Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-12-30
A CLEVER AND
DARING sW|NDLE.
Nose Goldsmith, Of Seattle,
Robbed of S2,7O0 at Towns
Leading Hotel.
FIRST CAUGHT WITH A DEAL.
Then Robber Compelled Him ut Point
or Pistol to Send 10 Bank for
Money.

Seattle. Wash, Dec. 29.--Mose Gold :
smith, theatrical booking agent an
owner Of the Strand theater of this
city, was held up In room of the
Lincoln hotel, one Of the most fashion,
able hostelries In Seattle this after
noon, by man who gave his name as
Burke and made to pay over $3.50, II
was one OF the boldest and best
planned tricks ever turned in this city.
Yesterday Goldsmith received tele-
phone message from Burke. who stated
that he had a proposition to make. A
meeting was arranged in an uptown
Office. Burke said he was from Butte.
Mont. and owned a half interest in the
Miner OF that city. He said he mad
$4,000 to invest, and would like to oiiy
an interest In Goldsmiths theatrical
business.
He showed what purported TO be Il
draft on the Butte Miner for that
amount. Goldsmith said he would sell
him an interest In his two VaudeVillt
theaters IN this city for that amount.
Ii was agreed that Goldsmith should
have the papers drawn up by his at
torney.
Today Goldsmith received telephone
call from Burke from the Lincoln hotel.
asking him to come up and talk over
the deal. Goldsmith and an employe
named Cohen went up, going to room
on the top floor. They were met by
Burke, who stated that he wished TO
talk to Goldsmith personally. Cohen
went to the office and Goldsmith re-
NAMED with Burke.
The first thing the latter did after
Cohen left was TO tell Goldsmith to
read letter lying on table In the
room. This letter stated that Burke
needed $3.50 very badly, and II Cold
smith did not come through with
that amount his head would be shot
Of Goldsmith turned to his companion
and looked down the barrel of re-
yolver.
Write out a check for the amount"
commanded Burke, and send the hotel
clerk to the bank for the money, $500
In gold and the balance in 800 bills"
Goldsmith did as told, aud called up
Cashier Lane of the Scandinavian bank
to say the check Was all right anu TO
pay It as directed.
The hotel clerk. f. X, Fleming, was
called to the room, Burke keeping
Goldsmith covered and shielding the
gun from Jennings sight. After Flem-
ing had gone, Burke told Goldsmith
to order drinks for two which he did.
and after the clerk returned with the
money he ordered two more, for which
he made Goldsmith pay.
Pocketing the money Burke Informed
Goldsmith that he was gentleman.
and shook hands with him. lie also
said he would not take Goldsmith g
diamonds He then made Goldsmith go
into the bathroom and warned him 70
make no cutlery for Is minutes. tie
then locked the door and left.
After waiting for about 10 minutes
Goldsmith began yelling, and attracted
the attention of a woman In the next
room. The porter was sent for and
Goldsmith liberated.
The police were notified at once, aud
detectives placed on the case. Gold
smith described Burke as being of
medium height and fnirly well dressed,
His hair and moustacne were jet black
and his eyes light blue, which causes
Goldsmith to think he was disguised.
Two trains of the Great Northern and
Northern Pacific left the city at
o'clock, and the police believe he
caught one or the other. The police
along the lines OF both have been noti-
fled Of the hold-up, and asked to search
all trains.
Cashier Lane of the scandinavian
bank telegraphed to Butte and learned
that no such man as Burke has any
interest whatever In the Miner. Chief
Delaney says 1t il the clcverest piece
OF work In the history OF the depart
ment.