Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1901 — A DARING DEED. [ARTICLE]

A DARING DEED.

Young Lady rianager of the Western Union Office Held-up Last Friday Night. A great deal of excitement was occasioned here last Friday even* ing, over the alleged attempt to hold-up Miss Spaulding, the young lady manager of the local Western Union telegraph office. Miss Spaulding boards with Mrs. J. H. Kinney, on Front street, and Friday evening left the house at about 7 o’clock to go to her office in the Makeever hotel block. When near the Hansen blacksmith shop some one came up behind her and caught hold of her, at the same time covering her eyes with his hand. It was snowing hard at the time and she had noticed no one about as she hurried along toward Washington street. At first she thought some young lady friend was attempting to play a joke on her, and laughingly attempted to remove the hand from her eyes. The hand, which she alleges was covered with a large, coarse mitten, was only held the tighter and slid down to cover her mouth, but she then, thoroughly alarmed, gave one scream and the man released her and ran away, accompanied by his accomplice. She alleges that there were two men, but in her statement in court made no mention of but one man touching her. She alleges that she was so thoroughly frightened that she could hardly reach the Washington street corner, where she sat down on the sidewalk. Mr. I. A. Glazebrook came along when she had sat there but a moment or two and assisted her into Haus’s restaurant, where she soon recovered her composure and went on to her office. The new 6 spread all over town in a short time and various rumors of who the guilty parties were, was afloat. One or two citizens had seen a man on the porch at Mrs. Kinney’s a few minutes previous to the hold-up, and another man presumably his accomplice, come from around the house, and the two had ran south on Front street. Owing to the blinding snow falling they could not be recognized, if, as supposed, they wore Rensselaer men, and were about the house to see when Miss Spaulding would leave. It was said that her purse containing about $lO was taken, but on the witness stand Miss Spaulding stated that the men did not appear to be in search of money, but she thought they intended to take her back in the alley for a baser purpose. Alleged suspicious circumstances connected two high school boys here who had formerly boarded with Mrs. Kinney, with the crime, and affidavits were made by Miss Spaulding against them— Oscar Oglesby, whose parents reside near Monon, and Chase Ritchey, son of O. K. Ritchey, south of town —and they were arrested Monday. The preliminary hearing of young Ritchey was held Monday afternoon, but there was not the slightest evidence connecting him with the affair. He proved a complete alibi and was discharged. Young Oglesby was examined Wednesday afternoon and there was no evidence against

him sufficient to warrant the court in binding him over, and he was also discharged. In the latter case, however, it was shown that young Oglesby was in the habit of carrying a revolver or two and he plead guilty to this and was fined $1 and costs, amounting to $11.45. Miss Spaulding came here from Greencastle last summer, and is a lady-like appearing young woman who has made many frieuds by her strict attention to her duties and womanly bearing. It is to be regretted that the rascals who are guilty of the base outrage could not be apprehended and brought to justice, but it is extremely doubtful if they ever are.