New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
ROBBERS OF IuUIGRANTS.
THEY SEIZE N,l0O AND THE JEwELRY OF
TWO AUSTRIANS AT A PISTOLS POINT.

THEY SEIZE HloO AND THE JEwELRY OF
TWO AUsTRIANs AT A PISTOLS POINT.
Three ren who are alleged TO have robbed
Joseph Meska and Edward Nettle. two newly
rived Austrian immigrants. Of Nl0o in cash and
quantity Of valuable jewelry. at No 245 West Forty
second-st, on Thursday night, were arrested yes
terday in Hoboken by Central ONCE detectives as
they were preparing 70 leave the country with their
booty They are held in custody at Police Head
quarters in Hoboken, and the detectives on the
trail OF a fourth man. who is said 10 have insti-
gated the robbery. woman confederate Of the
gang known as Elsie STEINER who comes from a
Coney Island dance hail. is under arrest In this city
and has confessed all she knows Of the crime 10
Captain O. Brien. that the police confident Of
being able to lay their hands on every person
nected with the holdup.
Meska and Nette arrived In this country about
ten days ago. On the steamer coming over they
fell in with a stranger with whom they became
quite friendly. lie volunteered TO Introduce them TO
his brother who. he said, would help them along.
When the steamer got in the alleged brother ap
peared and was introduced He described himself
as John Sandow. and represented that he in
business IN NewYork and would be OF great
sistance TO the immigrants Meska and Nettle ex-
pressed a wish TO go into the boarding house busi-
They had plenty of money to invest, and San
dow leased for them house at No. 245 West Forty
second-st. They paid the rent and started In bust
AS the men needed a housekeeper Sandow brought
70 the house the woman, Elsie STEINER, and she
took charge of the domestic arrangements She had
not been there more than two days when she went
TO Hilton, Hughes & Co.'S store and ordered new
silk dress. The bill 70 Meska and Nettle.
They first objected. but finally paid the bill and
then the woman away. Sandow remained
about the house.
On Thursday night, while Meska and Nettle were
sitting on the front stoop three men came along
and. walking past them, took possession OF the
back parlor Sandow was lying lounge in
the front paror the time and paid attention TO
the strangers. but Meska and Nettle followed them
into the back parlor and demanded to know what
they wanted. One OF the pulled out re-
volver and. placing IT close TO Meskas head. de-
manded their money Meska and Nettle. scared
10 DEATH gave up a bag containing l35 and sew
eral watches and rings. The then made their
escape. sandow told the Austrians that the rob-
berry was nothing out OF the common as the men
were officers He then disappeared.
The Austrians reported the robbery TO the police
and Central Office detectives put to work
on the case They succeeded in arrestng the
STEINER woman. She the way TO the
house to get tho silk dress which Meska and Net
tie had paid for
She was taken to police headquarters and there
confessed to Captain o Brien. Sandow she said
had told her that he going TO rob Meska and
get big diamond which he in his shirt He
marry her and take her TO South Africa
The woman claimed TO be "a niece OF Dr. Won
Duerng Of 552 East One-hundred and fly fifth
St. but the doctor said he knew nothing about
her She arraigned at Yorkville court yester-
day morning and remanded
During the morning the three robbers were ar
rested in Hoboken by Detectives Ivanhoe and Pc
trosino. from information given them by the wo-
man. They were identified by the Austrians and
remanded by Recorder McDonough to await
reQuisition by the New-York police The men gave
the names. Charles Windisch. John Rheil and Emil
Stagsch and described themselves as longshore-
men. All Of the stolen Jewelry and 5000 OF the
Austrians' money were recovered from them They
had spent the remainder III purchasing new clothes
and trunks and we're preparing TO leave the coun-
try when arrested.
The detectives are still looking for the man San
dow whose right name they have learned is Spiro
They have ciew TO the identity OF the Austrfans'
plausible fellow passenger the steamer