The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-11
In Dawson's bicycle store on North Maiu
street on Wednesday, July 80, 1896.

In Dawson's bicycle store on North Maiu
street on Wednesday. July 80, 1896.
On the evening of that day Willis went
to the Dawson establishment and wanted
to exchange Victor bicycle for some
sporting goods.
Mr.. Dawson was willing and offered to
advance $40 worth and take the machine
in payment. This pleased Willis and he
selected an outfit that would make bows
mouth water for camping out He was
Intending to finish up the deal then and
there and 60 of with his gun and other
trnppings. but Dawson wouldn't have 1t.
Mr.. Dawson. however, insisted on get
ting receipt for the wheel, but Willis
didn't have one. He agreed to have it in
short order though and went out return
ing in q few minutes with a suspicious
looking scrap OF paper purporting 20 be
a receipt from Huntlsy, "A bicycle dealer
of Taunton. This was not satisfactory and
Mr.. Dawson didn' g hesitate TO say So and
Willis went off again. promising TO call
the following afternoon.
KEPT HIS ENGAGEMENT.
Willis kept his engagement. but In tho
meantime Mr. Dawson had dono "a lot of
telegraphing to Boston and Taunton, and
was convinced that Willis would rather
steal bicycle than buy one.
Whom he arrived according Co agreement
and coolly stated that hs had the receipt
Mr.. Dawson was just as cool and locked
the door. putting tho key in his pocket
That settled IL and there was no moro
blufling Willis didn't for an instant try
60 play the part Of injured innoconce.
but reached for his revolver. Mr.. Daw-
son got ahead OF him nj that point. now.
ever, and drew his gun, with which no
covered the thief.
WENT THROUGH THE WINDOW.
Then came the feature which gave tho
episode rank among tie most reckless in
the local record OF wrong GoinR.
Willis, realizing that ths police had hecn
teller rhoned for, and that every door be-
tween him and the street was locked,
stepped up TO plate glass show window,
ana with ono blow from an Indian club
made an exit for himself three ieet wide
and iive feet high.
Tie sidewalk wns crowded ar the time
with shoppers hurrying home, aud the
crash of glass ana the startling appear.
nrco of man ieapsng through tho hole
in the window created "a panic for q
second or more.
Tnking advantage Of this Will.
mounted his wheel. which had been left
st the curr. and began TO pedal up Nortl
Main street, regardless OF city ordi inanCe.
relative 70 scorchiDg.
DREW TWO PISTOLS.
Frank Tozio, cutter employed a.
Henry khrone's tailor shop stariod th,
pursuir. by rushing against tho whe-l ~
the wild rider attempted 20 Pass. Will
was forcibiy dismouDfed, but that didn
phase him bif. Ho drew two rovolver
and started volley that was Kept M
until the IL chambers were empty. ans
there was a iivety EcWttrring OF the crowd
which had joined 1ozio In tho pursuit
Only two mon were hit Henry VI lftir
ro-eiycd scalp wound and Frank e.
III rgs who worked Tor Mr. Dawson, Qo
buiio: Ia the leg. Neither was seriously
hurt
After wounding tho two men and scar
i1r 70 hundred IhsTs out 81 any FIR hel
desire for tie thasc. Willis rrn up lack
s)n court From tho end ~ no alley co.
frriiisc made his way through hole "