New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-20
HELD UP BY A BOLD GANG
THIEVES WITH REvOLvERS ROB AN
EAST SIDE DRUG STORE.
TUE CLERK IN CHARGE CHOKED WHEN HE
SHOWED REsIsTANCE-TWo MEN IN
SIDE AND FIVE on GUARD
OUTSIDE.

OUTSIDE.
,Jor-,. davidson twenty-three years old,
dung clerk in charge of the drugstore owned
nv Cnetz. Schoff & Bakst. at Pike and Madison
etc had an exciting experience about I'D O'Clock
Lost night with a gang OF seven highwaymen
A. the point of a revolver two OF the men Sc
cured about So Business was very dull in the
store and Davidson spent the greater part OF
the evening alternately reading and doing IN
the rear Of the store. Few minutes pelore
10 o'clock he was reused by slight noise. lie
got I'D and noticed several suspicious
characters outside. He did not mind them al
first. however. The store has two entrances
one on the corner and another on the Pike-st.
side.
Davidson was about TO resume his seat when
two of the men entered, as he supposed 10
make a purchase one of them walked toward
him while the other carelessly sauntered over
toward the cash drawer. Davidson. anticipating
an order for something. waited back or the
counter. and as the fellow approached him in
quired:
We'll. what can do for YOU
Quick as a fash the fellow leaned over the
counter and. with an oath. pointed a revolver at
Davidson.
You can shell out your money and keep your
response.
His action was the cue for the other man He
Jumped to the cash drawer and forced II with
Jimmy. II was pretty well filed with small
bills and a lot of silver, and this the burglar
literally shovelled into his pockets He seemed
a novice and in his excitement. spilled over SD
worth on the floor. Davidson says he was
frightened at first. but, instead Of holding up
his hands as commanded. he struck at the rob-
Der He then made an effort to run toward the
opening near the end Of the counter TO give an
alarm The robber ran with him. warning him
! to stop or he would shoot
| Davidson was so badly frightened that he paid
| no attention TO the command. and the robber
put his revolver in his pocket and grabbed hun
| by the throat as he emerged from behind the
| counter. He almost choked me TO death" said
Davidson. later. in describing the incident. Il
! fought him for all was worth, and was getting
! the best of him. when he yelled 10 the other
chap TO hurry up"
The entrance from the corner door OF an old
man and the appearance OF other people outside
alarmed the robbers. and they both ran out the
Pke-st. door. They specded toward the river.
and when block away four shots were heard.
Who fired them is not known. The other five
members Of the gang started TO follow the prin-
cpals. but two changed their minds and doubled
back into the crowd.
OF there was great excitement
large crowd gathered in response 10 Davidsons
frantic cries Of Help. Murder! Stop thief
etc.
Fifteen minutes later a policeman appeared.
The Madson-st. police were informed, and De-
tectives Mccarthy and Haggerty started out 10
look for the robbers.
Davidson described the man who had the re-
voiver as about twenty five years old. OF sandy
complexion, and about . feet inches tall. He
wore SLOUGH hat and a. black overcoat. The
other was younger and considerably smaller.
young woman living next door says she
the entire transaction, and she gave partial
description OF the robbers 10 the police. She
declares that the five men who waited outside
without question belonged to the gang. A mys
! terious thing happened earlier in the evening.
| Two shots were heard near GOuverneur and
Cherry SITS. but who fired them Is not known
! They were heard by the policeman post and
the nurses in Gouverneur Hospital. 1t is
| thought that the gang probably tried to
hold up some one else.