Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-30
UiGUvAYMEy on "GOLD BRICK"
Mr.. Ifas.inS's StCry Of Robbery
Makes tbc Police Suspicious.
Cs,.n \

There Is a suspicion among the Newark
police that Charles T.. Haskins Of Har-
rlson, n. j.. bought a gold brick on
March let. The suspicion Is due to the
| fact that 1t was not until Tuesday that he
| disclosed to the Harrison police toe fact
| that he been robbed Of S20GS by two
smooth young men who met him on the
| road between Harrison and Lyndhurst
| Tie story came out only because Asa
Haskins. the old gentleman's son. Insist
| ed that he should report the robbery TO
the authorities The way Mr. Haskns
| tells the story leaves the gold-brick ele-
ment out Of it. and makes the finished
skill of the operators appear mucn hKe
mere brutality
Mr.. Haskias IL a rich man. He began
| as one Of the earliest Erocers in Harrison,
commonly known as East NeWark), ana,
finding the business too slow for his
views, embarked in the plumbing bust
ncss, and from that went into real estate
and lending money upon mortgages. In
| this way he secured considerable pro-
perry, and became one of the heaviest
| landowners in Hudson county. He was
always cautious as on investor, and
economical to a marked degree. but on
one Of the last days Of February he was
| tempted by a brilliant offer made by
man who visited him At his home. and
made himself known as Mr.. Atkins. Of
| Brooklyn. brother of a woman VINO was
| compelled 10 sacrifice $1,000 worth of
property to raise ready money The young
man obtained lot Of information about
Mr. Hasklns's holdings in RUTHERFORD Ar
| lington. Kinssland, and Lyndhurst, and
expressed desire TO see some OF II, but
| at the last minute Mr.. Haskins backed
| Of fpt N 90 In AriinufOn
| that afternoon.
on the following day h went 10 Ruther-
| fcrd to receive n final payment upon
| mortgage. He doesn't remember saying
| anything TO the young man about this
matter but on March lst. when return
| ing on foot from Arlington to Harrison.
he was overtaken by the same MIR. At
| kins who called upon him the previous
| lay. According To ~. Hasknss story.
| he young man expressed surprise at
seeing him, AMI Invited him 10 ride.
shortly aftorWarl they overlook another
| alan. who was waking along the road
| and who asked for a lifi. Mr.. Atkins
| made room fcF him in the buggy. and they
| we're all engaged in conversation when
| MIR. Atkins asked the stranger TO hold
| The reins while lie lit cigar. The
| stranger complied. and rs soon as his
! hands were free Mr.. Atkins seized Mr..
| ilSk'nS ly me tnroa,, ana began 10
| choke him. Mr.. Hdskns Is quite athletic,
/ and made such vigorous resistance that
| both toppled out Of the buggy into the
| road, while the stranger. who looked like
a Hebrew. sat stol!dly holding the horse.
| IN the struggle which ensued In the road,
| Mr.. Atkins secured Mr.. fIaskinss roll
| # money. and. jumping to his feet. drew
| revolver and threatened 10 s)ut ball
| through Nr. Hasknss head II he moved.
| Then the highwayman jumped into the
buggy and drove swiftly toward jersey
| CITY.
| This IL .lr. Haskins's story. told al Il
| late day. SO late, indeed. that the police
have no hope OF identifying the robbers
! What Is unfold IL left entirely TO specu-
| lation. and the police OF Harrison are
| specializing.
| The usual course Is 10 invite the guile
| less landowner out on n ride to Inspect
| some Of his property. with n view to
| purchasing II at ridiculously high figure
| and then 10 meet Il stranger with a bunco
| layout or a gold brick. Perhaps II was
| varied in an original manner in this case