO answer 10
the charge of gambling. and the failure of
the city attorney TO prosecute them on
| that charge releases the bail deposited by
1 him