The herald., 1897-06-19

started toward his home at 1926 Olive
| street shortly after 10 o'clock He had
proceeded on the east side of the street
to point between Ninth and Tenth
streets. at which place it is very dark
owing to row of trees which align the
lsidewalk. Suddenly, in front of him and
approaching rapidly, he saw the figure
of man, but thought nothing of that
The newcomer made straight for him,
and as he approached to within a few
feet Mr.. Parsons noted that his face was
hidden behind a handkerchief with holes
for eyes Then he realized that trouble
was imminent and prepared for action
He had absolutely no weapon save his
heavy ebony walking stick, and as the
highwayman confronted him and thrust
revolver in his face with the command,
hands up" Mr.. Parsons aimed blow
at the leveled weapon which struck it
downward, causing it's discharge at the
same instant. Without hesitation he
closed with the would-be robber and
aimed another blow at him. Again the
desperate tried to use his weapon, and
second time a heavy blow was deliver
ed on his wrist as he pulled the trigger,
and the bullet flew wide ofits mark
1t was Mr.. Parsons Intention to dis
arm the man if possible. but this the
highwayman frustrated by leaping from
the sidewalk into the street, where at
about ten feet distant he halted and de-
liberately leveled his revolver at the real
estate mans breast, with murder shin
ing from the wicked eyes peering
through the, holes in the mask. MI.
Parsons had but just time to dodge be-
hind the trunk Of the nearest tree as the
shot was fired, and luckily again escaped
injury.
BY this time the neighborhood had
been aroused by the firing and assist
ance came. Several men appeared from
residences near by and the footpad took
to his heels, running diagonally across
the street toward the northeast corner
Of Ninth and Olive streets, where he
lodged between two houses and disap-
peared. jumping over a low fence and
probably. skulking away through deep
gully which runs through a vacant lot
near by. In short time number OF
people and a couple of policemen
reached the spot, hnt the robber had left
the neighborhood, as search failed to
discover him. Mr.. Parsons continued
on his way home and did not report the
matter to police headquarters until yes
terday morning.
He describes -assailant- as tall and
slender, wearing dark clothes and hat
and evidently an old llaud at the, busi-
ness. His movements were quick and
agile, and the command to stand and
deliver was spoken in a low but deter
mined tone. Yesterday resident of
that portion Of the city reported that at
about 10 o'clock at the corner Of Tenth
and Hill streets, he had seen suspici-'
GUS character standing under tree as
though watching. He was SO impressed
by the mans peculiar actions that he
several times looked back and watched
for him until out of sight.
The spot where the attempted hold-up
took place is peculiarly suited for such
an occurrence, being very dark with no
electric lights nearer than two blocks.
The residents have several times peti-
toned that light be placed at Tenth
and Olive streets, but have met with no
success. During last Fiesta man was
held up in almost identicaliy the same
spot, and a shot fired at him by the foot
pad. Mr.. Parsons says that had he sue
ceeded in disarming,the fellow he should
certainly have tried to Kill him, He Is
an old Tombstone resident and has seer,
enough Of gun plays not to quail at the
first bluff. He had but z small amount
Of money on his person, and never car
ries large sums
The Incident which came SO near TO be-
Ing tragedy seems to demonstrate the
need OF better lighting In the vicinity
and TIE Necessity for the psspossd w..