The evening times., 1897-02-24
ON A HUNT FOR BURGLARS
Detectives Making a Search for Gro.
Ger kessler's AsSailants.
Identification Very Incomplete, as
Wounded Man Was Too Stunned
TO Take Accurate Notice.

Headquarters detectives and Ninth pre-
cinct patrolRen are making determined
efforts to capture the two masked negro
highwaymen who last night brutally at
tempted to murder and rob Zadock W.
Kessler in his grocery store at Tenth and
streets northeast, as told in The Morning
Times.
When the facts were reported Go Inspector
HollinbergeT this morning he at once as
signed Detectives Helan and Lacey to
the case.
The police are working absolutely with
out clews. and with the barest descrip-
ton OF the men. When asked TO describe
the fellows Mr.. KcsSler said he was TO
much engrossed in the newspaper that he
was reading tha, he caught but a glimpse
of his assailants, and after the bullet
struck him in the neck it stunned him so
that recognition was impossible. AT the
time the burglars entered his store, by
strange coincidence, he was reading an
account of a burglary in one OF the Western
cities.
Policeman Vanverscharf, on whose beat
KessIer's store is located and who passed
the place about two minutes before the
shooting occurred, said this morning:
Those fellows were watching my
movements. They knew just where
was when they entered Kessler's and
waited long enough to give me time TO
get out of pistol-shot hearing"
Mr. Kessler. who is fifty seven years old,
and has sbeenestablisheda at Ibis present stand
for about three years, was alone in his store
when the men entered. He was seated in
the rear OF the room, near the stove, read
ing the evening paper. he heard some one
| open the door, but continued reading,
| thinking that one OF the men who went be
| hind the counter where the cash drawer Is
situated. was a young colored boy who is
! employed about the store. When he
looked up from the paper he saw directlyin
! front Of him tall very black negro, who
was covering him with pistol. The old
gentleman did not quite comprehend the
situation at the first glance, and peering
over his glasses asked what was wanted.
I'VE want your money, and keep quiet,
said the colorcd man. Mr Kessler jumped
to his feet. throwing down his paper, and
advanced toward the man, whom, he OBJ
served, had his face partly covered with
a dirty red handkerchief. Without another
word being spoken, and when the grocery
man was within about two feet OF the rob
her. the latter fired. The wounded man
cried loudly for help and started for the
front door There were q number OF peo-
ple upon the street in the vicinity, and
sorue Of them heard the shot, but did not
suspect anything wrong until called to the
scene by the cries OF the victim.
At the Emergency Hospital DR.. Hooe,
who treated the man. found that the bull
let had entered his throat, just to the
right Of the Adams apple, and taken
downward course. By miracle it had
missed seyering the jugular vein. and by
the greatest fortune had escaped striking
two very sensitive nerves. Had either Of
these been hit death would have ensued.
The wound is an ugly one. DR.. Hooe
probed for the bullet. but it was too deep
to be reached. and is supposed to have
| lodged in front Of the shoulder blade.
among the most vital organs.
At a late hour this afternoon the Emer-
gency Hospital surgeons stated that Mr..
| KesSler was doing as well as could be
expected and that the chances for his
recovery are good.
The bullet OF his assailant tore a gaping
wound in his throat, but luckily did not
strike any OF the larger veins or arteries.
Not a drop OF blood came outwardly from
| tie wound, but he is said to have bled pro-
| fusely internally.
The police made no additional arrests
today, and it is believed the two negroes
have left town. AS practically no de-
scription can be given OF the men, head
quarters cannot ask neighboring towns and
counties to look out for them.
Nor-,nan Henson and buck Butler the
two suspects in custody, will probably be
discharged. as there is said to be no evil
dence against them, only suspicion.