The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-11-16
Treasurer of the Indiana, Illinois & Iowa
Railway Company Knocked Sense
less in His Office.
$4,000 TAKEN FROM HIM
All the Money in Envelopes Ready
to Be Paid to Employees.
Robbers Who Held Up the p, E. & ID.
Train Captured at Lincoln, Ill.-Shot
by Burglars-Other Crimes.

CHICAGO. Nov. 15.-One of the boldest
robberies in the history OF Chicago occurred
this morning in the Rookery, one of tie
largest and best known Office buildings in
the city, and situated in the heart Of the
business district. J.. a. Drake, treasurer OF
the Indiana, Illinois & Iowa railroad, was
assaulted in his Office in the building and
robbed of many thousands of dollars which
he had packed in a valisc preparatory 10
going out upon the road to pay the en-
ployes. A mail carrier, in passing Dir.
brakes Office, heard groans Within. and
upon entering found the official lying upon
the floor, bruised and In a semi-conscious
condition.
i've been robbed by two men," said Mr..
Drake feebly, and the open safe. overturned
valise and scattered papers confirmed his
statement. Mr.. Drake had evidently re-
ceived rough treatment Big welts on his
head bore evidence of savage blows. He
had but little TO say, but the sum Of $4,000
was mentioned as missing, and IL was soon
understood that the robbers had made away
with that amount. Soon the news Of the
robbery had spread through the big Office
building, and all kinds of wild tales were
circulated. The central station detectives
were notified and Inspector Shea's men put
to work on the case. The assaulted treas
urer was able to get on his feet in a few
hours, and left the building.
The assault occurred about z o'clock.
when there were but few people in the
building. No one about the place remem-
bers OF having seen suspicious characters.
and dense mystery surrounds the affair.
The result of a long conference between
officials Of the road and Inspector Shea
throws but little light en- the matter. Mr..
Drake came down early this morning."
said Inspector Shea, ito. secure MONEY to
pay off along the line. He took $4,000
from the safe, intending to leave on the
7:3O train. He was followed into the Office
by two ordinary-looking smooth-faced men
and struck down and the $20,000 taken. He
was struck on each temple, and his head
bears the marks OF the blows"
Have you any clew to work on?'
"Um, well, it shows that people who COM
mitted the robbery were well acquainted
with Mr.. brakes movements, and knew
the day he would leave with the money TO
pay off,"
Drake was struck as he was leaving the
vault, as the position in which he was
found on the floor indicated. He could
give no very accurate description of the
robbers, but indicated that they were
heavy men and wore large listers. While
Mr.. Drake lay semi-conscious on the floor
the robbers unlocked his valise and scooped
the pay envelopes in the large pockets OF
their ulsters. This work required but a
moment, and they then hurriedly made
their escape. The robbery caused intense
excitement Business was almost at a
standstill in the neighborhood during the
day. and employers and clerks were equal
ly excited over the sensational theft.
The Office of the Indiana, Illinois & Iowa
Railroad Company is in charge of Sidney
S. Whitehead, general agent for Chicago.
L. NJ. Drake. president of the road, has
been out Of the city for several days, and
his son. John a. Drake, the treasurer.
only arrived here yesterday. 1t has been
the custom of the treasurer to pay the en-
ployes Of the road in checks. Had the
custom been continued the startling rob-
berry would not have been attempted at
all. in all probability, but within the past
week the officials of the company decided
to pay the men in currency. 1t is thought
probable the robbers learned that this
months wages would go cut in currency.
from a circular which was issued the first
Of the month announcing that wages would
thereafter be paid in cash instead OF
checks. These circulars were distributed
all along the railroad among the employees,
and one of them could very easily have fall
len into the hands OF one of the thieves.
The company pays its men twice a month.
on the 1st and the 18th, and it was TO
| make the last November payment that
Treasurer Drake was starting out to do
when the robbers attacked him and stole
the SO, OCO which was intended for the rail-
road men.
The news of the robbery created a hustle
at the Central station. the like of which
has not been seen since assassin Prender-
CAST was brought there after shooting
Mayor Harrison. The police overhauled
many suspects, and tonight it was reported
that detectives mad arrested two men at
a depot who refused to give an account
of themselves, and that they were locked
up at the Central station. None OF the off,
GERS would admit that an arrest had been
made.
ADyIrI,V II az DOnnEDC