Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1897-03-12
TURNED THE TABLES.
How . Sharp Drummer Got the Beat OF
Mexican Bandit.

NOW y 01oHR DHusAAeAsOs wv w. ~>~'- -
Mexican Bandit.
From some of the reports circulated |
in the cast" said German P. Tetnew, of |
Galveston, Tex, the other night. "one
is led to believe that the western. par |
ticularly the far southwestern. citizen
is q pretty bad man, whose chief amuse-
ment and means of gaining livelihood
consist of highway robbery. But
think the finest piece of holding up
ever heard of was accomplished by
young New Yorker who Travelled in our
state and Mexico for druggists fancy
articles mandatory.
"This young man" he continued. twas
travelling in the state of Coahuila, Mex
leo, about two years ago and went one
night to Saltillo. the capital Of the state.
It was the first time he had been In the
town, and, after transacting little
business, he started out to see the
sights. As he entered an isolated street
he was suddenly confronted by brig
andish- looking fellow, who, in glib
mongrel Spanish, demanded his valu-
ables, with accompanying gestures that
made his meaning perfectly ineligible
to the intended victim. The highway
man held in one hand long, sinister
looking knife and waved it about in
suggestive manner which implied the
necessity of ready compliance with his
wishes or tragic result.
"But the salesman was man OF quick
wit and ready resources. Instead OF
handing over his property he thrust his
hand into his pocket, and a moment
later the cold, shiny barrel of what
seemed to be a revolver was pointed at
the would-be robbers head.
"'Excuse me- said the young man.
but this is my game
Naturally, the surprise caused by
the unexpected production OF the sup
posed revolver produced a change in
the confident manner in which the rob
Der had confronted the New Yorker
; and he started back. Instantly ths
} salesman knocked the knife from hi
} hand, stopped down, picked it up, tool
J the highwayman by the collar before HI
: could escape and marched him befor'
the police authorities. At the prelim
: mary trial of the would-be robber tn
! following morning the guilt of the pris
: oner was already established, and hi
commitment was about to follow whel
he asked If it were not an offense TO
, strangers In the country to carry con
. cealed weapons. He was told that
. was. Then he demanded the arrest o
! the young salesman, charging him wit
: carrying o revolver. The native Jus
. tice asked the salesman IL the charg
= was true. This was admitted. He wa
Q then asked If he still had the weapo
}. concealed on his person. The youn
4 man said he had, but pleaded that it
o possession had the night before prt
vented robbery and possibly murde
d He was informed that such circun
stance did not alter the case and that b
!" had violated the law.
r "The prisoner smiled sardonically o
70 beholding the tight place into whie
?. the authorities were seemingly draw
It ing the New Yorker, but his mir'
y turned to disgust when the young ma
Do pulled the revolver from his pocket al
10 laid it down before the magistrate.
o was nothing but cologne atomic
~ fashioned in the shape OF revolvs
20 such as were manufactured in quar-
- ties several years ago. baltimore u