Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-07-15


camped near the entrance to the alley
When he approached them they at
tackled him. They slugged him WITH
a heavy blunt weapon, striking him on
the left temple. The blow rendered
him unconscious They dragged him
into the alley. tore the rings from his
finger and the watch from his pocket
and then fed.
They walked east on the north side
at Second avenue. and as they passed
the door way of the NJ. x X. store they
tossed the watch into the doorway.
Poison does not know how long he
remained unconscious. He says when
he did regain his senses he climbed
into his automobile and started for
his home He gives no explanation
for not having reported the robbery
to the police Immediately.
1t was for this reason that the pO-
lice at first yesterday placed little
faith in his story. Authorities argued
that if there was any foundation to his
complaint he would have notified the
police on the night of the robbery in
stead Of waiting for hours afterward,
giving the holdu3 men an opportunity
10 escape.
Get Valuable Tip.
But later in the day police received
tip which led them to place some
faith in the story Poison told them.
Detective Cox and officer Ginnane ap-
peared at the Rock Island house bar
at 10 o'clock last night and took VIVA
len into custody He produced the
watch and diamond ring, which he had
hidden under the bar Police today
stated that they believed he planned
to make away with the receipts in the
al a q a.
tion that he intended leaving the city
last night
DownCy was arrested today by De
tcctive Cox at the New Harper house.
Police were confident that they would
secure the wedding ring. They re
covered the chain which was tossed
in the NJ & X. doorway from the own
ers of the store today.
Poison shows signs that the at
tack upon him was a vicious one.
There is a lacCratiOn on the temple
where he was hit with a heavy weapon
and rendered unconscious. The flesh
on his fingers is torn badly, having
been cut when the rings were jerked
from him.
Whalen came to Rock Island from
the Pacific coast sometime ago. He
has never been in trouble here before.
He is about - years old. DOwney Sc
cured employment at the New Harper
house when Moline went dry in May.
He previously was employed at the
Manufacturers hotel in Moline. He
is % years old. As far as police could
learn he had never been in trouble
before
No definite admissions have bee4
made 10 police by either of the men
The fact that they recovered the watch
and ring from Whalen, they state, is
sufficient evidence with more they pos
sess TO secure a conviction. They
also claim 10 have the complete goods
on Downcy.
Pcnitentiary il Convicted.
If convicted the men viii face pen
itcntiary sentences. The fact that
neither Of them has been in trouble
here before may tend to lessen the
punishment inflicted if they are found
guilty, but because of the seriousness
Of the crime il viii likely go hard with
them at the best.
General surprise was expressed on
all hands today when it became known
that the pair had been arrested on a
charge OF holding up Poison. Both
built up a wide acquaintance here dur
ing the short time they have worked
in the city and friends were unable tC
believe the story al first.
Poison came to Rock Island today 10
appear against the men at the prclim-
mary hearing. The warrant was made /
out before Magistrate c. J. Smith. It
was signed by Detective Cox
Split Over Division.
Whalen and DOwney might have
been able to get away with the al /
legged theft but for the fact that they /
disagreed over the division of the
spOils. It was through this that po-
lice were tipped off.
1t is said that DOwney went to the .
Rock Island house yesterday after /
noon to see Whalen. While they were
together he asked Whalen for a fair .
split in the haul. Whalen refused. it .
is said. and Downey is alleged to have
threatened that if Whalen didn't come
over with half of the spOils he would .
cough up to police. WhaIcn laughed .
at him ard they came TO blows. in
which innocent bystanders were .
struck
Il is understood that DOwncy then
told the police. At any rate the police
learned Of their implication in the
holdUp through the quarrel.