The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-11-23

Of birmingham would be to open the
way for numerous other gentlemen
and delegations, which are demanding
to be heard In apprehension of legisla-
tion that may effect their interests. a
telegram to this effect has been sent by
Senator Pugh's representative Of the
Commercial Blub of Birmingham. If
the delegation still persists In coming
to Washington, they will have to con-
views with the various members of the
committee, instead of receiving public
hearing.
Congressman Magner of New York
Is protesting vigorously against the
placing Of cotton bagging on the free
list and has announced to Democratic
members of the ways and means com
mittee that he will vote against their
bill If 1t contains this provision.
Congressman Bland of Missouri has
also come to the front lately In the role
Of one of those dissatisfied with the
proposed tariff bill, and is reported as
threatening to vote against the bill and
fight it on the floor OF the House if it
places wool on the free list.
AB,ld Robbery.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Nov. l5.-John A.
Drake, treasurer of the Indiana, Illi-
nois and Iowa Railroad Company, was
sandbagged and robbed of 100000 in
the office OF the company on the ninth
floor of the Rookery building ut Z
o'clock to-day. Drake had the money
in little hand satchel and was prepar-
Ing to 60 out on the road to pay the
employees He had first placed the cash
In the Valise and was about to leave
the office, when two men stole up be-
hind him and felled him to the floor by
SpVprQ1 hard hlnyUQ hnnI
treasurer was knucked nearly in en-
sible and ere he could move finger in
defense, he claims the thieves tore the
satchel from his hand and rushed out
or tt @ office, s!amming the door as they
went They rode down in an elevator
very unconcernedly and made their
escape.
Drake notified the central station as
soon as possible and 10y o'clock
ever detective that Inspector Shea
could spare Was put to work on the
case. 1t was the most daring sensa-
tlonal robbery that has occurred in
Chicago in many years. Occurring as
1T did in one of the best known Office
buildings in the city, right in the very
Heart OF the business district, the crime
Caused the greatest excitement The
early hour selected by the thieves is all
that prevented their Immediate Cap
ture. 1t has been the custom of the
treasurer to pay the EN- ployees Of the
road IN checks. Had the custom been
continued, the startling robbery
would not have been attempted in all
probability, but within the past week,
the officials of the company decided to
| pay the men in currency.
From the story told by Treasurer
Drake, 1t appears evident that the rob.
Ders knew or this change. In some
way they learned that Drake Intended
TO call at the office, get the money and
lake an early train. They must have
followed him into the building, around
the North corridor of the ninth floor
and waited until he had secured the |
money from the vault. They then
sprang on him, struck swift blows on
the mead with a weapon presumably
sandbag, and when he sank to the floor
e,seized the hand bag and sue
cessfully escaped into the street.
Where they went then detectives are
trying to find out. Every effort was
mad to keep the robbery secret
Mr.. Whitehead, General Agent of the
road was found at the Office in the
Rookery at ~ o'clock, and refused
at first to give any of the details of the
robbery, but finally said that the
amount of money stolen was about
$2O,0OO. Drake has been with the In.
diana Illinois and Iowa Railroad ever
slncelt was organized. lie and his
father, the President. are part owners
or the property.