The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-05-30
AGED VISITOR
ROBBED NEAR
.BAYV|EW PARK
Alex. Beaton, Knocke d
Senseless, Robbed, Gagged
and Tied to a Tree.
THREE ARRESTED,
ONE CONFESSES
Lured to Outskirts of City by
Men Who Wanted to
Sell Him Farm.

Alex. Beaten, an aged white man,
vas knocked in the head, robbed, gag
ged and tied to tree abJ.5 ten blocks
north of Bayv1ew Park yesterday aft
ernoon about 8 o'clock. Three white
are under arrest, one of whom, police
officers say, has confessed and told
how the aged man was lured to that
remote section of the city on repre-
sentation that one of the number had
a farm for sale at a ridiculously low
price. The three men are Frank
Russo, recently acquitted of the
charge of white slavery; w. C. Raines,
dismissed from the army and who
had Just finished serving a sentence
of four months for assault and C.
H. Zika, who was formerly ar cleo
trical worker. The men are not well
known in the city.
Zika, the man who confessed.
played only minor part in the af-
fair, according to his statement. He
said Russo Matched the scheme to
rob Beaton, who boarded with Mrs.
Cole on West Intendencia street, and
in order to become acquainted with
Beaton room was taken at the same
boarding house by Russo three or
four days ago. Yesterday morning
Raines, also became a boarder there.
str.r sii1r lsrcasHs il ZfRa. Clio Va
supposed to be the i--ssn having tae
farm for sale, and who would meet
Russo, Raines and the victim at the
corner of Sixteenth avenue and
Twelfth street. Zika, however, went
out on the same car as the other
three, unknown to Beaton, and when
the above corner was reached he left
the car on the opposite side and walk
ed around it, thus giving the appear
ance of being at the point awaiting
the arrival of the others.
Zika says Russo asked him on ar
rival, "Well, old man, how are your
chickens and other poultry ?" to which
Zika said he gave an unsatisfactory
reply and then called Russo to one
side and endeavored to pursuade him
to abandon the job, as it was dan
gerous, but Russo and Raines would
not listen to his advice.
The four then proceeded towards
Bayview Park and then north about
eight or ten blocks to a thickly wooded
section, where the farm was supposed
to be located. Beaton was anxious
to secure small place near the city
and anxiously inquired as to its loca-
ton. Raines, according to Zika,
walked behind and when Beaton's at
tention was attracted by Russo.
Raines knocked Beaton in the head,
rendering him unconscious.
Zika says that both Raines and
Russo went through the pockets of
Beaton, the former taking out a roll
of bills enclosed in a tobacco sack,
while Russo took some small change.
Beaton remained unconscious, but
showed indications of returning to his
senses soon, so his suspenders were
removed and these used to bind and
tie him to small tree. He was then
gagged and left and the three started
back for town, going west to Twelfth
avenue and then south to Thirteenth
street.
In the meantime, Beaton had recov-
cred consciousness and wandering
about, found house in that section,
where he told woman what had oc-
CURED. Just then Deputy Sheriff
Yniestra and Special Officer Hall, who
were in that vicinity, passed and
were told of what had occurred. They
placed Beaton in their buggy and
started for town to head off the men.
The latter were found at the car
line waiting for car and when they
saw the officers, Raines made a break,
fleeing through the yard of the Clubbs
estate. Officer Yniestra jumped from
the buggy and arrested Russo and
Zika, while Officer Hall gave chase to
Raines, overtaking him within a
block.
The three men were taken to Jail
and there Zika told the story of the
plans and how the robbery and assault
had been committed.
A letter found in possession of
Russo indicates that his right name
is Anthony M. Kaufman and he has
a brofhor N AIrro, nl.,o