The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1906-02-03
A MYSTERIOUS MATTER
Thieves Fall Out, But It is Not Ger
tain Honest Men Have Received
Their Dues


The report Of a little difficulty in
the Ocala House this morning about
o'clock spread with such rapidity
that it has occupied the curbstOne
comments all day. and will not cease
until the end is in sight which will be
later. II seems that four men. strang-
ers in the city. got into a room in the
east wing Of the house and became so
noisy that the clerks attention was
called TO their bOiSterOus conduct, and
he had them leave instanter.
II follows that one Of the party re-
turned later, registered for room No.
1876, in the north wing Of the building,
and, as the story developed in the po-
lice court, the party renting the same
went out ami gathered UP his pals.
and they then sat down to a nice, quiet
game Of take who take can and keep
who keep can" 1t must have gone
along quietly and peacefully for sew
eral hours. as such games sometimes
do, when a fearful cutlery was made
which rent the air with shouts Of
murder. police. etc, when the room
was invaded. Three parties escaped
on the approach Of the guardians Of
bloody as a butchered beef, with his
head and face all bUnged up. and blood
covering almost everything. He was
asked his name and that of his COM
paniOns, which he refused to divulge.
He was washed and dressed by DR..
Hood and locked up in his room as
witness in case the fleeing gamblers
could be found. A search revealed two
Of them, one behind the big billboard
opposite the A. G. L. depot, and the
other in the rear of the Seed Store.
Both were locked up and given a hear
| ing this morning by the mayor. who
fined each $50 and costs. They gave
their names as ]. King and John
Page though these are known to be
bogus The men refused to pay the
/ fine. demanded a new trial and en-
gagged an Attorney to defend them.
Now comes the surprising part of
| the exciting story. The man found in
| room 135. all beat up. and who was
supposed to have done up the rest of
| the party in winning their wads, and
| they set on him in consequence. and
gave him such terrific blows, and as
stated. was locked up in the room for
| safe keeping. When the authorities
went back for him they found the
! door Open the catch to the lock screw
| ed off and the occupant gone. Inqui-
~ developed the fact that the man in
! the early morning attempted to get
/ out Of the house through the culinary
| department. but was turned back, and
| since neither hide nor hair was seen
! of him.
! These strangers who raised the ru-
! cas- were well dressed and were seen
playing pool during the evening in
the Ocala House Wine Rooms. but
who they are and where from is a
mystery Who knows but they may
be a part of the marauding party who
| has laid tribute on the parsOn and the
! doctor.
The two men in Jail about noon
paid up their fines and cOsts-$102.5 so
and departed. They had several
hundred dollars with them.
There are various surmises as to
/ who the men are. Some think they
| are green goods men, others think they
are professional burglars, etc. What
ever else they were they were
crooks" but our officers could not
/ hold them beyond the limit affixed by
| the fine The only mistake made was
! leaving the man locked in the room.
| He, too. should have been arrested
and Jailed.
! The management of the hotel de-
| plore the matter very much, but are
in no wise to blame. The men were
| gentlemanly in appearance, and no
manner of suspicion attached to them
! until the row occurred.