The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-16
DEFIED A MASKED BANDIT.
Daring Attempt 10 Hold Up Hr. v. 3.
POiliauX hear The City Limits.
HE GRAPPL D WITH THE HIGHWAYgAI
Refused to Give Up His Money at the Point
of a Revolver Thought IL Was Prank
Played by One Of His Friends
At First,

With the cold insistent muzzle Of big
revolver thrustlng Itself within several
inches OF his forehead, Bagsage-Master
w. Z. Potiaux. OF the Richmond Frede-
ric6sburg and Potomac railroad. unfinch-
ingly refused to yield his well-hlled wall
let TO a masked highwayman whose steady
hand held tho threatening weapon.
The incident. which has considerably
stirred the nerves OF the West End. and
which proved perilous enough TO COM
pletely shatter those less urn than the
spunky railroaders, occurred Monday
night about $3.50 o'clock on Grove avenue,
near the city limits, at an ideal spot for
deeds whose commission require darkness.
SAW A TALL FIGURE.
Baggage Master POltiauX. who holds the
esteem OF his employers and fellow rail-
road men alike. had finished his daily
trips between Richmond and Quantico,
and taking his little vallse. started for
his home on Grove avenue. block or 80
beyond the corporation line.
He took his way through Monroe Park
and noticed the 81. Valentines prarks
Of small crowd Of boys as he passed
up Grove avenue. Otherwise the thor
oughfare seemed deserted.
But he had not progressed much fur
ther when his attention was attracted to
a tail figure I'm front II was that OF
big man who seemed. for some reason.
20 court the uncertain shadows instead ~
the genial light OF the are lamp on the
distant corner.
Mr. Poitiaux. however. did not give
much attention 20 the circumstance ana
was about 20 pass the man when he was
SURPRISED 20 see the fellow stagger against
him.
The baggaga-mastcr was about TO brace
the man up. whom he supposed drunk.
when. Ikea fash. he wheeled and showed
big revolver into .ine with the rail-
road mans head.
Then came the request-delvered
steallly and sternly. emphasized by the
usually convincing argument Of the gun
that Mr.. PoltilaX deliver his pocket
book.
4 BRAVE STRUGGLE.
But the convincing powers OF the
weapon we're lose upon the baggage mas
ter for IN an Instant he had firmly grasp
cd the situation and the wrist that held
the Gun.
There was a sharp tusse IN which the
victim-elect became the victor. and. al
though the hlghwavman still retained the
revolver. ne was evidently impressed with
the fact that Il had no terrords to the
gritty railroad man.
TIE continued TO demand Mr.. Poitiaux's
purse however. and held The revolver
threateninely.
Mr. Poitaux sharply interrogated the
man as to the meaning OF the attack.
He then asked the man for his name.
for II occurred 10 Mr.. PotitiauN that some
OF his friends might be putting up .
Joke unon him.
The fellow II course. refused TO tell
his name. and continued TO demand
money The baggaee-man thereupon
said he intended TO find out who i was.
and made toward the man, who moved
on rapidly. threatening 70 shoot II Mr.
Poitiaux did not keep his distance.
THOUGHT 1T A JOKE
Mr.. POitieux did not urge matters. the
affair stin impressing him as Joke.
He did not realize that Il was genuine
hold-up until he came 10 think Il over
when he arrived home. He then LETT
the house again IN the attempt 10 locate
his assailant. He was unsuccessful how
ever and was forced 70 abandon the
search.
He Describes the man as being over
six feet in height and heavily built' ana
weqrine q lcht oveTcoat.