The herald., 1896-11-06
G. r. Smith Gives Up His Cash
at the Guns MuzzIe
A STRANGER IN THE CITY
Makes an Acquaintance in the Oil Field
and Comes 10 Grief
Another Man Met in a Ravine, and the
Pair Relieve the Missourian of All
the Money in His Possession

A holdup in broad daylight and with
In sound and almost sight of the busiest
section Of the oil field took place yester-
day afternoon about o'clock, the vic
tim, George r. Smith, being relieved of
$S3 in coin and bills under the persua-
sive power of a huge Al held under his
nose. by one man while another rified
his pockets of valuables.
Mr.. Smith is stranger in the city,
arriving only about a week ago from
Springfield, Mo-, with his wife, with the
intention Of making this his future
home. He is stopping with his wife's
brother at Monrovia, but on Wednes-
day afternoon decided to come to the
city and look around little. In his
pocket he carried a few dollars in
change and in charlois leather belt
around his waist, under his clothing, $50
in bills.
He went out to the oil field yesterday
afternoon to look over the ground and
gather some idea of the extent of the
industry. While strolling about he met
a well-dressed middle-aged man who
seemed, like himself. to be merely look
ing around for information and amuse-
ment. A few words passed between
them, the stranger remarking on the
size of the field and incidentally drop
ping word or two to the effect that he
himself had been here but a couple OF
days and was looking about for an in
vestment The two strolled around for
an hour and finally had about covered
the oil field.
Smith then suggested that they go
over the hills a little way to the west and
look at the land as he had an idea that
he should like to figure on purchasing
lot or two in the city The stranger
went along. They proceeded over the
brow of a hill and down a little gully
hardly three hundred yards from the
edge of the oil field AS they walked
along chatting, Smith noticed a man ly-
ing down on the ground upon an over
coat, whom they were approaching. AS
they neared the stranger he rose to his
feet and stepped to one side bit
Neither Smith nor his companion ap-
parently noticed him, but Just as they
got abreast of him Smith was surprised
by having his quondam friend of the
afternoon shove a big revolver under his
nose, with the command: Hands up,
and be lively about it, He was taken
utterly by surprise and at a disadvan-
tage, as he had no weapon of any kind
about him. consequently raised his arms
in the air. His companion kept him COW
cred while the stranger who had been
lying down deftly went through his
pockets. Every cent he had in change
about $3.40. and the contents of his
money belt were taken. The robbers
looked at his watch, a silver timepiace
with a peculiar face without hands, the
hours appearing in Arabic numerals
through an opening. 1t was evidently
too dangerous a piece of jewelry to ham
die on account of it's peculiar construc-
ton, so they obligingly told Smith to
keep it.
When he had been thoroughly cleaned
out he was told to make tracks back
over the hill as rapidly as possible, and
not to look around, either, which order
he perforce complied with. He at once
struck out for the car line, but did not
have money enough to pay his fare.
Four copper cents were all that was
left in his pockets. Coming down town
he sought friend with his story, and
was advised to make immediate report
to the police. To the detectives he re-
lated his tale and described the rob-
bers.
His acquaintance of the afternoon
was a we'll dressed man of about 40,
dark hair and mustache, wore white
shirt. dark clothing and derby hat,
medium height, weight about 160 pounds.
The fellow they met in the ravine was
taller and of lighter b..l He had
ed well. his clothing being well worn.
He wore a black hat and soft cotton
shirt. Smith AYERS that he could rec
ognize the men anywhere, and will do
all in his power to assist the detectives
in running them down.
Since his departure from ST. Louis,
little over two weeks ago. Mr. Smith has
had his share of misfortune. Just after
he left that city for Springfield, his
home, his train was IN collision with an
other head on, eight persons being
killed. Smith is an old railroad man
himself. and happened to be on the
platform OF the smoker in time to see
the collision was inevitable and jump
thus saving himself When he and his
as the Kansas line was reached some
miscreant threw a rock through the car
window, breaking his arm above the
elbow. 1t was set. and they travelled
on. Near Hutchinson, Kansas, the To-
comotive broke down, and for twenty
six hours they stopped on a wind-swept
prairie, with the snow foot deep watt
ing for help. Now he has been robbed
within a week after his arrival in his
new home.
Mr.. Smith is no spring chicken. and
was at one time city marshal of Sioux
Falls. Dakota. He was completely
dumbfounded by the audacity and dar-
Ing of the robbers operating in broad
daylight in sight of two or three houses
and so near a district full of workmen
one of whom might have come in sight
at any moment He now regrets ex-
ceedingly that he did not carry his gun
as is his custom but is perhaps inclined
to think that it was best the way it
turned out as If he had he would have
showed fight. and have furnished case
FOR the coroner, instead of merely losing
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