Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1910-02-24
HOLD UP MAN
LOST HIS NERVE
Richmond Drss Clerk Pulled Gun and
Drove Nogld-Bc RObber from
the Store


RICH NOND. VA. ~ Special -
The 1nuesal daring and rare pres
euce OF mine OF Samuel l. fretioN,
employed as night CLERK at the isich-
mOnd HoEaeo pathic Pharmacy, az SvA
East Main street. IL all that prevent
ed a repetition of the recent robbery
OF this store Thursday about = Z. NJ.
when. with q pistol staring him IN the
face the cool-headeG clerk. with
fiEhtning-iiSe movement picked up
pistol and compelled the would be
burEiar 60 beat a hasty retreat
The unexpected resistance on the /
part Ok the clerk took the man an
awaras an6 threw him completely or \
his guard. With his fingers nervously \
tvvitcnfng about the trigger OF the pis-
tot. the intruder backed out or the \
door and sped down the street.
The attempted hold-up occurred /
while the street was practically de- /
serted. the rain having driven pedes- /
trians indoors. Mr.. PrctlOw was alone 4
ta the store az the time.
Accordirg TO the story told by the /
clerk. ne was sitting in the rear OF
the prescription case. when the door Z
opened and what he presumed TO be
a customer entered
He got M and started for the front
OF the store 20 wait upon him. The
man held his right hand behind ms
back. as d. Concealing somethinE.
This fact attracted the attention 90
the clerk. who. upon glancing at the
glistening revolver.
Restraints an impulse 20 make n
quick dive for the cash reg ster. upon
which was lying revolver kept in
the store for protection. and retaining
his presence OF mind. the clerk walk
ed leisurely towards the coveted pls-
Before ne could lay hold OF the
weapon. however. the stranger
brought his hand from behind his
back and quickly raising IL 20 a level
with his shoulder, commanded;
This was an the stranger said.
"But." said the clerk today. "lt was
enough TO send cold chius running up
and down nos back
With thc INTRUDER advancing to-
wards the cash REGISTER and Pretlow
Elancirg down the aarrel of the pistol.
the ncrvy clerk executed coup
Without taking his eyes from the
pistol staring him Bon the face. Pret-
low eased bis hand towards the cash
register urti III rested on the handle
~ the pistol. Wifn GA quick upward
motion. DE raised the wc7 pom s. quick
asa fash and got O. head or the hold
except pr the intruder's oniuous
wing. Keep Slli" not word
passed between the two. who stood
facing each other with uplifted. lev-
Parado,.,aI as 10 may seem. the
two had each other 90 their mercy
Had the wouid-hc hu~-lar known 10
DE hac Use adNartlge. for while n.
held ir ffs hand "a dangerous smith
a Weseo- fhe clerk Wes relying or
Harris 81 .ohardson .-2-short
u was afraid 20 open cosulities.
the C'r- 90 a Journal reporte
this cas- 7 was not sure o
my weapon. as IL had nor been work
INK properly the last several times
hef occasion TO use 10.
Had B Sired and missed my aim %
had the tr..ger or hammer refuse
% work. r- continued. II DO no
doubt that r.y antagonist would haN
proceeded to pump me fun ~ lead
This Has contingency that i pre-
ferred a. avoid N possible
Tt 10 sasg go see why the intrude
Ill not care 10 start the ban a-rollini
II vas his object 20 execute the hold
up - Rolssicssly and quickly as pos
sible and depart he cid not eNpeS
% b~ thwarfad by tho clerk. and p
lest expected dose OF his own med
cine The unlooked-for turn the ~
cldent tooL Disconnected him. and z
was practically at the mercy or q
derk- He had everything 70 lose. n
clerk had nothing.
Phno-ophically looking az the ma
ter he PROBABLY deemed dlscrstic
the Better part or Nalor- WIN n
gun still levcled at the clerk. who.
the same time. kept a bead on hir
the quasi burglar backed towards q
door. and quickly turning. opens
Il and vanished
As ne passed out young Pretlo
sred once. hut could NOT say On
morning whether the bullet took enc
or not. as the man made 200 cutlery
AccOrdinr 90 description OF 81
man furnished by the clerk, he ~
probably about tWeuty-tour years ol
Of slender build, smooth shave
with h-gh cheek bones ANA peak
nose RE wore "a long, ugut rrat
nette. Ills height WAS ano-t Feet
inches. Preuow IS about TWO yes
younger.
The attempted robbery is the sd
ond that has occurred at this corn
within the past several months
In the early part OF last NoNemt
this same store was the scene Of
successful ho.c-up. the burglar IN q
instance seclr.u- about $50 In mon'
S T.. EversCIe was In charge NJ ~
time and upon the night of the 70
berry he was caught completely OF
guard
srlt OF November. a similar robo'
secured at J.. T. Wrights drug sto
81 I.ors harGy and Broad streets.
DrOprietor himself being the Wet
an tAree cases are remarAa
snke.
The ATTEMPTED robbery OF last mis-
was reported 10 Captain McMaf
fhis morninc. Sergeant Detective
lev was detailed on the case.
The only thing that the police n
% work Cn ls the oescllptloN OF
man. which is said 90 tally with Q
furnished 90 the party who mad
hand In fhc other holu-ups.
CAPTAIN Mcmahon has lnstruc
his men TO keep q lookout FOR any.
answering the description furnisl
hy the clerk who evinces any disp'
tion 20 limp. OF who shows any II