Putnam patriot., 1913-04-04
Bold Daylight Robbery

SUI ICStaiif dt His uothC oh aio street, was made to throw up his hands while his assailants took seven dollars in money from his pocket and then re- turned the empty pocket book. The wicked looking pistols were held at LeClair's body in the hands of Tony Russell, Is, Thomas Drasco, 10, and Tony Rasen, 20, and the robbery took place shortly before 10 o'clock Monday morning. LeClair tells the following story of the occurrence;
 While he was in his yard three men came in. They were Italians and two of them were known to him as they had worked on the sewer while 1t was in the process of construction. One of them he knew as the "water boyn as it was his job to supply the men with drinking water. After a few minutes conversation the men asked ILeClair if he had any milk and he said he had. The four then went into the house and the milk was produced and several glasses drunk. The milk was then paid for and just as the money was handed over one of the men reached into his pocket, pulled out revolver and ordered LeClair to throw un his hands, at the same telling his compan- ions to "eome onn and in compliance to the request they too whipped out pistols. With an oath and a vile epi- thet the men told LeClair if he moved or smade an outery they would kill him. One of them then reached into his pocket and took out his pocket book After extracting the money, about S7 the empty book was returned.
 While two of the men kept beClair covered the third wept up stairs and ransacked the house. He took a re- volver which was on a table and few other things. When he returned he brought strap and LeGl airs hands were bound behind his back after he had been made to take an oath that he would not tell what had happened on pain of oeath. During this time the curtains of the house had been drawn and as LeClair lives alone and has few visitors, which was well known to at least one of the trio, they knew there was little possibility of interruption. With further caution not to move or tell what had happened the men left locking the door behind them.
 LeClair was not long in freeing him. self and at once made tracks fer the police office and told his story to Cap tain Murray. As the men had men, tioned going to Providence 1t was be- lieved they had started southward and officers in that direction were called on the telephone and given a hurried account of the affair and a description of the men ,one of which was that they all wore tan shoes. Their capture thereafter was speedily accomplished.
 Deputy sheriff Michael Grimshaw, who lives in Attawaugan, made the capture. Arming himself with shot gun and getting man in the village to go with him to drive his horse, he started out. He heard of men being seen near Aexander's lake sbut these proved to be railroad men. Soon after he heard of three young fellows that were walking along the highway lit- tie farther on and he soon overlook them. As his wagon approached close to,them he jumped out and ordered the three to throw up their hands, and when they turned around to see what it all meant they were looking into the muzzle of double barreled shot gun. Two of the men immediately compiled with the order. The third put one hand up but with the other at. tempted to reach his hip pocket. "lf you draw a gun I'll blow the top of your head of, and l mean business" sad the sheriff, and up went the oth- CT hand. A man working near by saw the proceeding and came on Ithe run. The sheriff asked him to search the iIlCIl anu llC oiA oc. tit soco V iNfN'- yer, money, and small articles from each. Handcufied together. they were taken aboard trolley car and brought to this city. Deputy sheriff :Holbrook in his automobile with Captain Mur- ray, Special Officer O'Brien and Le- Clair started out to meet the party and as soon as they were seenLeClair iden- tified them as the men wanted.
 A special session of the city court was held at four o'clock to dispose of the cases. The imen plead not guilty through their guardian ad :litem, pro- bation officer A. w. Bowen. After the states case had been put in, which was in substance as above, the men wanted to tell their story. After being duly warned they took the stand. They said that they came from Provi- dence looking for job. They spent most of their money. They went to LeClair's house and asked him for money to get to Providence. LeCiair said he had none, They then said