Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1904 — SALOON ROBBERS AT KNIMAN. [ARTICLE]

SALOON ROBBERS AT KNIMAN.

The Ballinger saloon at Kniman was burglarized last Friday night and 500 cigars, four gallons of whiskey and a quantity of beer taken. A Swiss peddlar giving the name of Richard Wilkins, was arrested Saturday by Marshal Mechling of Wheatfield, about 2 miles southwest of Wheatfleld, along the Coal road track, and a part of the whiskey was found on bis person. He was arraigned before Squire Van Doozer and was bound over to the circuit court. Marshal Mechling brought the man here Monday and he was lodged in jail to await the September term of court. Wilkins says that another man fell in with him a few days previous to the robbery, and that this man wiis the party who broke into the saloon and stole the goods. Wilkins probably helped to carry off the plunder, however. When found he was under the influence of liquor, lying in the grass beside the track. He claims to be a traveling tinker and trader, and had a big bunch of keys and some repair tools in his kit. The other man has not been apprehended as yet.