The record-union., 1894-10-26
A TINHORN DESPERADO'S EXPLOIT.
He Demands the Contents of Captain
Hawks Safe,
But Compromises for Ten Cents-His
FarcIcal Attempt to Escape
to the Woods.

A youth who says his name is Frank
Jones committed daredevil act in this
city yesterday that would indicate that
he got his schooling in crime in the wilds
of Oklahoma or Colorado, where genuine
desperados of the Dalton type levy trib-
ute on city and town banks at the point
of the pistol whenever they run short of
money. Or else he has been reading
stories of Cheap John criminals until his
mind has turned.
1t was during the noon hour, a little be-
fore o'clock, that Captain L. L. Hawk
was sitting IL his real estate and insur-
Rnce Office at 1907 Fourth street. Mrs.
Hawk had just been in the Office to con-
suit her husband on some matter. and
she had barely left the place when the
latter turned to his desk to examine some
papers.
Captain Hawk was sitting with his
back to the door, when he heard some
one enter from the street and go behind
The counter. Supposing it to be some in
tlmate friend, he did not look up until he
heard the command:
open that safe ~
Hawk, still supposing it was some
friend who had adopted that peculiar
mode OF salutation by way of joke,
wheeled slowly about in his revolving
chair, when he found himself docking
down the barrel OF pistol' held by a
strange young man, the expression of
whose face showed that he was not jok
ing.
lie was perfectly selt-possessed, and as
ne held the weapon pointed at hawk
there was not the tremor of a muscle.
II he situation did not phase the little
real estate man, either. Strange and
a hn hn aFi
could not realize that there, at the
midday hour, while people were passing
the door within ten feet of where the
visitor stood. the fellow really meant
what he said. Indeed, the opening of
the safe was the tarthest from Hawks
thought just then.
The visitor became impatient at Hawks
coolness and apparent intention not to
obey his demand, so he repeated il, still
covering Hawk with the pistol. He added
that he wanted the money in the safe, and
he wanted it Instantly.
There's no money in that safe.' re-
piled Hawk, calmly, 'but If it's money
you want L have TO cents here in my
pocket. You may have the dime, but pII
keep the half"
With that he tossed dime upon the
counter, and the stranger began TO back
away toward the door, but still keeping
his pistol pointing at Hawk. He picked
up the dime. backed to the door and went
out, going In the direction of J street.
Captain Hawk got his hat and followed,
lie saw the fellow turn the corner OF j =,
going toward Third street, and when he
lHaWk) got to the corner the man was
haIt-Way down the block and running
dlagonally across the street toward Wach-
horStS JeWelry store. Hawk followed,
tnlhklng ne might meet policeman, but
blue-coated officers are not very thick
about the streets, and he met none
Reaching Third street Jones (as the fell
low calls hlmseIt) turned toward |, Hawk
still being about half-block behind MIN.
AT street Jones turned westerly and
walked quite briskly TO Front, where he
turned down toward j.
Hawk met Officer Higgins at Front and
streets and pointed out the man to him.
AS soon as higgins started after the fellow
the latter broke into run. The officer is
quite f1eet OF foot, but the other was even
more so, and he led Higgins at a lively
pace up j street.
On reaching Second street Jones drew
his pistol, and from there to Third street
no one dared attempt to intercept him
At the corner of Third and streets stood
the horse and buggy Of Mrs. Louisa Ronat
OF Walshs Station, and the ten-cent des-
perado sprang into the vehicle, gathered
up the lines and attempted to make his
escape down Third street.
But 1t was woman's horse, old and de-
crepit, and despite the fellows efforts TO
lash him into gallop the poor brute only
hobbled along over the rough cobbIe-
stones. That was an unfortunate venture
for the alleged Frank Jones, for officer
higgins was soon up with him and over
hauled the rig before it had gone two
thirds OF the block. The occupant of the
buggy still had his pistol in his hand and
dehed the officer, but Higgins had him
covered with his own weapon, and dis
armed him before he could do any harm.
Capped pair of handouts on his wrists
and took him TO the City Jail.
Nhlle being locked up the reckless
youth expressed his regret that he had
not killed the officer. The gum he car
RED was about on par with his ten-ccnt
raid on Hawks office. II was next thing
TO toy, and had but two cartridges in
the chamber.