Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-01-10
TWO Masked MEN ROB SEVEN Ho-
TEL GUESTS.
BIND AND GAG A POLICEMAN
TAKE HIM TO THE WOODS AND TIE
HIM UP.
Sensational Crime mt Fort Scott
Bravery of Engineer Mead-The
Thieves Rob n Second Place
and Make Good Their
Escape.

FORT SCOTT, KAS., Jan. 9.-tSpecial.)
A desperate holdup took place in this city
at midnight last night. Two masked men
covered a policeman with their revolvers.
marched him into the woods back of the
Missouri Pacific yards and tied him to a
tree; then, returning to East Wall street,
on his beat. they held up nine men in two
lunchrooms. securing about $50 in money,
several watches and revolvers. One of the
victims in the first place held up was En-
gineer Ed R. Mead. Of the Memphis road,
and as soon as the bandits started out to rob
the second lunchroom, which was across
the street from the first, Mead ran to the
Memphis depot, a short distance away. pro-
cured a revolver and, returning. opened fire
on the robbers just as they came into the
street after completing the second job, and
1t is thought he wounded one, but they
made him helpless after. his second shot
close to the right shoulder. He is not
thought to be fatally wounded. TIL a n
dts then escaped in the darkness. but were
located again by the officers at 3 o'clock
this morning as they were boarding an out
going Missouri, Kansas & Texas freight
train. and a running fight took place. The
desperate criminals again made good their
escape. The bandits were white men, but
a Waterman, installing a colored tramp
for one of the fugitives. shot and seriously
wounded him.
It was one of the most desperate and
daring deeds that ever happened in this
part Of the country, and the whole COM
munity is aroused. They told the police
man while binding him to the tree what
they intended to do. and afterwards re-
turned and released him for a time. say
ing that 1t was too early. Just before
midnight they tied him up again, gagged
him and made their way to the Cottage
house They marched Into the hotel and
covered seven men in the lobby with their
guns. Then one guarded these while the
others went through them and then robbed
the money drawer. The heaviest individ-
ual loss was that of H. T. Dayton, who
was deprived of 500 and a gold watch.
The other men In the hotel office were
Engineer Mead, Engineer McCrum, Elwood
Antrim. Lee Benedict George Abbott, the
clerk. and Milburn. all of Fort Scott. Nc
Crum lost a good watch and some change:
the clerk lost a revolver and $3.50. The
fODD6rS wore Dlack sweaters Win apron
overalIs to cover their clothes. Their coats
were tucked in the aprons.
Posses were soon gathered and the tim
berland in which the robbers had taken
refuge was carefully guarded. Several en-
counters between the officers and the out
laws took place. the latter always getting
the best of it. They got out of the timber
and attempted to board an east bound
Missouri. Kansas & Texas train. but were
driven of by officers. The last seen Of
them they were going to the eastward
officials here seem to think that they are
adopts from another city. and others hold
the opinion that they are local men. be-
cause of their perfect knowledge of the
hotel arrangements. Officers in the neigh
boring cities have been notified. and the
country hereabout is being secured by
posses armed to the teeth. 1t is confidently
expected that they will be captured soon.
For Gaming His Death.