Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 June 1896 — A Highway Robbery. [ARTICLE]

A Highway Robbery.

A most villainous <3t was committed just on the borders of Rensselaer, on Tuesday night, of ‘last yreek. ‘ft John L. Smith, who lives on the former Warren Robinson farm, northeast of town and who was driving home rather late at night, having attended the Odd Fellows’ lodge meeting, was the victim. He was leaving town on Melville Street, which is the name given to the road on the east side of town, about a half mile east of the depot. Just after he had crossed the railroad tracks, three men stepped out from the shade of the trees on the east side of the street. One of the men siezed Smith’s horses by tbe bridles, another shoved a revolver into his face, commanding him in the most savage manner to “Hold up your hands you etc. Mr. Smi th raised his hands, keeping hold of his horses’ lines, but not high enough to suit the ideas of the robber, who in the same profane manner ordered them to be held still higher, at the penalty of having his brains blowed out if he did not instantly comply. While this was going on, the third man went through Smith’s pockets. He did not think he had any money or valuables with him, but as it happenned some sl7, what he had left from the sale of a beef cow a few days before, was in the inside pocket of his vest, and this the robbers found and took. Smith’s gold watch he had luckily left at home.

When the robbers had satisfied themselves they had secured everything of value Smith had with him, they led his horses on a short distance, then the man with a gun told him, in the same profane and threatening manner, to go on home and that if he attempted to come back into town that night, by the road by the depot, they would shoot out of him, or words to that effect. This showed that the robbers were familiar with the lay of* streets of the town, and that probably they are residents here. Very likely they are the same gang who robhed the night operator at the depot, some time last fall, for which the two tramping wire-workers were tried and acquitted. There are a number of tough young fellows here, who if they do not soon break into the penitentiary will probably come to a worse end, which is the gallows.. Mr. Smith did not come to town to report his robbery until Friday, three days after its oceurence.