The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1907-10-04
MRS. WEST TACKLES THIEF
Mitchell Lady Had a Exc,t
ing Experience With a Thief
IN New York Flat

Many people will remember DR..
and Mrs. W.. l.. West, who we're
former residents Of Mitchell, the DR..
being a government inspector OF
cattle and for SEVERAL years, he
looked after that work in this section
Of the state with his headquarters at
Mitchell. After leaving here DR..
and Mrs. West eventually located in
New York. a few days ago Mrs. A.
Craig Bowdish received a letter aud
a clipping FROM the New York World
J which was sent by Mrs. West,
giving an account of her experience
W 18th a burglar, and also a published
picture of the brave woman. Mrs.
West, lives In a fiat, and one day
recently she went out shopping In
the afternoon. The day before she
noticed a young fellow hanging
around the Vicinity OF. the fiat, whose
actions we're suspicious, and later
proved so.
On her return from her shopping
expedition Mrs. West discovered
that her door was unlocked and
that a chair had been braced against
1T on the inside. From this point
the New York World gives the
following interesting narrative Of the
exciting Incidents:
As Mrs. West entered, the : ounR
fellow In the blue serge walked into
the dintng-room from the bedroom
adjoining. he swung q revolver
carelessly IN his right hand and said,
very politely but very earnestly.
Don't be alarmed, madam: g 3
you let me go. But If YOU don't''-
The young man levellied his pistol
at Mrs. Vests eyes, which are
steely blue and look straight at YOU.
He added, still most politely:
"lf you yell, l regret to say l will
shoot you."
"He certainly is an educated man,
said Mrs. West, narrating these in
terestipg events. "He used the best
language and had good manners. liz
seemed to regret that we had met
but only for my sake"
The brave woman "played pos
sum- as she put 1T. She p%retenuee
to be frightened.
snow you are sensible, madam
said her burglar, and, lowering hi!
pistol, he tooN a step toward a desl
in the dining-roOm on which he ha(
laid his hat with two jimmies in Ii
to hold it down. Instantly Mrs
West let her bundles fall and spring
ing at him, seized him with all her
strength, pinioning his arms to hi
sides, at the same time Missing IL
his ear:
CHOW, my fine young gentleman.
you be calm. For yJu won't shoe
me 10 anybody else."
In the top drawer of the desk DR.
West keeps a loaded revolver. Hi!
wife and The burglar struggled to
ward the desk he to get bis hal
and the jimmies. she to graf the re
volver from the drawer. He free,
bis left hand, struck her In the face
and seized his hat and one Jimmy
She clung to him. shriekine: h
dragged her to the door Of the publ,
hall and brought down the jimm,
; on her left cheek. splitting 1t, fellinI
her; then ran downstairs.
Che indomitable Mrs West chased
: him he outran her , turned In On
Hundred and Si1ty-third street ant
then in Fort Washington avenue
Mrs. West says She, In pursuit
passed dozens of men and cried t
them:
, "Catch that scoundrel. He's
thief; he tried to kill me-"
They looked at her; smiled an,
( walked on. On Fort Washingto
avenue came a cart driver ridin
home his horse.
"Give me your horse. "Mrs Yves
cried frantically. "I'Il catch tina
rut1an.n
The driver galloped after tn
burglar, who cut across bush-grow
lots and vanished.