The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-17

ton to George Sprague trainmaD in the
employ of the Southern Pacific, to rob tie
station at Boulder Creek Sprague told
Detective Harris. and was requested to
pretend to assent to AZof's proposition
and make arrangements with him to rob
the station
ION the night that 1.-THE robbery was at
tempted Detective harris, Charles Kelly,
40 assistant. and Constable Hartman of
Boulder Greek, concealed themselves 10
boXcar and watched Azoff and Spra que en-
ter the waiting-room of the station.
I'll, staten is divided IL 20 three parts.
At one end is the freight-sbed, at the other
the wgitinF-roOm The office is situated
between the two. counter faces the wait
ing-room and a window looks out on the
platform.
"Azoff went up TO the counter with
revolver in one hand and bag in the
other. He covered Agent Gass with his
weapon. aud demanded the money Of the
Office. telling tie agent to put it in the bag,
which he held in his left hand. and to be
quick about it, Sprague stood a short
distance behind Azof.
Just at this juncture Detective Harris.
who mad followed Azoff into the room. told
the robber to surrender, adding that be
was surrounded and covered.
'Azoff wheeled around and fred shot
at Harris. He evidently thought that
some one was watching him from window
and fired TWO shots through the window
and fed AS he rushed out of the door
Kelly fired three shots al him and COnsta-
BILE Hartman emptied bolh barrels of a
shotgun which he carried. 1t is thought
none of the shots hit the robber, who dis
appeared IN the darkness.
"Sprague was overpowered and hand
cuffed by Kelly aud Hartman, who were
not aware that he was playing a part TO
catch Azoff. l was summoned to attend
Mr.. Harris l heard him tell his assist
ants to release Sprague, and he explained
the situation to them.
Station Agent Gass and Constab BILE
Hartman both recognized Azoff as the
man who attem pied the robbery and shot
Harris.
~ know Azoff quite we'll continued DIR.
Allen, "as ] have treated him profession
ally. lie left B oulder Creek about three
years ago. He used to drive a delivery
wagon for Cunningham & Co., now Dough-
erty & Middleton. Some time ago Mr..
Middleton received letter from Azoff,
stated taat he had travelled a great deal
since he left Boulder Creek, and | think he
said he had been in Arizona. He is a mar
ried man and had one child when he left
Boulder Creek His wife and child went
witt him. AZOff seemed to be quiet sort
Of a man when be was IN Boulder Creek.
but he did not have pleasant cOnD-
tenance. BE is a Russian. about IS
years otage, but speaks English with very
little trace Of an accent. From his appear
ance i should judge that he had Tartar
Dlood IN hls veins or that of some other
Aslauc race He has a short. broad face.
Win a vide mouth ana very low fore
heao. lis complexion is light. His eyes
are deep-set in his head and have some
resemblance to those of Chinese. He is
rather snort OF stature and heavy set. If
he IS captured near Boulder Creek l would
NOT oe surprised to hear that he had been
Hncneu' as the feeling of the community is
very strong against him."
ID speaking of the injuries which Harris
received Dr. Allen, who accompanied the
"ounoeo man to his home. said that they
proved more serious upon a thorough ex-
animation man was at first thought.
"The bullet cut one of the intestines in
four places and passed out OF the hack
taking with it quite piece of the ilium'
or upper portion of the hin bone DR.,
Woolsey and | began an operation, bu,
finding that the case was soserious we had
assistance SUNNI Oned and Dr. Bull came
TO our aid. The wound was cleansed and
the intestiues sewed up. the patient under
going the operation under the influence of
ether l doubt if he will rally, as the
wound is q very dangerous one and the
bullet cut a very jagged passage"
DR.. Woolsey declared that there was no
hope for the recovery of Mr.. Harris.
The bullet entered the lower portion of
the abdomen near the groin, perforated