davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

tempt any man 10 go to such an ex-
treme.
Schmidt went to DR.. Fest, who
dressed his found, and found that
while the bone Of the thumb had not
been broken. nevertheless. it had
leen grazed by the bpliet, and whiie
it is not {. very serious wound in it.
self, it is exceedingly painful. This
morning the wound was still bleed
ing slightly. and this is regarded as
good sign, because whatever foreign
matter is in the wound, will be car
lied out by the blood. He viii be
laid up for some days.
Company Offers Reward
The street car company is acting in
% most creditable manner, for besides
paying Schmidt his full salary during
the time he is laid up, this morning
offered reward of $50 for the ar
rest and conviction of the highway
man.
The incident recalls another at
Tempt of somewhat similar nature,
that was made in the CITY about six
months ago. This time J. II. Noyes
was the conductor concerned, who
sfter some trouble mast sred his as
sailants-there were two OF them-by
striking one Of them over the head
with his controller handle, rendering
him unconscious, and putting the
other to fight. 1t is thought In some
quarters that the two crimes may
have been committed by the same
persons.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22
SPAIN RUSHING SOLDIERS
TO MOROCCAN FRONTIER

Madrid, July 22.-King Alfonso has
cancelled all engagements on account
of the serious situation in Morocco
Today the first line of reserves were
summoned to colors and parliament
asked for appropriations tor further
reinforcements, which will be rushed
to Morocco. 1t is possible General
Weyler. former captain ycneral Of
Cuba. will be given sWpreme command
in Morocco The liberal press is
Joining in the popular protest against
sending soldiers to Africa. alleging
the war Is for the sole purpose of pro
tecting private mining interests. The
newspapers demand convocation of
the Cortez and statement of the
governments intention.
Serious Internal Troubles
During the night, families of Span
jsh troops about to leave TO reinforce
the garrison at MililIa assembled at
the railroad station and attempted to
prevent the departure of their rela-
tives. A desperate battle with the
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22
TWO SHOT IN RIOT
AT KENosHA. Wis.

Milwaukee, July PA special dis
ratch from Kenosha. Wis. says that
in a riot at the plant of N. r. Allen
& Sons tanning company there this
morning two were shot md several
seriously injured. The strikers at.
tempted to prevent the reopening of
the plant A committee Of strikers
were in the general offices of the
company attempting to make a settle
ment of the strike at the time of the
shooting. Negotiations were imme-
diately called off by the company.
Armed strikers are parading the
streets and the governor has been
asked for troops to protect property.
The police are able to do but little
with the strikers. The company has
refused to hold further parley and all
departments of the plant are closed.
The inhabitants are refusing to be
sworn in as deputies. The sale of
weapons has been stopped by tire po-
lice.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22
GREAT SEA WALL SAVES
GALVESTON FROM ruin

Galveston. July 22.-- To the great
sea wall, gigantic mass of marble
and concrete II feet high and IL feet
thick at its base, finished four years
sgo, which yesterday withstood the
onslaught of the raging gulf hurri-
cane, is attributed the fact that Gal
weston still stands today, and that
there was not a reTetition- of the dis
aster of 1000 when the city was de-
stroyed and thousands of lives lost,
In the vicinity of Galveston the
only loss of life occurred at Tarpon
rier. wherc the waves swept ten per-
sons from the rocks and they we're all
drowned All night boats searched
the bay for their bodies, but return
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22
DETAILS ARRANGED FOR
OPTICS MILITARY BALL

Say, boys, you of the New Mexico
National Guard. tomorrow night is
soing to be an event in your lives
which none of you will soon forget.
You are going to have the best kind
# time. Just think Of It, you are
10 be honored guests at The Optics
big military ball and Las Vegas 30
ciety is going to turn out in full force
20 help The Optic show you a good
time. If there is anything you want
tomorrow night, just 'holler" and
you'll get it.
All day yesterday and to-day force
of workmen have been busy getting
the Duncan opera house, where the
ball is to take place. ready for the
occasion. The seats have been taken
out, the floor scraped. cleaned and
waxed until 1t is slick as elass. And
the decorating of the theater is being
proceeded with. too. This IS to be es-
pecially fine. If there is anything
that The Optic has overlooked in ar
ranging this affair, why it is certainly
not its fault, for every possible detail
is being looked after personally by the
members of the editorial staff. The
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

police followed. clubs aud revolvers
being used A dozen were wounded
ond many arrested.
The civ;i government at bilbao has
authorized meeting to protest
against the war. Professions are be-
ing organized and rioting + feared
It s rrported from Alserias that
ratises III the souk region Of Moroc.
co are preaching holy war and
preparing to join the trlbesmen be-
core MiliIIa.
General Merina. commander of the
Spanish troops in Morocco. reports
the Moors displaying desperate cour-
Gge and using modern weapons He
predicts long and hard campaign
Battalion Revolts
Barcelo,ia, July PA riot broke
cut here today among the troops
about to embark for Maliila. An en-
tire battalion revolted and threatened
the colonel and other officers with
bayonets. Other troops disarmed the |
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22
WEALTHY RANCHMAN VICTIM
OF DEADLY lightning BOLT

Special to The Optic.
Roy, n. NJ, July %. - Benjamin
:. Schneider, farmer who lives
On claim near Mills, Mora eounty,
was found unconscious on the prairie
last Monday by Henry Tebbort, a
neighbor.
Although complete details ara lack.
ing as to the affair, it is understood
that SEINE ider started out on horse
back from his claim last Friday
afternoon about 4 o'clock. in search
of some discarded railroad ties, which
he proposed using as fire wood.
Late Sunday night Henry Tebbert
Eeean to wonder where his neighbor
WIS. and shortly afterwards started
70 make 4 systematic search for him.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

In the early hours of Monday
morning, Tebbert came upon the un-
conscious body of the unfortunate
man and brought him to Roy for ade-
quate medical treatment. Tebbert
saw that the prostrate man had been
struck by lightning, as his horse was
found dead beside him. Although the
physicians did everything possible to
save his life, the exposure Of Sc
hours on the prairie proved too much
and he died Tuesday morning.
Schneider was an unmarried man Of
sbout 40 gears Of age. who has been
living for some time alone IN the
vicinity of Mills. He had several re-
iatives in Jefferson City. NO. and the
body was shipped there for burial.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

members CT the staff will act as the
rloor committee at the dance. intro
duce you around and see mat you get
started Off right when the music be-
gins.
VIII there be plenty Of girls. ma
irons and danes at the ball? Well,
We shoul1 say so. We've arranged
that part of it by inviting every trip
per or the light fantastic in the femi-
nine worIl to come out and help us
entertain. Present indications are
that there will be wore girls than
boys. so you see you'll not be disap-
pointed n this respect.
Watch tomorrow evenings paper
for the fiial announcement. The mu-
sical pros-arn. committees. etc, will
appear in The Optic. The programs
will be handsome souvenirs Of the oc-
casion ana there viii be plenty to go
round. Now, don't forget tomorrow
Is the night: don't forget !he special
street cars that will carry every man
in uniform to and from the encamp-
ment grounds free; don't by all
means forget to be there and to bring
) our girls.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22
SURGEON TESTIFIES
SUTTON SUIClDED

Annapolis, Md, July a. Surgeon
General George Pickerell, U. S. NJ,
who attended Lieut.. Sutton after he
was shot. testified today that the bull
let entered Sutton's head on top near
the back and little to the right.
This is much disputed
Surgeon Pickerell stated that the
fatal shot was fired within two feet
of Sutton's head and in his opinion
fould have been self-inflicted. Taking
the revolver, he Illustrated the man
ner in which he believed Sutton shot
himself.
Col. Dover. senior officer of the
marine corps at Annapolis, told of the
report of the shooting made to him
by the officers on the night of the
shooting. He said Sutton's heart was
still beating when he arrived but
that he died before he got to hos
pital.
On cross examination, Pickerell
said Suttons body showed no other in
-juries than the bullet wound, which
could have caused death.
Lieut. Willing. officer of the day,
related seeing fight between Sutton
snd Adams. and admitted saying, LET
Adams go ahead and knock Sutton's
head off" He told of taking the re-
s'olver from Sutton's han1 after he
shot himself and stated there was no
doubt but that it was suicide.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

through this city early today and on
which the hold-ups might be riding.
Cook Heard Shots
o. W. White, who is night cook at
the restaurant, was the only person
besides Baker near at hand when the
shooting occurred, and he was not ev-
en- in the restaurant at the time, but
had gone to the back yard for some
thing. AS he started into the htch-
en-, he heard a shot, followed within
few seconds by another shot. He
rushed in to see what the trouble
was and as he stepped into the htch-
en-, Baker pushed open the swinging
doors dividing the dining room from
the kitchen. White asked: What is
the matter, Jimmie?" but says he had
10 repeat the question before Baker,
who stood leaning against the door,
revolver in hand, after repeated eff
forts to speak, managed to blurt out
send for a doctor. send for a doctor
quick, I'm shot"
White hastened to the telephone
and told central to give him doctor,
Doctor Mills was called, as was. also
Or Grail and DIR. Gordon. White also
called police headquarters and in
formed Night Officer Ward of the
shooting. The doctors arrived
within a few minutes, as did al
so the officer. but while White
was at the telephone, Baker, without
uttering another word, reeled and fell
to the floor dead. He was beyond
all earthtly aid when the doctors
reached the restaurant.
H. B. Hubbard, proprietor of the
restaurant, was then informed By tele-
phone of the shooting of Baker, and
he ordered the body turned over to
J. c. johnson e Con, undertakers.
and it was removed to their morgue
Bullet Found on Floor
The bullet which killed Baker was
of 45-calibre. 1t struck him little
to the left of the center of his breast
piercing his neck tie and vest lapel
and came out at the left shoulder
blade. 1t passed so near the heart
as to inflict wouni which caused al
most instant death. This bullet was
found on the floor back of the lunch
counter this morning, while an em
ploye was sweeping out the restaur
ant. 1t had blood on it and a small
piece of splintered bone sticking to
it.
The shot fired By Baker at his muir
derer or murderers, was from a 49,
calibre Smith & Wesson revolver.
The bullet went through the window,
adjoining the front door at a rather
high range, but this is easily ac-
counted for. as Baker was mortally
Continued on Page a.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

The night of the 21st of July will
long be remembered as a night fa-
nous in the criminal history of this
city. Las Vegas is truly going back
to its early pioneer days. for besides
murder, the details of which are
given in the first column If this
paper, there occurred an attempted
hold-up of a street car, and one that
would undoubtedly have proved sue
cessful, had it not been for the nerve
or almost foolhardy bravery of Geo.
Schmidt, the conductor of the car.
The attempted hold-up took place
at about 9:15 O'Clock last night. At
this hour George Schmidt, who had
charge of one of the traction cars, had
just completed his run to St Anthonys
Sanitarium. and had turned the cleo
trio current off the car, in order tc
reverse the trolley, and start ON his
return trip to the plaza.
Schmidt had gotten out Of the car
and was walking around holding thu
! trolley rope in his hand, when hi
twas startled by the sudden approaci
of a man. who showed q revolver IL
his face with the command to throw
up your hands"
Schmidt Showed Fight
Schmidt, instead of complying with
the robber, reached for his Colts as,
which he always carries as an en-
ploye of the Traction company When
his assailant saw his hand move to-
ward his hip pocket, he fired, not
once. but twice, and his aim was so
good that he struck Schmidt in the
thumb of the LETT hand with one OF
the shots. This, while enough to feaze
an ordinary man, did not effect
Schmidt in the least. for he drew his
gun. and in turn shot at the highway
man, firing twice. His aim, however,
was not true, for he did not wing
his man, but the shots had the eff
feet of making his assailant flee.
=. Up to this time Schmidt had been
so excited that he did not know that
he had been wounded although as
soon as he did discover it, he fasten-l
ed the trolley in place. and brought
bhe car back to town as well as he
could considering the condition in
which his hand was.
Robbery Probable Motive
Schmidt stated at his home this
to a representative of The
Optic, that he doubted if robbery had
been the motive Of the attack. for he
had not collected as many fares as
usual considering the encampment. /
He had in his pocket exactly $3.50
Of the company's money. and $3.50
Of his own money, making total of
s12.4O. a sum hardly large enough to
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22
THREE HUNDRED LOSE
LIVES IN EARTHouAKE

Victoria B. G., July S2-The steam
CT Tricolor just arrived from Java. re-
rorts an earthquake on the west
coast of sumatra. in which 300 lives
we're lost, following the eruption OF
the volcano of Mount Kprintii, sup
posed to be extinct.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

James Baker. night manager at the
Meridian restaurant on Railroad ave
nue., prevented the robbery of this
restaurant at an e1rly hour this morn
ing, but it cost him his life. When
he reached for a gun under the lunch
counter, instead of promptly obey
ing the command of the hold
ups to throw up his hands, one of the
robbers shot him, inficting mortal
wound which resulted in almost in
stant death. Before the night cook
who was in the rear of the restaurant,
could reach the front part, the rob-
bers escaped out the front door,
through which they entered. and had
disappeared in the darkness. Up to
late this afternoon the police had not
the slightest clue ss to the murderers.
No Eye-Witnesses
The killing Of Baker Will perhaps
remain an unsolved mystery. There
were no eye-witnesses to the attempt
ed hold-up and subsequent tragedy,
as the cook was in the back yard at
the time of the shooting, and there
was no one in the front part of the
restaurant except Baker and his as
gailants. Baker is dead and the man
or men who killed him made their
escape unobserved. Although Night
Officer q. c. Ward was called within
a few minutes after the shooting, and
was on the scene within 10 minutes,
so far as known he made no deter
mined effort to apprehend the mur-
derers, fore after cursory examina-
tion, Ward took j. for granted that
Baker had committed suicide and let
it go at that. Chief of Police Ben
Coles did not learn of the murder un-
til this morning and the sheriffs Of
fee was not notified until almost
noon.
Summing up the above details, it
would seem that the murder or muir
derers have by this time put miles
between themselves and Las Vegas,
and their apprehension now seems
improbable if not impossible. There
were freight trains out during the
early morning hours both east and
west and it stands to reason that
they would have taken advantage Of
the first opportunity to get away. If
they are caught. il will probably be
due to the vigilance of some train
man, on whose train they may be
stealing a ride in an attempt to get
as far away from the scene of the
crime as possible. Not until late this
morning were kilograms sent to the
surrounding towns asking the officers
to watch for Suspicious characters a.
board freight trains which had passed
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

ed empty handed. The bodies will
probably be swept out to sea.
Working by lantern. gangs
labored all night repairing the rail-
road trestle connecting Galveston
with the mainland and railroad COM
munication was resumed by noon to-
day. This is the only bridge, snd un-
ill repaired the island is entirely cut
off, as ne launch will attempt to
cross the raging bay today. a
Reports from up and down the gulf
coast show that Galveston was the
center of the storm. Rolover. Cape
and and Patton beach. whore 300 peo-
pie from beaumont and other cities
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22
BOLD HIGHWAYMAN
SHOOTS TRACTION
GAR CONDUCTOR

George Schmidt Shows Fight When Com
manded to Throw Up His Hands and
is Winged by RobberAssailant Flees
When Fired Upon by Nervy Employe
and Makes Good His Escape.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22
RESTAURANT EMPLOYE
Who RESISTS HOLD
UPS, MURDERED

Attempt to Rob Railroad Avenue Lunch
Counter at an Early Hour This Morn
ing Results in Death Of James Baker,
Reached For Gun and Robbers Shot
Him Through Heart Thugs Escape.
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

Continued on Page a
Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1909-07-22

through this city early today and OF
which the hold-ups might be riding
Cook Heard Shots
The Washington times., 1909-06-11
PREDICTS UNUSUAL
GROWTH OF CITY
Commissioner West Also. Asks
Suburban Citizens to Help Make
Washington Beautiful.

In an address before the Congress
Heights Public Improvement Associa-
tion at its regular monthly meeting
in Congress Hall last night, Commits
sioner Henry J. West appealed for
the enthusiastic cooperation of the
suburban citizens for a more beauti-
1ul city and predicted an unusual
growth for the Capital within the
next decade.
'The problem which faces the Com
IniEsioners." said Mr. West, us the
spreading Of a small piece Of butter
over a large slice OF bread In spite
of this the citizens Of the District
are getting more for every dollar paid
"a by them than any other city IN
the world. The growth Of Washing
TON in the past few years has been
abnormal and with its growth the
problems of the Commissioners have
Increased At the present rate Of in
crease the District will have a popu-
letion OF over three-quarters OF a
million within the next decade"
Engineer Commissioner Judson urg-
ed the Improvement OF those sections
of the city where the people in mod
crate circumstance wished to locate
their homes
The Washington times., 1909-06-11

he would be forced to withdraw from
the case If Phil got into any more Irou-
bic with the prison authorities.
Daring did not know what to do. The
batch OF news made him weak and i'll.
He lay back on his bunk and looked up
at the ceiling overhead. One Of his legs
slipped Imply over the edge of his bunk.
he did not norice IL until a sudden
shout came from below.
Pull that red-striped leg up"
II was 8radshaw's voice and Phil
realized that now tie man was better
he would begin his Caunts again.
Without a word, Daring put his leg
back in the bunk
Below there was a continual mutter
Daring heard parts of It.
Think OF my bein throwed into a
cell with a murderer. It's a fine risk
I'm running. WOrkin beside him with
those red stripes on. The sooner they
shoot him the better"
Phil almost said Amen" 10 the last
remark. Yet he had rot given up all
hope and was still possessed of little
nerve.
The chatter in the burk below ceased
when guard ressed and Phil was
again allowed &c return 20 his pessl-
mistic thoughts.
Everything had gone wrong. II was
bad enough to be bothered in prison,
but it was frightfIe to have bad news
come in from the outside world.
He could imagine AIice's case. The
girls heart was true to him, and yet
her reverence for her father might
make her take a desperate step in a
rash moment
He would not write her a letter That
would do him no good She must fight
1 the thing out alone Timer father ana
the people OF the town were TOO strong
for her. she would probably be forced
TO do their viii
Just as these thoughts were op press
ing him guard came hurrying up and
thrust a white envelope through the
bars.
Phil reached down and grabbed IL.
This just come in today; II was over
looked with the other batch,'' explained
the guard, disappearing directly
derer, a double murderer in red
stripes" came a low voice from below.
Phil fiared up but paid no further at
tentfOn to Bradshaw's remark.
He looked at the envelope. II Was
Hurriediy tearing it open. he read.
Dear Phil:
Things have gone too far. have but
two roads open before me. You cannot
imagine the pressure here at home, and
I must stay here
II had money CROUCH I would run
away and hide. But I have none, so
must do one OF two things-elther
marry Bob or kill myself The latter
looks easier, but I must think Of my
poor, feeble father. I might marrv Bob
and then kill myself
It IS awful Of T4ie to write to you like
this. You have enough TO suffer But
I must explain to some one or 1 shall
go crazy.
It will all be over shortly, however
have promised father a lnal answer
within three days.
No matter which way ] make up nv
mind. you know that my heart always
Is yours. I believe the strain is telling
on nv brain This will probably be the
last time you will hear from me. For
ever, ALICE.
Phil tore the note to bits. His Jaws
snapped together and a grim light of
purpose came into his eyes.
He did not sleep that night He was
thinking OF the peculiar actions Of the
little man who occupied the cell oppo-
site 10 mis-. Phil had not let his mind
dwell on this before. Every time ne
had looked at this convict a fear had
The Washington times., 1909-06-11
ACROSS THE CORRIDOR

sprung up within him, and he had
drop1ed his eyes.
No. he wanted to see the little con-
Wet lie could hardly wait till morning.
II was Ike a bell calling 10 freedom
when the gong finally sounded. He hur-
rIed from his cell. and when he passed
the little convict as usual he went close
10 him and signed in Zip language"
what do you Want7 What have you
heen looking at me so strangely for
these last few mOrnings7'
! A glad light sprang to the others
eyes Reaching into the pail he car
rico the little man pulled out the soap
that fioated TN It, and dropped IL silently
into Pills pail.
The little convict walked on past him
and secured another bar of soap in
place of the one he had slipped into
Phu's bucket; while Daring hurried
back to his cell.
He had fought Off the thought of es-
cape all along, but now ii came to him
In sudden surge. and he was willing
to risk anything If he could only get
out and save Alice.
He had no notion of how he could
learn anything from the bar OF soap.
but the little convict seemed to know
what he was about, and he had made
the exchange with a dexterity that
had escaped the vigilance of the prison
guards.
The Continuation Of This story VIII
BE Found in Tomorrow Edi-
ffOn of The Tfnaea-