The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-28
HELD UP AND SLUGGED
WILLIS SHEETS ROBBED BY TWO
MEN AT MERIDIAN AND ST. CLAIR.
EV en- Took His Cuff ButtOns-Affair Oc-
Cured at 10 O'Clock Under
an Electric Light.

Saturday night the police department with
considerable flourish, announced the arrest
Of two men, declaring the belief that the
prisoners were guilty of many of the recent
highway robberies in and about the city.
But there are other robbers operating, and
the demcralized police force is unable to
reach them. The latest victim of the bold
highwaymen is Willis Sheets, manager of
the cloak department of the New York
store, who was attacked and brutally beaten
about 10 o'clock Sunday night. The assault
occurred in the very center of one Of the
most thickly settled parts of the city. Mr.
Sheets probably understood the futility of
calling the attention of the police to rob-
bers, and the case was not mentioned at
the police station.
Mr.. Sheets resides with his two sisters on
st. Joseph street, between Pennsylvania and
Meridian streets. AT the corner of st. Clair
and Meridian streets he was knocked down,
choked and kicked and robbed of about
everything he had. The robbers, it seems,
were after the yellow metal They took his
gold watch, his gold cuff buttons, and the
young man feels he is fortunate in having
been able to save the gold filings in his
teeth.
Sunday evening Mr.. Sheets came down
town, and between and 10 o'clock started
homeward. He was in no hurry, and the
night being fine. he sauntered leisurely up
Meridian street. At the northwest corner
of the park at Meridian and ST. Clair streets
Mrs. Sheets met two strangers. The cloak
manager is a modest young man and is not
of an inquiring disposition. He paid no
attention to the pedestrians until they were
upon him. Even then they did not attract
his attention until one of them drew a
pistol and held it uncomfortably close to
his face. The next instant he felt the clutch
of the other fellow at his throat, and he
realized he was in the hands of pair of
highwaymen. But the young man did not
yield without a struggle, and, in fact,
showed himself to he thoroughly game in
the face of such odds. He made a brave
fight to release himself, and in the struggle
his coat was torn Off. He was finally pushed
to the pavement. With a hand at his throat
and pistol against his head, the unfortu-
nate young man stood little show to pre-
vent himself being robbed The highwaymen
coolIy removed the gold buttons from his
cuffs and then went through his pockets
He had several dollars in money which they
took, besides his gold watch and watch
guard, which he priced highly. After he had
OSSA bAAOAOu7HlJ I66CSu OI0 Vi the men,
after surveying him moment, remarked to
his companion that they might as well fill
him full Of holes. But the suggestion was
not carried out, and after administering
kick or two the highwaymen released their
victim. They started him in the direction
of his home with the threat that if he did
not proceed rapidly and without raising a
disturbance they would shoot him.
When Mr.. Sheets presented himself at his
home his sisters were shocked at his APP
pcarance. Ills clothing was torn, the blood
was streaming from a wound in his head
and altogether he presented a pitiable APP
pearance. An examination of his head Cils-
closed an ugly wound that looked as if it
might have been made with a bludgeon of
some character. Yesterday morning Mr.
Sheets found himself sore from the treat
ment he had received that ne could scarcely
move about. He came down about 10 o'clock
but did not remain at the store. He was to
leave for New York this morning on his
annual buying tour, and announced yester-
day he would try to go despite his condition
MIR. Sheets aid not recognize his assailants
Ii is his opinion, however, that they knew
something about him and where he lived
from the manner in which they instructed
him 10 cut for home without delay