New-York tribune., 1901-07-31
BAG OF GOLD HIS WEAPON
RUSSIAN SHOWS HIS FORTUNE IN A
RAINES LAW HOTEL-BEATS OFF
ROBBERS AFTER DES-
PERATE FIGHT.

Daniel Yefsotofe came here from St. Peters
burg. Russia, several months ago. and wended
his way TO Pennsylvania. where by lucky invest
ments in coal mining he amassed a small
fortune His sudden good luck prompted him
10 return to his native land. and. after selling
out his interests in the mines he came to TINS
city to take ship for Russia
Two weeks ago he arrived here and stayed
for a time at No 1OI Eighth-st. but not caring
for his room there he went last night to seek
a new one. At No 1O7 Worth-st. he was at
tracted by Raines law hotel kept by Michael
MolIo Entering he asked what the terms were,
and told the proprietor that he intended to stay
there until his ship sailed. While making ar
rangements for his room he displayed bagful
of gold pieces, rubles and marks, which he had
exchanged for American money.
There were quite a number of men in the
room and envious g.ances were cast at the bag
of money which the Russian displayed Yef-
sotofie went to a room the third floor.
He was undressing, when he heard a rap at
the door. On opening it he seized by three
men and thrown the bed he says One OF the
men grabbed him by the throat, he alleges. and
threatened to kill him if he made an outcry
He struggled and fought off his assailants. He
had placed his bag of money under one or the
pillows and when the men attacked MIN ne
knew their object. Reaching for his gold' ne
grabbed it, and tried to escape from the room'
He reached the door, only to find 1t locked
All escape was cut off. Determined however
that the intruders would not get off with MS
wealth, he fought them, striking their heads
with the bag of gold
1t looked gloomy for the man, as they had
evidently planned murder to accomplish their
ends and tried in every way to get strange
hold on him. Yefsotofie is a giant in stature,
and was able to handle his assailants II they
did not resort to foul means TO render MIN uh-
conscious The fight was waxing warm anu tite
stranger was fast getting the better OF the ar
fray when he saw in the dark long oiaue
glIttering and lowering above his head
Striking right and left, he felled two or the
men, and, picking up chair aimed II at @ tlle
one with the dagger But the odds WeIS 100
great and, fearing that he would be stabbed 10
death in the dark he managed 10 reach the
window and call for help. -,
The two men who had been feiled py ms
brawny fists had risen from the floor ana again
fought side by side with their accomplce 10
OverpOWer YefsotOfie. When they saw that ne
had reached the window they rushed at hlnl' an
together, and tried to drag him from the WIN
dow. ,, - ,a
In the struggle the bag containing the gold
burst and the pieces were scattered all over the
ROOM The Russian cared little Tor the money
then. -, ,.,
Detectives Roth and Burns, of the Elizabeth
St station, were passing by the hotel when they
saw the struggling at an open Wlhoo"'
There was no light in the room, but the de-
tectives could easily see that something was
wrong Rushing up the stairs. they broke in the
door but in the darkness nobody could make
his way, and the men got away, FOR a time dt
least.
The detectives dragged the Russian out into
the lighted hall. and there he told them that he
had been assaulted and robbed Blood was
streaming from his mouth and several cuts on
his face When the officers learned the situa-
ton they Immediately made a search of the
building and arrested the proprietor and the
cook of the hotel. The Russian identified the
proprietor and the cook as two of his assallants