The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-05-04
SHORT CHANGE.
Sleek Work of Strangers Tuesday
Afternoon.
One of Them is Captured, Breaks Away,
and is Retaken at the Point of
Revolver.

The short change racket was worked
successfully Tuesday by two well
dressed strangers, who were evidently
working their game together. The vic
tim was Ed Nitzkowfski, delivery boy for
J. M. Karmany's lower market, which is
managed by Theodore Sherk. He acts
as clerk at the store while Mr.. Sherk is
at his meals, and was on this kind OF
duty at 1:15 o'clock this afternoon,
when two men passed by. They
glanced in and walked on down the
street, separating few doors north.
Both men were we'll dressed and be-
tween % and 80 years of age.
No came back to the meat market
and gave the clerk pleasant smile
He purchased ten cents worth of
sausage, and held out $40 bill in pay
ment, backwards in such a manner
that he could not see it. The clerk
counted out SO 80 in change, when the
man said that he guessed he had given
larger bill than he intended to. He
then took back the $40 bill and handed
over S. bill and 81 bill, keeping all
of the change, the clerk mistaking the
81 bill for So bill.
Five minutes after No. had depart
ed, No. 2 entered and called for 10
cents worth of pork steak. He, also,
handed over $40 bill in payment. re-
ceiving the change, took back the bill
and handed back S. bill, keeping all
the change. Each man was in hurry
and kept on talking pleasantly, and the
clerk did not notice anything wrong at
the time. No. 2 asked whether there
was any good mustard in the store,
and the young man started to get some.
The stranger did not care to wait,
however, but said that he would
have his mother come and get it.
After No. 2 had departed, Mr.. Nitz-
kofski noticed that there was not as
much money in the drawer as there was
before and telephoned to Mr.. Sherk to
ascertain how much he had left. On
learning the amount, he calculated that
he was out about 80 by his transactions
with the two strangers. He called up
the police station and Officers Morrow
and Thilgen responded.
No. was sitting in front of store
at the corner of Front and Rock streets,
and No. was located in Lamm's feed
store. No. 1 ran through saloon and
caught freight train bound for Kaso-
ia, A telegram was sent to Kasota to
arrest him and the police started for
there, accompanied by Nitzkowfski
No. 2 was taken in custody in the feed
store, where he was trying to get some
81 bills for s.. Officer Thilgen turned
him over to Chief Bruels. who started
with him for the city hall. Before they
had gone far, No. 2 made dash for
liberty. running across the street. A
horse was hitched to a post and he pas
sed under the hitching strap, closely
pursued by Mr.. Bruels, who caught
hold of his pocket there. The pocket
gave way and Mr.. Bruels fell on one
knee, tearing his uniform, but he was
up again in an instant and followed his |
man to the rear of the building formerly |
occupied by A. R. Coats. Mr.. Bruels |
drew his revolver and ordered the fellow
to halt or he would shoot, and the fellow
halted. The chain cuff was put on his
wrist and he was taken to the city hall, |
where 1926 was found upon him. He |
was placed in cell and claimed to be
feeling sick, but refused to give his
name or to say anything about him.
self. He is dark complectioned man,
smooth faced, we'll dressed with dark
suit and tan shoes. He lay down upon
bunk and hid his face with his hat
and refused to ask questions. He ask
ed why he was locked up and pretended
not to know about the short change
game.
At about one o'clock No. 2 stepped in
to Frisbie Pope's plumbing shop and
wanted change for bill but was not
commodated. He has been seen in the
city for several days.
No. 2 gave his name later that after.
noon as Willis Millet, and retained S.
B. Wilson as his attorney. When
searched again by Officer Thilgen, $25
in bills was found up one sleeve.
No. was seen crossing Henry Hence
mans farm and asking for Mankato
Junction. Officer Morrow rode out on
his wheel. and late this afternoon is re-
ported to have arrested his man,
Millet gave his residence as Mil
waukee. He was arrested by Officer
Morrow and turned over to Officer
Thilgen.