Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-01
kILLSA HIGHWAYM
Harry Trumbull Of the Packers National
Bank Defends Himself,
SHOOTS A RoBBER DEAD IN HIS TRACKS
Wings One of Tough Pair Who Attempt to
Hold Him Up.
PROVES HIMSELF TO Be A GOOD SHOT
Dastardly Attack on Peaoeable Citizen in
South Omaha.
DEAD MANS PARTNER MAKES HIS ESCAPE
Assault Committed on Twcuty-Fourth
street with nm Electric Light
Only Three Hundred Feet
Distant.
DEAD MANS PARTNER MAKES HIS ESCAPE

Harry Trumble, collector for the Packers
National bank, shot and killed a highway
man near the corner of Twenty fourth and
J streets shortly after o'clock last night
Mr.. Trumble had been at the bank until
few minutes before o'clock when he started
home. While passing in front OF the vacant
lot on the west side OF Twenty fourth street,
just south OF the Roberts block, two men
jumped out Of the shadows and attempted
to hold him up. In one OF his overcoat
pockets Mr.. Trumble carried a revolver and
he fired at the man who had gripped him
around the neck. The bullet pierced the
lower portion OF the heart and the footpad
fell to the pavement,
The companion OF the dead hghwayman
ran to the saloon at the corner of Twenty
fourth and X streets and called to Frank
Thompson, the proprietor OF the place, that
shooting scrape was in progress and asked
him to notify the police. Then the highway
mans assistant disappeared before anyone
had an opportunity of OBTAINING him or ask
ing any of the particulars.
Leaving the robber lying on the sidewalk
Mr. Trumble started for police headquarters
to give himself up. When in front OF the
postofice he met officer Tom Montague and
related the circumstances of the shooting to
him. In company with the officer, Trumble
returned to the scene of the shooting and
assisted in carrying the dying man into a
feed store nearby. He then went to the
police station and surrendered himself.
TrumbuIrs story.
In speaking of the affair Mr. Trumble
said: II was passing along Twenty fourth
street and when in front of the vacant lot
two men jumped out at me. One of the men
threw his arm around my neck and threw
my head back in an attempt to strangle me.
AS soon as l realized what was up pulled
my revolver, which was in my right hand
overcoat pocket, and fired. AS l am in the
habit of carrying money l keep revolver
about my person nearly all OF the time.
While walking along on the way home was
dreading the dark walk down street and
that accounted for my having my hand on
my revolver. When l saw that I was get
ting the worst OF 1t ilred in order to pro-
tect myself"
Trumble fired two shots and he is OF the
opinion that the first shot did no damage,
his assailant did not let loose his hold
until after the second shot had been fired.
Quite a crowd gathered at the feed store
in short time to view the remains of the
dead highwayman. Some little difficulty
was experienced in securing the attendance
of physician, but finally DR.. Alberry arrived
the man dead. Those who carried the robbe-
into the feed store do not think he was
dead at that time, as his eyes were not
closed. Mr.. Trumble says the robber made
no attempt to speak after the second shot
was fired.
Search the Body.
Undertaken Brewer took charge of the body
and removed it to the morgue where search
OF the clothing was made in the presence of
Captain Allie and Officer Montague Nothing
OF Importance was found. There was a
pawn ticket showing that a razor had been
pawned a day or two ago at a local loan
office, the amount derived from the pledge
being SO cents. Some tickets for dances in
a tough portion of Chicago were found and
also an engagement ticket announcing that
W. Cummings had been engaged to COM
menCe work on November II for the OXnard
Construction company. AS no city is men
toned on the ticket it Is supposed that the
OXnard company at Ames, Neb., is meant
In little note book the name of William
Cummings, 5422 Wabash avenue, Chicago, ia
written. The police do not think that Cum
mings is the real name of the dead man. but
one which he assumed when he left Chicago.
The dead robber is about five feet eight
inches tall with very black hair and dark
complexion. He had high cheek bones and
ho was about twenty-threo years OF age,
Upon looking at his hands the police declared
that he was not man used to hard work.
When the new1 OF the killing became
known general satisfaction WAS expressed
at the fact that a highwayman had been
shot down while trying to rob man tha
public streets. What makes the act all the
more daring Is the fact that an electric
street light Is located hardly 300 feet from
the scene OF the killing. At first the local
police were inclined to think that the dead
robber was Fred Sly, alias Kid Sly, but De-
tectiyes Donahue and Heldfelt of Omaha
came down and viewed tho remains and
failed TO make an identification.
After the other R0bbcr.
Local oficero secured fairly good des-
criptou of the robber who escaped and they
also learned with whom he had been running
for some time. 1t Is thought this man
will be captured within short time. As
for Cummings, he is a stranger here, although
IL is thought possible the owner of the
pawnshop may be able TO throw some light
on the matter today
Young Trumble is well known here and is
very popular. io iG q nephew of A. w.
Trumble Of Gilmore, who Is vice president
of the Packers National bank. Colonel c.
Nj. Hunt City Treasurer Broadwell and "A
number OF other prominent citizens called at
tho Jail to see II they could do anything for
M. Trumble At the suggestion OF the
mayor officer was detailed to take young
Trumble 10 a hotel, where he was detained
over night.
Undertaken Brewer sent telegram to 1922
Wabash avenue Chicago, with view to Sc
curing the identity of the dead man II pos