Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-09-20

robbers had disappeared through a
rear door of the sleeper While they
were ransacking the sleeper not a head
was to be seen, but after they had gone
some of the passengers were as bold
as lions. Some flashed guns and told
| what they would have done had they
known what was going on, but they
were careful not to make any gun play
while the robbers were at work"
Stewart continued to Denver, and
while there hunted up the address of
former tri-city man. He found the
place-a fiat apartment-and he enter
ed the hall While debating which way
to proceed he heard some one say:
well, took it."
Kept Acid Bottle.
He turned around and saw a man
sitting on the edge of a bed. In his
hand was an empty bottle that had
contained carbolic acid. Stewart has
the bottle as a souvenir. The mans
name was Melvin E. Gross, and while
his brother Paul went to the drug store
for an antidote, Stewart secured a pan
of milk. He attempted to force Cross
to drink the milk, and for his trouble
received a jolt on the chin that put
him to sleep. Paul returned with a
bottle of alcohol, but Melvin refused
to drink it, saying that he wanted to
die, and passed away an hour later
Paul Cross grew morose after his
brother died, and his wife asked Stew
art to sit up with him that night
ca y
it nearly cost him his life. About 1
o'clock the next morning Paul Cross
left his room and walked to the room
where his brother died, Stewart fol-
lowing. All of this time Cross had re-
fused to speak word. After getting
in the room where his brother had
taken his life, Cross suddenly locked |
both doors, then turning to Stewart he |
said:
Struggled for Life.
"By -! My brother died |
ing to follow him. You have followed |
me around all night and you might just |
as we'll go with u.s.
He jumped and seized Stewart by |
the throat and started choking him.
Stewart admits that he thought his |
time to cash in had arrived. for the
man hung on to his throat like a bull
dog. He finally dropped to the floor
like a log. Stewart unlocked a door,
and a crowd that had gathered rushed
inside. Some one pronounced Cross as
dead, and Stewart says that the infor-
nation made him feel queer "A doctor
|
consciousness.
Later in the week Stewart found his
friend, and he was in the fiat apart
ment where he had had his thrilling
experience. Stewards friend was Ill
with typhoid fever, and a doctor was
called The doctor requested Stewart
to take care Of the sick man, which re-
suited in Stewart figuring in another
incident.
Early one Sunday morning the med
cine gave out and Stewart went to a
ply. He had hardly stepped inside
when a revolver shot rang out. Come,
clean out, there, you guys" are the
words that followed the report of the
revolver. This transpired behind the
Ease, and Stewart frankly admits that
lie was too frightened to run.
Dies on Spot.
Considerable shooting followed, and
A man came from behind the case and
dropped at Stewards feet, remarking;
You've got me, pal; 1 am all in"
Stewart says the man died on the spot,
and was taken to an undertaker's es-
adjustment.
The man who was killed was Charles
Dare, alias English Charlie" a crook
1t the head Of a bad gang in Denver.
He had attempted to hold up drug
yist and his friend The druggists
friend grappled with the thug while
he druggist secured a gun and killed
lim. The death of Dare led to the ar
est of the other members of the gang,
i've In number.
Stewart says that he has had enough ,
If the west to last him for long time. ;
He admits that his story sounds a bit
doubtful, but he has clippings from