Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1880 — A Daring Deed. [ARTICLE]

A Daring Deed.

A robbery occurred in open daylight yesterday, in the presence Of numerous witnesses, which for boldness and daring laigely resembles the robbery of . the messenger of the Illinois Central Road some time ago. In this ease the victim is a corporation that handles large amounts of money, and should by experience have known the danger of trusting two men with a little fortune. it appears that the Chicago Gas-Light and Coke Company pays its men at the North Side works on the 15th of each month, and those on the South Side on the 16th. The employes at the -former were paid “Thursday, receiving some $12,000. Tlie money is generally oonveyed to the works by a clerk; and driver in a wagon. These wagons are covered and similar to those used by the express companies. The clerk is always armed with a pistol which he keeps ready for use. Entiy from the rear of the wagon is impossible. Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock Mr. Thomas B. Wells left the downtown office on Dearborn street, in company with the driver of the wagon. About $7,000 in coin was 'deposited in the floor of the wagon. Mr. Wells-car-ried his pistol in the breast- pocket of his ooat. Everything proceeded os usual, until the w agon reached Deering street, within one clock of the works, situated on the corner of Cologne and Deering streets. Herd the street was muddy, and driving went slowly. This point was reached at two o’clock, when suddenly three men wearing masks and caps appeared upon the scene. One held the horse, the two others jumped upon the wagon from either side, threw Mr. Wells and the driver from their scats into the tnudpand grabbed the money. In their hurry the men took a bag containing $3,400 in gold, and another with S6OO in silver, leaving the remainder in the wagon. A number of persons witnessed the assault and robbeiy, but could lend no assistance. A laborer for the Gas Company was dumping ashes into the street, butr was prevented from aiding the unfortunate driver and clerk. The robbers fled east on Cologne street, and, noticing a buggy in front of McCarthy’s grocery store, secured it by force. Patrick Conden, the owner, interfered, but the men fired at him. He fell to the ground, allowing several bullets to pass over his head. The men then drove east at a furious pace. Meanwhile Mr. Wells was picked up in an insensible condition and taken to the Gas Works. Here the alarm was given, and MA Thomas Ockerly, the nperintendent, chased the robbers some distance, but had to give up the chase. The police at the Deering streetstation [were notified at once, as were also the officers at the down-town office. Mr. Wells was trodden upon and kicked while in the street, ana had his head cut open just back Of the ear, so that he bled profusely. The Wound was soon dressed, and he continued to pay as many men as he could with the money left him. The money left in the wagon was in ten-dollar packages, and could not be easily carried. A reporter called at the office of the company, but the officers there knew but little of the details. They believe that the robbery must have been) planned long ago, as the robbers could not otherwise have known which day was pay-day. They have no suspicions, and blame* none of their employes. They have implicit faith in Mr. Wells and the driver, the latter having been known to them for thirty years. They have come to the conclusion, however, that in the future the wagons will be guarded by four armed men, A robbery will then be oat of the question. —Chicago Inter-Ocean, January 17.