Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-12-11
Two Desperate Men Attack and
Hold Up Leading Merchant
at Vincent
FIRED SHOTS At HIS FEET
When He Refused to Give Up Money
They Threatened His Life - Daugh-
ter Comes to Rescue, But Her Aim
Was Poor-Both Me Caught at Fort
Dodse-other News.

Fort Dodge, Dec. 1.-Ed German
an ex-convict, and Tom Smith We're
arrested here Sunday afternoon accus-
ed of perpetrating one Of the most dar-
ing robberies known in this section IN
years at the little town of Vincent. six
miles east of Fort Dodge, Saturday
night. Patrick O'Connor, the leading
merchant Of the village was beaten and
threatened with death until he unlock
ed his safe and the remainder OF the
citizens with the exception OF OsCoh-
nor's wife, daughter and son, so badly
frightened that they would not come to
his aid.
Saturday evening about IL o'clock
two men appeared at the home OF MT.
O'Connor, which is just across the
street from his store in Vincent, ana
stated that they wanted to buy some
supplies O'Connor had locked the
store about thirty minutes previous,
but had not retired and readily con-
scented to go back to accommodate lhe
strangers. He went into his bedroom,
secured some small change, thinking
they might present a bill in payment
for the goods and with his 17-year-old
son went to the store. After getting
inside the men requested something.
O'Connor turned to get 1t off the coun-
ter and when he turned around he was
looking into the muzzle Of 44-cal1bre
revolver. He sprang at the stranger
and grabbed with him. The struggle
was short, however, as he stumbled
backwards over a box.
The son had picked up target rlne
and started toward the struggling men
in hopes of being able to take shot
at the assailant without endangering
his parents life. Just as he was tax
ing aim the other man stepped inside
and struck at the youth with chair.
The boy evaded the blow and jumped
outside and ran to the house for aid.
AS soon as the boy left, O'Connor
was allowed to stand up. He was
asked about his money and threatened
with death II he did not answer quick
" and truthfully While parleying
with them, he succeeded In dropping
his bill book, which contained about
$50 behind the counter. At the point
Of the gun he was forced to open the
safe and take out the contents. He OBJ
jected and the holdup men began
shooting at his feet. Some of the bull
lets struck his toe, and after doing q
war dance he was more than glad to
accommodate them in any way pos
sible, begging for his life as he dis
covered that they would resort to any
means to get his cash.
Meanwhile, an 1s-year-old daughter
was standing at the door Of the store
with a shot gun In her hand. She had
picked 1t up as soon as her brother had
reached the house She discovered that
it had but one shell in it and was afraid
to shoot inside lest she strike her ia
Their.
Mrs. O'Confor and the boy rushed
around among the few residents of the
town entreating them to come to their
aid However, the citizens were so
badly frightened that none of them
would leave their homes.
After about thirty minutes had
elapsed. during which the robbers se-
cured oil the valuables in the safe and
The store, they made break through
the rear door for the lumber yard.
Miss OConnor fired the single shell
at the retreat .ng men. but missed them.
Mr.. O'Connor rushed back to the house
for more ammunition, and with other
citizens who had finally stirred up
courage to come to his aid, surrounded
the lumber yard Others telephoned to
Fort Dodge, and the sheriff and chief
Of police and two section men went
there on a hand car.
They found that the men had escaped
from the lumber yard and after