Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-28
LONE ROBBER
HOLDS UP CAR
COLLECTS 500 FROM SCORE OF
PASSENGERS
SLIGHT OF BUILD, MAY HAVE
BEEN WOMAN
shot Stops Move to Attack Daring
Masked Flgure--Gun, Hat,
Mask and False Mus
tache Only CleWs

Interurban car No. 1s, inbound from Re-
dondo, was held up and the passengers
robbed near Baldwin station at the South
ern Pacific crossing shortly after 8
o'clock last night The robbery was one
OF the most daring ever committed in
this vicinity. The bandit, who was fash
ionablv dressed, collected about $40 from
the messengers and then made his es-
cane from the car at Vermont avenue
covering his retreat with revolver. On
account of his slight build the police
think the culprit may have been
woman.
IT. T. Holman and Motorman j. Burke,
and was running on the Fortieth street
private right of way. When the South
ern Pacific crossing was reached the car
stopped while the conductor went anead
fo signal for clear track. AS ne
stepped back on the car man, his feat
ures covered with long black mask
followed him.
AS soon as Holman saw the masked
man he hurried into the body of the car
and announced to the passengers. 1--WE
are being held up In an instant there
was a scramble to hide valuables, and
by the time the robber came into the en-
closed part of the car nearly every one
had disposed of their money and watches
bv dropping them on the floor or hiding
them in their shoes.
In the meantime the robber was busy
OH the front end of the car. With big
automatic pictol to enforce his commands
he ordered the six or seven passengers
riding outside to line up on one side OF
the car and at the same time directed
the motorman to keep moving along
l.,
All Of the passengers obeyed the COM
mand and crowded to the right side OF
the car. The robber walked down the
line with his hat in one hand and the
revolver in the other asking for cash. The
passenger dropped in what they thought
would satisfy him.
AS he passed the last passenger, from
whom he collected but so cents, the rob-
Der called, "Stay where you are and don't
bother me or you'll get shot"
He passed into the center OF the car
and down the aisle, robbing each pas
senger as he went. AS he did not search
any of them and took what was offered
him without question, the sum secured
was but small one.
There were fifteen passengers in the
middle of the car and the sum they gave
up amounted to but $40.
The fholdup man did not attempt to ROD
Wf,&s he had completed the list OF pas
senggN he returned to the front of the
car and took seat on the step with his
back to the forward end and the big
pistol prominently displayed; keeping
every passenger seated.
AS the car approached Vermont avenue
a man rose from his seat near the front
end and, approaching the motorman as
IL to ask him to stop the car, kicked at
the seated bandit. Half rising from his
seat the man raised his revolver and
fired point blank. The bullet flew wild,
for as he kicked the passenger dropped
to the floor of the car and the bullet
plowed it's way through the roof.
Threatens to Fire
"If there is any more of that the
robber cried "Pll shoot the whole lot of
you so full of holes that you won't hold
water"
There was no further demonstration,
and when the Vermont avenue crossing
was reached he signaled the motorman
to stop. He stepped off the car minus
his hat mask and a false mustache he
had worn when he boarded the car. and
under the electric light a clear view OF
him was obtained.
He was a delicate and refined looking
individual His face was small and his
complexion bright and clear. His eyes
were blue and his brown hair hung over
his forehead and curled around his face.
1t had been noticed in the car that his
hands were small and delicate and care
fully manicured. He was dressed In
pair Of dark trousers and gray coat of
the latest fashionable cut. The hat
which he dropped was light Fedora Of
the finest quality. His clothing seemed to
be of expensive material
When the car stopped at Vermont ave-
nue. there were a number of people wait
ing to get on, and these he marshaled
aboard at the point of his pistol at the
same time commanding all of the pas
sengers on the car to remain where they
were Two boys who were waiting to
board the car evidently thought the mat
ter joke, for they put up bluff as If
to fight.
Beg Mercy
In moment the big gun was thrust
into their faces and they were command
ed to give up their money Seeing that
the man was in earnest they hastily gave
up 15 cents apiece and earnestly pleaded
for life
With light laugh the fellow motioned
to the motorman to go on. AS the car
started up he turned and ran rapidly
southwark and was soon lost to view in
the darkness.
When search of the scene was made
short time later by patrolmen from the
University station the automatic pistol
was found on the ground near where
the robber had been standing. Whether
he threw it away or dropped it in his
flight and was afraid to return for it is
not known.
II is the belief of the police that the
robber is a novice and that it was either
woman in disguise or man used to a
life of ease. In height he was about 5
feet inches, and his weight is judged at
1876 pounds.
The description given to the police was
furnished by e. G. Laux of Inglewood,
who was passenger, and who contrib
uted 81 to the robbers fund.
The mask, false mustache, hat and pis-
tol were taken to the University station
and it is hoped by them to trace the rob
ber