The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-29

shots with Plimpton and Escapes
Two desperate masked and blackened-
faced highwaymen attempted to hold up
car No. Is of the Ballard line last night
shortly after II o'clock at the Interbay
switch.
battle ensued in which the car was
literally riddled with bullets and one Of
the bandits, who is unidentified, was shot
and fatally wounded by r. B. Matterson,
musician Of 221S Western avenue. The
bandit was found on the side hill BREATH
ing his last by Detective Powers and Mo-
torman Vandercook about midnight. At
his side lay a single action Colts revpl-
yer. all the bullets Of which had been ex-
pioded. His dead body is at Bonney &
Stewards.
It may be that the other highwayman,
who attempted to literally murder Charles
E. Plimpton, Of the Seattle Gas and
Electric Light Company, was wounded.
perhaps fatally. Opinions, at an early
hour this morning, differ as to the prob
ability either way. Plimpton had a very
narrow escape from death. One bullet
passed through his left forearm, and tho
other grazed his shoulder close to the
neck DR.. Carroll said this morning that
Plimpton came within an ace Of being
mortally wounded
e. 8. Bunch, high school pupil was
shot through the coat while Plimpton and
the missing highwayman were having q
duel at close range In the middle Of the
car. Sas
Car No. is left Ballard at II o'clock
in charge Of Conductor Ferguson and
Motorman vandercook. On the run
down the main avenue of the town and
across the bridge into the outskirts of
Interplay eight or perhaps ten passengers
were picked up. On the front end of the
car with Motorman Vandercook was Wal
ter Gordon and r. b. Matterson, a mu-
sician, who was one of the victims of
the recent hold-up on the same line.
There may have been one or two pas
sengers on the rear end of the car with
the conductor. but If SO their names are
unknown. The remaining passengers
were sitting within the car. on seats
which are arranged In the same manner
as those in an ordinary railroad coach.
MATTERsON OPENS FIRE.
As is the custom the car drew into the
switch at Interplay. At this time the
highwaymen made their appearance on
the scene. One of them came toward the
front end of the car, with his coat turned
up around his neck, his face covered
with black mask. his forehead black
ened with smut and a cap pulled closely
down over his head. In the dim light
Matterson saw him coming and caught
sight of the big Colts gun, which he car
ried close to his body.
At the same time the other highwayman
approached the rear end Of the car. 1t
was undoubtedly their intention that the
man who went to the front end should hold
up the motorman, while the other man
went through the car and robbed the pas
sengers. The scheme was frustrated by
Matterson, who was prepared for just such
an emergency. Matterson pushed Walter
Gordon out of his way, remarking as he did:
Here's the man I'm laying for"
With this he drew his revolver and faced
. the highwayman who was about to ho.d
up those on the front platform. There was
a moment of silence, and then Matterson's
revolver spoke. The highwayman stopped
short, staggered and retreated. Still game
he brought his big Colts revolver to bear
on his enemy, and fired shot after shot. His
ammunition exhausted he retreated into
the darkness, and for the time being was
lost to sight.
In the meantime a scene indescribable
was taking place inside the car. The Sec
ond highwayman having gained the rear
platform, entered with drawn revolver.
Before he could order "hands up there
was grand rush In all directions. People
who could not get out of the car crouched
down between the seats. For some reason
or other the highwayman selected Charles
Z. Plimpton, who remained seated about
the middle of the car. Strding up to
Piimpton with drawn gun, he yelled
PUT UP your hands! preceding the de-
mand with several oaths.
PLIMPTON'S PART IN FIGHT.
Up went Plimpton's left hand. and he
crouched behind the seat. Without an
other word the bandit fired on the sup
posed defenseless man. He had made
mistake. Plinnpton was armed, and drew
his revolver with his right hand. The
highwayman leaned over him and fired.
The bullet creased Plimpton's shoulder,
but all the fire In the latter's blood was up.
and 1eveling his weapon at the masked
man he pulled the trigger.
Once more the highwayman's revolver
spoke, and this time the ball crashed
through Plimpton's left forearm. inhict-
ing an ugly wound
Still undaunted. though crippled and
bleeding. Plimpton kept on firing. and the