The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-07-02

FORCED TO OPEN SAFE
Imam Forced at Point Of Gun to Open
and Turn Over Money
Arrests Are
Made.

One of the most daring hold-upf
lever recorded in local police history
occurred last evening when three col
ored men entered grocery store IN
the residence district of the city, and
at the point of gun forced the pro
prietor of the store to unlock his safe
and hand over money, checks, and
stamps, the total value Of which
reached close to $4,000.
The robbery occurred at 9:45 yes
terday evening at a grocery store
owned by Nam Inman, 1911 Blon-
deau street. Mr.. Imam was in the
back end of his store putting things In
readiness for closing up for the night
/ when three colored men walked in the
front door. One Of the men remained
in the front while the other two
walked back to show case In the
center Of the store and looked in the
case as II they wished to make a
purchase. Mr.. Inman walked up be-
hind the case to wait on the men.
What will you have?" asked Mr..
Inman. Of one Of the men, having at
1 ~
their purpose Before an answer
could be made the man in the front OF
the store blew out one Of the lamps
which left burning only one small oil
lamp in the store, giving meagre
light.
Mr.. Inman had not seen the light
blown out and not until he turned to
the two men in front of him and saw
that one of them was leveling large
revolver at his face was he aware OF
what the men had entered the store
for.
Get yer hands up commanded the
negro who was holding the gun, and
Inman lost no time in complying with
the demand.
Now git around there and unlock
that safe.''
AS this was said the negroes came
around behind the counter and watch
behind that counter. While one NE.
gro leveled the gun at his head the
other kneeled down beside him on the
floor while Inman worked the combtn
alton with nervous fingers. When the
safe door came open Inman was forced
to hand over to one Of the robbers the
vaIuables that were in the safe while
the other did guard duty with the re-
volver The third negro remained In
the front of the store and maintained
lookout" on the street in front OF
the store. AS soon as the valuables In
tine safe had been turned over to the
robbers they made hurried departure
without word to the owner of the
store. The men turned to the right
on leaving the store and went out to-
ward the Plank road, according to In.
man who was somewhat confused by
this time.
AS soon as the men had departed,
Inman called the police station by
telephone and notified Chief Kenney
Of the robbery. Chief Kenney and
Detective Wilson went at once to the
store and started working on the case.
By 3 o'clock this morning the officers
had made five arrests Of suspicious
characters. Two Of these i've are be-
ing detained by the police and Chief
Kenney said today that he believed
the two men being held were implicit
ed in the robbery. Neither one had
on his person any Of the stolen goods.
but it is believed that the third, whose
arrest is expected soon, is now trying
to dispose of the stolen money and
valuables. Mr.. Inman was unable to
make a positive Identification of the
two men held as the store was very
poorly lighted while the robbery wan
being made. He is practically sure.
| however, from their size and the sound
OF their voices that the two men now
held by the police were two of the
three who entered his store last nigit.
The complete list Of valuables TAD
en- follows:
Three checks on local banks for a
total sum of $14.S0.
$3.50 in cash.
Three old Columbian half dollars.
200 pennies.
100 one cent stamps, and 80 two
cent stamps.
Payment on the checks at local
banks was stopped early this morning
when the banks opened SO that there
is no danger Of loss on this account.