The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-02-16
ROBBED PROF. SWEITZER.
Held Him Up at the TT. Wayne Depot
and Detectives Have Worked
EVER SINCE THE OCCURRENCE
sweitzer Makes Trip to Youngstown and
Identifies the Man Who Is Then
Brought to This city and
Locked Up In the City
Prison.


An excellent piece Of detective work |
was shown a few days ago in an arrest
which eliminated in Youngstown, of
a man who was badly wanted by the
Pennsylvania railway company since
last April. The name of the offender is
Peter Rookie, more familiarly known to
the railroad detectives as "Old Man
Rock" Rookie is at the present time
locked UP in the prison in this city on
the charge of highway robbery.
On the night of the 18th Of last April,
Prof. Frank N. Sweitzer, of the Nanton
high school, was at the Pennsylvania
railway station in this city, and had
lust stepped up to the waiting room
door when a stranger sprang in front
Of him and held revolver to his race
and demanded his money. SWeitzer
remained cool and finally seeing that
the fellow was determined and might
fire the revolver turned over to him
about $50 in money The stranger then
disappeared in the darkness and was
last seen making his way across the
tracks in the direction of the steel
works A thorough search was made
at the time by the officers for the man
but they failed to apprehend him.
On the night of the 18th, Sunday,
Harvey Strong was coming up South
Cherry street, and as he approached
Tenth street he was confronted by
stranger who demanded his valuables.
Strong was not quick enough In re-
tha n
for Strong's watch and chain, where
upon Strong struck at him. Inc
stranger then fred revolver almost
point blank at Strong, the bullet taking
effect In his abdomen. He staggered
,io the street short distance when he
met a friend and together they visited
the office of DR.. Schilling in North Mar
ket street, where an examination was
made of Strongs injury and he was al
terward taken to the Aultman hospital
where an operation was performed and
the bullet extracted. The local police
were given an excellent description OF
the fellow who committed the deed,
and the description given by Sweitzer
tailed with that given by Strong, and
the officers concluded it was the same
party.
Chief of Detectives Ogline, of the
Pennsylvania railway company, was
given charge of the matter by the rail-
way company, through the local ofhcer
of the company, Charles Sidle, and ever
since the occurrence the railway detec-
tives have worked on the case.
1t was recently learned that man
answering this description, and known
as Rookie. was living with several pals
in a small building between Youngs-
town and Pittsburg, and repeated ef-
forts were made to apprehend him. A
few days ago an officer in that vicinity
succeeded in apprehending an offender
and in the distance he saw Rookie which
information was Immediately reported
to the proper officers. officers at once
visited the place where Rookie was seen
and captured him. but several pals who
evidently were in fear of arrest, sue
ceeded in escaping to tie woods nearby
and were not apprehended. Rookie was
taken to Youngstown and the railway
company Immediately sent word to De-
tective Sidle in this city to secure Sweit-
ger and visit Youngstown so as to en-
able the authorities there to properly
hold Rookie. Accompanied by Detective
Sdle, Prof. Sweitzer went to Youngs-
town, Tuesday afternoon, where he saw
Rookie and at once identified him as the
man who had held him up in this city
Chief Ogline and Detective Sidle
brought Rookie to this city on the even
ing Pennsylvania railway train and
locked him in the city prison.
Rookie is apparently So years of age
and is rather stockily built. 1t is al
legged by officers here that the Youngs-
town police are well known to him, as
they have had frequent brushes with
him, although they have been unable
to catch him at work.
Rookie was arraigned before Mayor
Robertson this, Wednesday morning
on the charge of highway robbery. He
pleaded not guilty and he was taken
to the county jail in default of $1,000
bail until Thursday evening at o'clock
wSan he will be given preliminary
hearing. When the warrant was read
to Rookie he became excited and stated
that he would like to face the man
who placed the charge against him, and
made similar remarks protesting his
innocence. Officer McCort, OF the Penn
sylvania railway company, who was
In this city Wednesday stated that he
knew Rookie. and that he believed that
Rool.e had been confined short time
in the county workhouse about three
years ago. for slight offense.
Officers called on Harvey Strong