Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-12-23
ATTACK And ROB
ROCK ISLAND MAN
Three Youths Admit Rolling j.
A. Atkins and TAX
ing SIS.
PLACE ON RAILROAD TRACK
Expected Victim to Be Run over by a
Train, Destroying Evidence
Of Their Crime.

Singing J. y Atkins OF Rock Island
into semi-colsciousuess and robbing
him OF SO is a charge admitted by
three young men, little more than
bows. who we're brought before Magis-
trate Frank Gustafson in police court
this morning. Following their attack
upon Atkins they left him on the rail
road tracks TO be run over by train
The names. addresses and ages OF
the three prisoners are:
Clarence Tumberg, age IS, 4Ol Fifth
avenue. Moline
Charles Nelson. age %, 226 Forty
fifth street. Rock Island.
James Harmon. aged 10, 3OS Forty
fifth street. Rock Island.
Another member OF the gang has
not Vet been placed under arrest
News Of the attack upon the Rock Is
land man. which occurred Saturday
night. was suppressed Monday by the
police a. il was feared that publicity
would work disaster in their case. Ar
rests were made late yesterday. II
found guilty the boys face term OF
from one to IA year.
Stopped at Saloon.
While returning to his home, follow
ing a visit with his brother in Moline,
Mr.. Atkins. according 10 his story re-
lated to the police Saturday. stopped
a moment at the Hanson saloon on
Third avenue and Forty-siXth street,
Rock Island. In paying for drink he
displayed a roll of bills, and a young
man. who was a member Of the gang
which later attacked him, suggested
that ne buy the drinks. Atkins COM
piled with the request. and the sugges-
ton was then made that they secure
some lunch at a nearby stand. At
kins and the four young men left the sa-
Icon and started in the direction OF
the lunch stand. which is at Second
street and Third avenue. Moline
They found the place closed. With
the remark that they would be unable
10 obtain anything TO eat one Of the
youths stepped behind Atkins and
struck him a heavy blow upon the
side Of the head. He fell TO the pave
ment
The story told the police by the
three youthful prisoners at the station
differs but little from the story OF
Atkins. They admit that they remov- ]
cd the Money from the mans clothes I
following their attack upon him. and |
then dragged him from Third avenue !
TO the Burlington tracks.
Watches Operations.
4 Rock Island man. whose identity
IS not disclosed by the authorities.
was in the saloon at the time when
Atkins and the four young men left .
the place. knowing that thefts and .
rCLberies had been made in the west
end OF the city recently. he became
suspicious and decided to follow them.
Their voices near the railroad tracks I
attracted his attention aid when he
reached the Burlington right Of way
he found Atkins lying face downward
upon the tracks. What are you feI-
lows doing with this mani he de-
manded OF the four men who had not
yet left.
-Aw. Wen leave here for dead. was
their reply.
When they left the man got Atkins
on mis- feet and after much effort got
him to the No. 3 fire station. The DO
lice were notified and the injured man
was conveyed in the ambulance 10 the
staten, where he remained for the
night
Joe Doe warrants were sworn out
for the arrest Of the four members of
the gang Monday and search for the
guilty youths was begun Credit is
due the Moline police for their quick
arrest Of the gang members and which
gives evidence that they are capable
Of doing good work when furnished a
clue TO work upon.
Al the hearing held before Nagis-
trate Gustafson yesterday afternoon
the case was continued until Lee. 30.
and bond Of the three young men was
placed al $1,000 Atkins was in no
condition TO appear at the hearing.
which caused the continuance Of the
case
The mother OF Charles Nelson wasf q,
present at the hearing. Tears cours- :
Cd down her cheeks when her IS-year-
old son was led back 20 his cell. \
sister Of another member Of the gang !
was also present at the hearing.