The herald., 1896-02-06
A Bold Attempt to Hold Up An
Electric Car FOiIed
THE CONDUCTOR WAS GAME
A Big Revolver Had No Terrors for P.
p. Walker
Esgsesd the Hlghwayman In Conversation
and When an Opportunity Presented
ItssIf Knocked Him OF the Car

A bold attempt to hold up University
electric car No. l29 on the last trip in last
night was frustrated by the bravery of
Conductor F. P. Walker, who, by his cool
ness and presence of mind, unarmed as he
was got away with the would-be robber
armed with big six-shooter.
The car, in charge of Conductor Walker
and Moterman NJ, H. McComas, left Uni
versity station OH the return trip at 1O:42
O'Clock last night. There were no passen-
gers ,a on board when the car started, but at
lhlrty-sixth street o medium.sized, thin
faced man, with o thin high nose. on
the bridge of which was scar,
jumped on the rear platform. He
was decently dressed, wearing a
black hat, with light coat and trousers of
uncertain hue, and there was nothing in
his appearance to indicate that he was
other than passenger.
Conductor Walker was In the front part
OF the car when the man jumped on, and,
noticing that he had fare, started back
to collect it. Turning around he asked the
man for his fare. who, by way of answer,
M thrust the muzzle of a big shooter in
wnlker's face, at the same time saying in
low voice: "Shell out all your money;
want 1t, and want it quick"
- haven't any company money! replied
Walker, II turned it all in on the last trip
"Here. d.n you, shell out quick, say,'
SAID the robber, who still held the muzzle
OF the revolver in the conductors face.
Walker insisted that he had no money.
keeping up the talk with the robber. The
attention of the notorneer had not been
attracted to what was going on on the rear
platform. owing to the noise made by the
car. As the car was passing Thirty-first
street Walker, who had kept his eye on the
ronber during the whole time, caught him
n rvlpn n E<xn
flash landed his right fist In the highway
mans face, knocking him off the car. As
ne fell to the ground the revolver exploded,
but whether the robber shot at him or
whether the violent shock of his contact
with mother earth set the weapon off
Walker could not say.
HERALD reporter interviewed the
piucky conductor on his way to the power
mouse last night, and from him learned
the facts about his rather thrilling experi-
ence. ''No, | can't say that was scared
when the fellow showed the big revolver in
my face; that's the funny part of it. Twas
as cool as ever was in my life. seemed
70 realize mat my only chance was to sort
OF jolly the fellow along until could get a
chance ct him. and took the first oppor-
tuDity. When the whole thing was over
the scare came, and Mac says was as
white as sheet when I went out to the
front platform. OF course I can't say
whether the man shot at me or not,
but am inclined to think that he
did not, as could find no bullet marks on
the woodwork of the car. don't think he
was in much condition to shoot anyway,
Ihe only injury l sustained was q skinned
knuckle, which I think must have cut on
his teeth. The man was evidently green
hand at holding up cars, and If had had
my revolver with me, as I usually do, 1
would have had no trouble in getting him."
Walker is one of the Oldest conductors in
point of service in the employ of the COM
pany, and his conduct last night stamps
him as one of the best.
Mounted Officer ArguelIo, who was near
by, heard the shot and chased the robber.
who made his escape, owing to the officer
getting tangled up in a barbed wire fence,