The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-12-14
BOLD HOLD-Up AT
VINCENT, IOWA
efoREkEEpEH HonpHp uNuHa
THREAT or DEATH.
FAMILY ATTEMPTS TO AID HIM
Citizens Too sadly Frightened 20
Leave Aomee-rhleves Captured
IN Fort pooue - ldsntk
fled ny o'ceanor.

Fort Dodge, ias Dec ii.--Ed Cor.
man, an ox.conyict, aud Tom Smith
were arrested here this afternoon &C.
cused Of perpetrating enc OF tho most
daring robberies known in this Q Q
ton in years at the little town OF Win.
cent, six miles east OF Fort Dodge,
Saturday night. Patrick o'Connor,
tho leading merchant OF the village,
was beaten and threatened with death
until he unlocked his safe and tho re-
maindor Of the citizens, with the ex-
ceptlon OF o'Connor's wife, daughter
and son,so badly frightened that they
would not come TO his aid.
About ten o'clock at night two men
appeared at the home OF Mr.. o'Con.
nor, which is just across the street
from his store in Vincent, and stated
that they wanted TO buy some sup
plies. o'Connor had locked tho store
about thirty minutes preyious,but had
not retired and readily consented to
go back to accommodate the strang-
ers, After getting inside tho men re,
quested something. O'Connor turned
10 get It off the counter and when ne
turned around he was looking into the
muzzle OF a 44.caliber revolver. He
Bprang ut the stranger and grappled
with him. The struggle was short,
however, as he stumbled backwards
over o box.
The son had picked up a target RI
ne and started toward the struggling
men In hopes OF being able 10 take a
shot at the asBailant without endan-
gering his parents life. Just as he
was taking aim the other ma step
ped inside ana struck at the youth
with n chair. The boy eyaded the
blow and Jumped outside and ran TO
the house for aid.
AS soon ms the boy leIt, O'Connor
waa allowed TO stand up. He was
asked about his money and threatened
with death II he did not answer
quickly and truthfuliy. While parley-
Ing with them, he succeeded In drop
ping his bill book, which contained
about $50, behind the counter. AZ
the point Of the gun ne Al forced To
open tho safe and take out the con,
tents. He objected and the holdup
men began shooting at his feet,
Some OF tho bullets struck his toe,
and after doing a war dance no was
more than glad 10 accommodate them
In any way possible, begging for HIS
life as nc discovered that they would
resort TO an" means to get his cash.
Meanwhile, an 1~S.year-old daughter
was standing at the door OF tho store
with q shot gun In her hand. She
had picked II up as soon as her broth.
or had reached tho house. inc dis
covered that II had but one shell In
II and was afraid to shoot inside lost
she strike her father.
Mrs. o'Connor and the boy rushed
around among the few residents OF
the town ~entreating them TO como 10
their aid. However, the citizens
were 80 badly frightened that none
OF them would leave their homes.
After about tnirty minutes had
elapsed, during which the robbers
secured all the yaluables In the gaie
and the store, they made q break
through the rear door for tho lumber
yard. Miss o'Connor fired the sin
gle shell at the %retresting men, but
missed them.
This afternoon the two wero arrest
Cd as they were going 10 a restau'
rant for n lunch. Smith had shaved
of his heavy mustacne. The checks
and money taken from o'Connor'1
store we're found on him.