The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-24
FRANK WERNER TAKES REFUGE
? FROM HEGHsVAYMEyS AND
YIELDS POLICE.
HELD UP EARLY LAST NIGHT
AT SOUTH EXCHANGE AND WAI,NUF
WHEN TWO FOOTPADs DE-
MANDEB HIS MONEY.
ONE BEGINS ITO SEARCH HIM.
When the Pocket Containing the
Coin Was Reached Mr.. Werner
Shouted.

Another daring hold-up occurred last
evening when Frank Werner the pro-
prletor of the Mozart saloon, was ''stuck
up at the point Of a revolver by two
masked men at South Exchange and
Walnut Streets The job was the most
audacious yet attempted by the foot
pads who are terrorizing the citizens of
St Paul and was perpetrated in the
full glare Of a street lamp, but one
block from Seventh street, at $3.50
O'Clock. A tenanted house occupies
each of the four corners of the street
intersection selected by the thugs for
their bold deed and lights. from the win
dcWs made the. scene bright Owing to
the nerve Of Werner the highwaynen
secured nothing and were routed after
having begun a search Of their victims
pockets.
Mr.. Werner was returning to his place
Of business from his home at No. 43
Wilkin street when the exciting Incl
dent befell him. He had travelled the
same route for the past thirty years
when he conducted place at Exchange
and West Third street, and thoughts of
danger, especially at that early hour
and only a short distance from a main
thoroughfare crowded with pedestri-
ans, were far from his mind. He had
proceeded from Forbes avenue, on
Exchange street. to a point directly I'M
der lamp light at Walnut street,
where ex-Gov. RaInsey's residence is
situated. when two men wheeled around
from behind a stone fence which sur
rounded the premises and commanded
him to throw up his hands. Each of
the footpads wore white handkerchief
tied over the lower portion of his face
and in accosting Mr., Werner, had taken
positions one onseither side Of him in
the regular style. The whole tableaux,
masked men, shining pistol and a
startled victim could be seen from Sew
enth street.
The man with the revolver sprang
to Mr.. Werners' side, and, pressing the
weapon against his head, told his COM
panion to search him When the sec
ond highwayman began his work the
man with the pistol backed to the curb
stone and informed Mr.. Werner that
the slightest move meant the taking of
his life The thief going through the
victim displayed a knowledge of his
business by unbuttoning his overcoat
and at once beginning a search of his
inner pockets. When the man delved
inside Mr.. Werner's vest where he had
wallet containing $40, in addition to
a gold watch and chain, that gentle
man could stand the ordeal no longer
and, aiming vicious blow at the rob-
Der nearest him, backed off and defied
them to shoot, at the same time cry
ing loudly for assistance. ,sfss,
This phase Of the hold-up created q
situation not without its amusing side,
notwithstanding that the indignant cit
izen might have been perforated with
bullets. Mr.. Werner had a large meat
platter under his arm which he was
taking to his saloon upon which to
serve the night lunch which he sets UP
for his customers. When he struck the
highwayman and stepped back he
threw the platter before his face for a
shield and cried out from his ostrich
like bulwark:
"Shoot, you scoundre1, I defy you"
The unexpected action Of Mr.. Werner
and his loud cries for the police alarmed
the footpads, and, cursing him roundly
for his display of courage, they took
to their heels. Mr.. Werner proceeded
on his way, and at Third street met a
policeman, the first he had seen, regard
less of his cries, whom he informed
of the daring piece Of work.
Mr.. Werner is 81 German about fifty
FIVE years Of age, eand speaks with
something Of an accent In relating
his experience to a. reporter for the
G. o b e, he remarked: 81 will sell my
dear life ust SO high as anybodies, an
you bet 1 don't stan,iany monkey bust
ness from dose damned rascals also.
Let dem shoot; can dake care Of my
selbst, by jimminy."