The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-02-20
HIGHWAY
ROBBERY.
Charged Against Prominent
Young Farm
erS.
Excitement High in
Marlboro Town.
ship.
CLAYT0E'S alleged ASSAILANT.
Marshal Bour Signed Warran Mt
Placed IN Canton City
Prison Tuesday
Night.
CLAYTOE'S ALLEGED ASSAILANT.


of the most prominent and previously
respected residents Of New Baltimore,
village in the northern part of Stark
county, were arrested and lodged in
the city prison here Tuesday evening.
The men are Lloyd Austin and Jonn
Baum and are accused of holding up
Vernon Clayton, of near Marlboro,
last Tuesday night and robbing him
Of 500. There was great excitement
in the little village when Marshal
Bour- and Officer Brisbin arrested the
men. The villagers were dumbfound-
ed, for Austin and Baum having al
ways borne good regulations, both
were considered among the most re-
spectacle families Of Marlboro town
ship.
Austin is the son of Duane Austin,
of Marlboro township. He is pros
porous farmer and lives with his wife
and child on large farm about two
miles east of New Baltimore.
Baum resides in the village, but
owns an SO-acre farm.
CONFRONTED BY OFFICERS.
Marshal Bour, Officer Brisbin and
Earnest Rich, clerk to Prosecutor Day,
arrived at New Baltimore late Tues
day morning. Brisbin remained in
the village while Bour and Rich drove
TO Austins home.
When confronted with the warrant
by Bour and charging him with rob-
berry Austin seemed greatly surprised
and stoutly professed his innocence.
His wife was completely overcome by
the shock. Baum was arrested in the
postotlice at New Baltimore but SO
quietly was the work done that it was
some time before the crowd realized
what had happened.
The prisoners were taken to Hart
vile and brought to Canton on an
evening w. & l.. e. train. The depot
at Hartville was crowded with an
eager and curious crowd desiring to
get glimpse of the prisoners. We'd
nesday morning Austins father, J. M.
Walker, Baum's sister and Lloyd Tay-
lor came to Canton to secure legal ad-
visers for the accused.
They were admitted to the prison
and had long talks with the prisoners.
DETAILS OF ROBBERY.
Claytons robbery, which occurred
last Tuesday night, stirred up the en-
tire county. A reward of $500 was
offered by the county commissioners
for the information which would lead |
to the arrest of the guilty persons
This was done at the earnest solicita- |
ton of a committee of four prominent |
residents Of Marlboro township ap-
pointed at a mass meeting of the peo- |
pie. The committee was composed of |
w. l.. Nash. S. s. Newhouse, e. N.
Sweitzer and Elwood Robertson.
Clayton was returning to Marlboro |
at night, when the robbery was com
mitted. While in New Baltimore he |
had attempted bargain with Baum
and Austin for horse, Offering to pay
$500 cash for the animal. The deal |
was not closed, however and Clayton
started on his way home in a buggy.
When he reached a lonely by-road
was confronted by two masked men
and at the point OF revolver was
to halt and hand over his
money. Clayton denied that he had
any money but one of the robbers cx-
claimed. You're liar, we know you
have 500"
Clayton then turned over the cash
and commanding him to keep straight !
on down the road the highwaymen
in the woods near the
scene Of the hold-up. Tracks in the
by-road show that they escaped in a
RIG and 1t is now thought that there
were three in the party.
When arraigned before Mayor Rob
ertson Wednesday, Austin and Baum
pleaded not guilty. They furnished
$500 each for their appearance at the
hearing which is set for Saturday. The
bonds were signed by Austin's father
and Lloyd Taylor.