Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-14
AWES CLERK AND PORTER
Bandit Points Pistol at Employees and
Goes Through Cash Drawer.
MAKES ESCAPE AFTER THEFT
Man Was Disguised and Detectives
Fail to Get Clue to His
Identity.

pal chtiS eIiduScu DS Tie use Oh
matter. his coat turned so as to expose
the lining. and with black slouch hat
pulled down over his eyes, entered the
Office Of the Hotel Grand, 18th street and
Pennsylvania avenue northwest, this
morning about $40 O'clock, and walked
away with 1861 of the hotels cash.
The glistening steel Of a revolver pre-
vented j. 8. Bowman. the night clerk. and
Levi Wright, colored, the only porter on
duty at the time. from protecting the con-
tents OF the cash drawer or calling for
assistance.
So quietly was the robbery committed
that only the clerk and porter knew any
thing Of it until e. J. Gardiner. proprietor
OF the hotel, was communicated with
after the departure Of the visitor. Re
port OF the robbery was made to the
police without delay and Detective Wee
don, who was on duty at police head
quarters, was quickly dispatched to the
hotel by Lieut.. Hartley.
He went through the park or down
10Th street." the detective was told when
he reached the hotel.
The robber had had ample time to
reach the other side of the river
was not the slightest chance for the po-
lice to get him on the run.
Thought He Was Guest.
Levi Wright, the porter. was seated
next to the east wall Of the hotel lobby
when the robber entered. Mr.. Bowman
occupying a chair on the west side Of
the lobby, where he was partly hidden
from view by the cigar case, making it
appear to the robber that there was but
one man on duty.
Quietly opening the door, the disguised
man-the clerk thinks he was white
while the porter is Of the opinion he
was colored-sauntered in the direction
OF the clerks counter Wright. thinking
guest was entering, arose from his
seat and started toward him.
His heart almost ceased beating when
he saw Q pistol pointed toward him and
heard the command. Hold up your
hands!" He stood not upon the order of
raising them. but raised them quickly.
Turning to where Mr.. Bowman was
seated, the robber ordered him to sur
render what cash he had. covering him
his hands raised high above his head.
CLERK Bowman put his hand In his
thousers pocket and withdrew 81, all the
cash he had in that pocket, and handed
II over to the armed man, thinking that
might possibly satisfy him.
Goes to Cash Drawer.
"And now. the robber added, Il want
what there is in the drawer
'He put the revolver against my ear"
explained the clerk to the detective. 80
1 walked to the drawer with him. He
took about $25 from the drawer
When he had taken the money from
the drawer. the clerk explained. the rob-
Der backed all the way through the lobby
and out the door.
Mr.. Bowman and the porter waited a
few minutes. until they felt satisfied they
and then proceeded to see that the police
were notified. in order that they might
make an early start and perhaps over
take the 1fobber.
Il had been anticipating something OF
the kind in this city" said c. NJ. Edelin,,
day clerk at the hotel this morning. al
though l had not really expected it. 1
read of similar hold-up in the west a
few days ago and 1 thought one might be
attempted in the east. Such q thing has
Of years. The last time it was In New
England
Mr Edelin said he had left about $15
in the office last night to be used in
making change. it being unnecessary to
have any great amount Of cash on hand
during the early hours Of the morning.
Missed Nearly $50.
And the reason he didn't get it ALL,
said Mr.. Bowman. was that ne was in
such a hurry. He kept watching the
stairway to see if anybody would come
down to the Office
A count Of the cash later showed that
the man got so631 from the drawer.
He was a desperate man. said the
night clerk. land when he came in 1
all 20 0r n
Indian. He showed the gun against my
ear and made me take him to the cash
drawer, the porter walking with us with
his hands up.
He tackled the porter first. He made
him hold up his hands and asked him
at that time. When he did see me he
did not make me raise my hands. but
took my 81 and forced me to accompany
him to the drawer.
1T was dreadful thing to have pis-
tol showed against my ear that way lie
made the boy stay right with him while
he was getting the money from the
drawer and when he had got what he
thought was all the money in the drawer
he backed through the lobby to the front
door.
when he got out, he started west.
and went through the park or down 18th
street.
His Face Painted.
Mr.. Bowman said he thought the man
had used red paint on his cheeks.
After Detective Weldon had made an
investigation a description was sent to
the several police stations of a man who
was described as light-skin colored
| man. although later in the day Inspector
Boardman said he felt that the robbery
was committed by white man.
I'VE have absolutely no clue to the
| identity of the man." said Inspector
Boardman, but We will keep digging
| II we do not get him he will probably
repeat the attempt.
The police of other cities have been
| told Of the robbery and asked to lend q
| helping hand.
SEVEN BODIES RECOVERED.
Working on the Great Norman Slide