The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-13
HE TOOK THEM BY SURPRISE
After Robbing the Place the Thief
Took q Drink-Made Tempo
rary Barricade

bis escape.
The saloon is conducted by Geo. Michel
son, and in the place with him at the time
Of the robbery were J. Phil Percival, the
well-known athlete; Jens Hansen, car
rage trimmer, and third man named
Sam, who works for Main-street fruit
market. In the saloon proper are the bar
extending the length of the room; show
case containing liquor on the opposite side
Of the room, and by its side bagatelle
table. The rear OF the place is partitioned
on into private rooms. These rooms arc
reached by q passageway, which is
screened by portieres. Nicholson had
bolted the front door and was preparing to
close the place, as it lacked about five min
utes orfso to midnight. Several of the
crowd had been playing the game, how
ever, and. previous to taking the night cap,
they stood in front Of the score board,
which hung from the showcase. figuring up
who had lost the game. A Japanese screen
stood partially between them and the pas
sageway, and so engrossed were the play
ers in the problem of who was stuck
that they failed to notice that the portieres
parted and short man, whose face was
masked and who carried a revolver in each
hand. step into the room.
49, you, hands up there!" the unex-
pected visitor ordered in a commanding
tone of voice, as he advanced several steps
toward the quartet and stood waiting for
them to obey. The crowd turned, looked
down the muzzles of those guns, and each
and every hair on each and every head
full porcupine. They were too astonishad
to act, and Nicholson started to laugh, but
the stranger was not there to amuse, for
he again ordered them to elevate their
hands.
Hands up. I say he called. Il mean
business
Nicholson started the fashion, and then
the rest of the crowd followed the exam
pie set by their host, and put up their
hands, too. They stood lined UP in front
brace OF revolvers were about three PAGES
distant. The quartette had an opportunity
Of sizing up the robber. Beyond observing,
however, that he stood about five feet six
inches. weighed probably 14O pounds, wore
q dirty handkerchief over the lower part
of his face. had his eyes shaded with a
black Fedora hat, had on a shabby dark
sack suit and old. worn bicycle shoes, they
were unable to determine much about him,
as he did not waste any time posing.
Turn around he next commanded
land face that showcase
The crowd did so and then he backed
away and around behind the bar, where
he kept one eye on the cash till and the
other and the two revolvers on the men.
The reflection of the robber showed in the
glass door of the showcase, and Phil Per-
cival turned his head slightly sideways,
to try and get a look at robber in action.
but the masked man had evidently ex-
pected to arouse curiosity and was pre-
pared for it.
&C d. you, if you turn your head
around again I'll fill you full of lead"
Percival proved himself after that to be
something of "wise guy" for he kept
his eyes glued to the glass in front of him
until he rece;ved Ia Tor oraars - 49, m,
robber opened the cash reyister and ;rvas-
tigated the contents He took out utt1e
over s17, all of which was silver excent /.
3 piece. He left the nickels and dimes and
IS check, which was lying on the bar.
the bar.
"Say," asked the robber address,ne
Nicholson, 'are yoA the proprietor of this
placer"
''No,' replied the proprietor, che went
away some time ago and left nobody but
me. in charge"
WELL l wonder what he has done with
all his money"
oon,, Know, replied the willy Michel