The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-25
COLORED ROBBERS
ATTEMPT H0LD-UP
Lewis Dabertz Defends Him
self With Knife.
TWO FIERCE ENCOUNTERS
Thought to Be Robbers Vino
Held UP John DirkSon.
TWO FIERCE ENCOUNTERS

While on his way TO his work at stef-
/ fen & Bretchs ice plant at a little before
/ O'Clock yesterday morning Lewis Da-
bertz was attacked by two coIored rob-
bers and escaped only after two desperate
struggles. The two robbers were armed,
one with sandbag and the other with
club, and in their attacks on Mr.. Da-
hertz used these weapons with intent
TO lay him out Mr. Dabertz defended
himself as best he could with pocket
KNIT, but would certainly have been
overcome had it not been for the timely
| appearance OF George Smith
MIR. Dabertz lives at the corner of
Mead and Pine streets The Santa Fe
! tracks run directly behind his home, and
| as was his custom, he was walking down
| these tracks TO his work at the corner
! Of Santa Fe and First streets When he
arrived at Central the first attack was
made. The two colored robbers rushed
at him from the shade on the west side
| of the track. 1t was very dark, but as
the foremost man neared him Mr. Da-
about a foot long, realized that he was
to be held up. He drew his pocket knife
and. backing away from the man who was
attacking him, slashed right and left.
He was hit on ,ne arm once with the
sandbag, but managed TO avoid body
blows. The second colored man did not
| take an active part in this struggle. but
stood close behind his partner After
fighting some time, Mr. Dabertz had an
opportunity and took TO his heels, run
ming west a block on Central to ST Fran
els, turning south at the corner. The
two men followed him for some distance
but he thought they had given up the
chase, as he could not hear them as he
went south on ST. Francis He wanted
to be on the safe side. and at Third
street went a block east again TO the
tracks, thinking that he would throw the
two robbers off his track.
1t is thought the men went down the
alley. as he did the street for he en-
countered them again at the corner of
Third and Santa Fe. BY this time he
was almost completely winded and badly
frightened and began crying for help.
George Smith "a colored mon. lives in a
was known by sight. but not by name.
to Mr.. Dabertz, who. in his excitement.
continued to call John! john at the
top of his voice. thinking that was the
colored mans name. Both of the robbers
joined in the attack this time and they
fought fiercely, as they were maddened
by the fight their victim was putting up.
ne first blow struck by the man with
the club grazed his head, striking him
on the shoulder.
Mr.. and Mrs Smith were awakened by
the calls for help and the wife advised
the husband to get up and see what was
the matter. When Mr.. Smith went to
the door he could see the three fighting
plainly. as they We're not far from
street lamp. He called out: Who is it2'
and Mr.. Dabertz answered: ITS Lou;
for Gods sake bring a shotgun! Mr..
Smith stepped hack in the tent for the
weapon and when he reappeared the two
robbers ran north along the track. Mr..
Dabertz was completely worn out and
could not have stood the attacks of the
men much longer. He evidently wounded
one of the men. as there was considerable
blood on the knife.
Dabertz and Smith followed the two
robbers up the track. catching sight Of
them once. but could not get within
shooting distance.
Many of the people living near the
scene Of the second attack heard the noise
OF the struggle and the cries but when
they subsidized did not get up TO investi-
gate. and did not know what had occurred
until they got up in the morning
Both Mr. Dabertz and Mr.. Smith could
give good descriptions OF the two men
and are confident that they can identify
them The descriptions they gave cor
responded in almost every detail with