Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-08-29
WOMAN SAYS HE WAS
FRIEND OF THE FAMILY
POLICE PROMISE SENSATIONAL
DEVELOPMENTS WHEN AR.
RESTS ARE MADE IN RoAA@
WALK SHOOTING AFFAIR.

Atlantic City, N. j., Aug. 2S. -
Though Charles B. Roberts, the finan-
cier and clubman of Baltimore, who
was the victim of a mysterious shoot
ing on the board walk Wednesday,
night, is still in a critical condition,
strong hope is entertained that he
will recover. He told the police today,
something Of the man who shot him,
and acting on a faint clue they are
trying to clear UP the mystery. Mrs.
Williams, who was in the rolling
chair with Roberts, and negro push
er, were subjected to sharp cross
examination. Mrs. Williams told the
police that a masked man did the
shooting. The negro chair pusher adj
mits he was frightened and ran away.
Was Friend Of Family.
Mrs. Williams made emphatic de-
nial when asked whether the man
might have been her husband. She as
serted that Roberts had long been
family friend and her husband knew
him as such. Mrs. Roberts, who is a
daughter of the late Banker Sloan of
Baltimore, arrived last night and Is
now at her husbands bedside. The
police scoff at the theory Of highway
robbery and hint Of sensational devel-
opments upon the arrest of those
whom they have under suspicion.
Suppress Facts of Crime.
The shooting has thrown the entire
resort into the greatest excitement
Although the shooting happened last
night, the injured man was secretly
| spirited to hospital and details of
the affair were SO carefully suppressed
| ~.
that the news did not leak out until
today. So far the police have been
completely baffled, hux are working
out several clues and arrests are ex-
pected in few hours.
According to statements issued last
night, Roberts and Mrs. Williams had
supper in the cafe at the Hotel Shell
burn late in the evening, followed by
a ride on the boardwalk in closed
rolling chair. A driving rain had
cleared the walk Of nearly all Of its
promenaders and the promenade was
| deserted at the upper end. AS the
chair proceeded towards Rhode Island
avenue heavily masked figure sud-
denly darted out Of the shadows,
snatched away the rubber covering
the front of the chair and quickly
ordered Roberts to get out Scarcely
had the society man touched the
boarwalk when the stranger raised,
a revolver and fired at him at close
range. Roberts fell with groan, and
a stream of blood trickled from the
wound and dyed the shirt bosom Of
his evening dress brilliant crimson.
/ Two blocks away Alfred Rust
policeman, heard the shots and rushed
to the scene. He saw a stylishly
dressed man staggering to his feet at
the side of the rolling chair in which
a young woman, handsomely gowned,
was weeping Historically.
Quick! Take me to hospital"
gasped Roberts, as the bluecoat ran
up. AS he was placed in the rolling
chair and hurried up one of the
avenues Roberts briefly told the police.
man he had been held up by a
masked man and gave him what little
description he was able to supply.
Husband Thought Wife in Boston.
Baltimore, Aug. 2S.--The husband
OF Mrs. Williams returned from Eu.
rope on trip last Monday. He ex.
pressed surprise when told the wom-
an with Roberts was his wife, saying
she was in Boston the last time he
heard from her. He said he was a
close personal friend Of Roberts.