The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-25

Punished--Had 500 I'm His Hip
ing lt-StoOd Lot of Punish
ment Until Neighbors Came to
His Aid.
Cyprien Dufault, the proprietor Of
grocery store at 55S ST. Anthony ave-
nue., had desperate encounter with
highwaymen Wednesday evening, in
which he was Viciously beaten by the
thugs and left in a semi-unconscious
condition in the rear of his store. BY
a plucky fight with the footpads Mr.
Dufault succeeded in thwarting their
efforts to secure 500 which he had
about his person.
The assault took place in a barn
back Of the grocery store. Mr.. Dufault
is in the habit of caring for his horse
Tor the night every evening about
O'Clock. He generally carries a con-
siderable sum of money about him at
this time of the evening, as he takes
the proceeds of the days business to
his living apartments above the store.
This fact is believed to have been
known by his assailants, who lay in
wait for him in the stable. AS he en-
tered the door with measure of food
for the horse In one hand and a lantern
crouching in one corner of the stable
and asked him his business Scarcely
had he uttered the question when he
was seized by the throat from behind
and effectUally throttled before he
could make an cutlery.
The man who grappled Mr.. Dufault
from behind was powerful individual,
and though the grocer struggled val
iantly, he could not release himself nor
a
securely held by the tight grip about
the throat the man seen by Mr.. Du-
fault on entering the stable rushed
upon the grocer and dealt him pow
erful blow in the face At the same
time the other thug sought to throw
the victim to the floor, but Mr. Dufault
managed to keep his feet, though re-
peatedly struck in the face and about
the head 10y the man in front of him
Weakened by the savage assault, the
grocer finally sank to his knees when
the fellow who held him about the
throat jerked him violently backward
by placing his knee in the small of the
back. Securing fresh grip about the
PROSTATE mans throat the stranger
sought to throttle Mr.. Dufault into in
sensibility, meantime urging his COM
panion to hurry up and get it, I'M
doubtedly referring to the money.
The first highwayman dealt the
struggling grocer several vicious kicks
and then began searching his pockets.
The 500 was In a rear hip pocket.
When the thugs started to turn their
victim over to get at his rear pockets,
the groceryman exerted his strength in
a final struggle and managed to free
himself sufficiently to roll out of the
stable door
The thugs were upon him again in
an instant, but not before he had Civ
en- vent to several loud cries for hell.
Realizing that they were likely to be
interrupted any moment, the highway
men both attacked the grocer with
their fists, again knocking him down
and hurriedly rummaging his clothing
for the money. Mr.. Dufault continued
struggling, however, and calling for
help, until with last blow on the
head which left him daZed in the al
ley. the highwaymen took to flight
Several neighbors who had answered
the calls for help saw three men run
ming south on Kent street, and 1t is
believed that there We're more than
two of the thugs. one of whom prob
ably kept watch While the others
sought to secure the groceryman's
money.
Mr.. Dufault was laid up in bed
portion of yesterday as the result Of
his rough handling, but was able to be
ABOUT last evening. HIS neck 1S very
stiff and sore. while his face is swollen
and discolored from the savage blows
he received. In the center of his fore
head Is a cut believed to have been
inflicted by some weapon used by hts
assailants. probably brass knuckles Or
q slung shot.
The grocer describes his assailants
as young men, roughly dressed. wear
ing caps and no overcoats. The one
who grappled him from behind he did
not get a look at, but he thinks he
could Identify the man who did most
Of the smuggling.