The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-05-28

Noon.
This morning at 1:3O o'clock at the
of Front and Princess streets,
Costin, a young WQlte Nah held
up c. w. Stirling. q white fisherman
ii''ns Ae"t le fisheries, about fifteen
~ down the river, and at the polnl
of a pistol he compelled the latter TO
take out of his pocket all the money
he had. Before Costiu could take pos
session of the money Officer Il. FINER
who was standing on the opposite
corner, in front Of | Shriers store,
ran across the street n placed Cos
tin under arrest, at the same time
taking from the man the pistol when
he had placed in his coat pocket when
he became aware of the presence OF tie
officer. Costin was taken to police
headquarters and placed in nhn
ment under two charges, n being for
an assault with a deadly weapon and
the other for carrying a concealed
weapon. While the charge of highway
robbery has not yet been preferred
against Costin, there is every prooa-
| bility that it will be when the case is
| called for trial on Monday at noon
| before Mayor Springer.
When CostiR was seen by a reporter
| at the city hall after be had been ar
| rested, he was too drunk to make any
| statement with regard to the matter.
| An examination OF the pistol which he
| had, revealed the fact that it was not
| loaded, but this does not lessen in the
| least the seriousness of the charges
which have been referred against
him.
Mr.. Stirling stated that he had no
intimation of the purpose Of Costln
until the latter had presented the pis-
toll, and had demanded money. Stirl-
ing said he was standing near the Con
solidated Company's clock at Front
and Princess streets when he heard
| some one approaching from the rear
He paid no attention to this person
believing him to be q mere passerby
and when Costin, without a word drew
the pistol from his hip pocket, Stir1
ing deemed it the best policy to follow
out the command with regard to Civ
ing up his money, and that without thu
least possible delay, as he believed
that the drink crazed man wht
had attacked him might shoot him OF
the slightest word or gesture OF re
fusal to comply with the order. Will
X holding the money in his hand, Stir1
ling states that he noticed two gen
tdemen standing on the opposite cor
ner. and he then started to back il
hat direction. in hope that he Nigh
secure assistance from them. One o
these CHANGED to be Officer Piner, an
when he noticed that the assailan
had a pistol pointed az the head O
the other man., he lost no time in go
ing across the street where the diff
Guilty was transpiring. The office
grasped Costin and placed him unde
arrest. at the same time, as state
above. taking possession of the pisto
When he was arrested, COstin, VIII
was very drunk, had his shoes an
stocking in one hand and was proceed
ing down the street with bare fee
He. of course. was net in condition t
realize the gravity of his breaches
the law. but this will be brought hon
to him when he is presented for tris
Monday. He is said to be employe
as a fireman by the A. G. l.. railroa
and is a son Of Mr.. Costin, who is a
50 employed as section master by tn
same corporation.
= Costin made no attempt Il resi-:
arrest, and was not SO drunk that +
= did not have sense enough to try
conceal the pistol when the officer a
rested him. 1t was stated at the cit
hall that a few moments before /
held up Mr.. Stirling, Costin also Dire
the pistol on a mulatto youth on PriI
=, cess between Second and Third street
, The negro was very much frightene
-, and Mr.. Stirling had no hesitancy
admitting that he was frightened
much as a man coafd De- and +
thought Costin was going to shoe
him at any moment.
, Costin was in an extremely into'
: icated condition, and this alone is r.
sponsible for his action in holding U
!. a stranger on the most public corn'
L. -