The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-10
HE WATCHED MR.. ROWLEY
A Highwayman Saw Him Counting
Over $500,
FOLLOWED HIM AND HELD HIM UP.

Shining Barrel of "a Revolver Held I'm
Jim RowIey's Face, But He shouts
So Loud That the ScOundreI Loses
His Nerve and Runs Away
A desperate attempt was made about
10 o'clock last night to bold up and rob
]. P Rowley, near his home at the cor
ner of Eighth and Monroe. and the foot
pad was thwarted by Mr.. Rowley's brav-
cry.
Mr. Rowley. who is city passenger
agent of the Santa Fe, was kept at his OF
fee rather late last night. The books
would not balance, and he worked with
them and with the money on hand until
after closing time.
He had $500 and this he counted over
and over behind the desk. If he had
looked around suddenly he would have
seen two eyes peering through the win
dow behind him, The man watched Mr..
Rowley eagerly as he counted the heap
of bills again and again. He kept we'll
in the shadow. however, so that he could
not be easily seen.
When he was satisfied that Mr.. Row
ley was in possession of large sum of
money he stole away and waited. he
was large man almost as tall as Mr..
Rowley but much heavier. He wore
white, soft hat which he pulled down
over his eyes and a light overcoat.
1t did not take the man long to decide
what to do. He found that Mr. Rowley
lived at $40 Monroe street and reasoned
that he would go home about 8 o'clock.
He took a revolver out of his hip pocket
and put it in his overcoat where he could
readily use il.
At about $50 the footpad heard an ap-
preaching step. It was coming down
ntTir1 str n ha hic and n 10
revolver and started up Eighth street.
Tho man he was watching crossed the
street and came toward him, but instead
of turning down Eighth as he expected
he went south on Quincy. Fearing that
his prey would escape him he Quickened
his step and passed the man not far
from the corner of Eighth. 1t was not
Mr.. Rowley but C. V. Wolfe, and the
stranger peered into his face with dis
appointed look as he passed.
The man soon returned aud again took
his station on Eighth street. In five min
utes he saw another man coming. As he
passed under the electric light the rob-
Der saw the man he was looking for.
He then started east for he saw that Mr..
Rowley would pass down on the north
side of Eighth street He walked rapid
ly and kept out of sight. When he
reached Monroe he hesitated moment
and then stole across the street.
In the park at the intersection of the
street there is a big elm tree and the
man lodged behind this tree and waited.
There is no electric light at the corner
and he felt safe from observation.
On came Mr.. Rowley, his head down as
if in deep thought. He crossed the street
and turned toward his home. He was
crossing the gutter, which is rather deep,
when suddenly a form doomed up before
him.
Put up your hands, quick. or Pll
Shoot" came a sharp, decisive voice, aud
Mr.. Rowley saw the bright barrel of a
revolver a few inches from his eyes.
Mr.. Rowley did not move for a second
and the robber seemed surprised. Then
again came the warning words:
Hurry up, or l will shoot"
"Shoot if you want to-" shouted Mr.,
Rowley, as he sprang to the right.
He struck in the gutter and fell on his
face. Raising himself and looking
around he saw the highwayman with up
lifted weapon coming toward him.
Then ME-. Rowley shouted He called
loudly for Mr.. Steinberg, who lives only
a fe W doors away.
The man hesitated, stopped and as Mr.
RowIey continued to call he ran north on
Monroe street and disappeared up an
alley.
Mr.. Rowley gave, the alarm at once,
but the footpad was not found.
Mr.. Rowley had put the $500 which
the man saw him counting, in the safe be-
fore he left the Office and he had but 80
cents in his pocket when the footpad at
tempted to hold him up.