Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 125, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 October 1903 — SHOOT DOWN BANDIT& [ARTICLE]

SHOOT DOWN BANDIT&

Swift Vengeance in Train of Street Car Hold-up at Aurora, 111. One robber was shot and killed and one other was wounded at 9:30 o’clock the other night, phortly after they held up a Riverview Park street car, just outside the southwest city lines of Aurora, Three masked men signaled the northbound Riverview Park car, in charge oi Motorman Plum and Conductor Whitney, to stop at a switch a short distance below the Sard stove works. The motorman, thinking some passengers wiulv ed to board his car for Aurora, complied with their wishes. As soon as they wen aboard they covered the crew with theii guns, ordering them to hold up theii hands. They then searched the condue tor and motorman. Wlfitney had onlj $7 in his pocket, while Plum did not have any valuables. They then ordered the two inside thi car and took charge themselves, running the car as far as the stove works, wliei they left it and disappeared across th« country in the darkness. The police were notified and Officers Gibson and Grass were detailed on the case. They learned that the robbers boarded the Chicago electric car for the city at 10:15 o’clock, and went after them on a car following. At the substation on Union avenue the officers saw their men, who started to run. A fusillade of shots resulted, ending in one robber being killed and another wounded. The robbers were well armed, and put up a spirited battle. Officer Grass, after firing all the cartridges he had, ran to the station for a fresh supply. While he was securing them Officer Green rushed up and informed the night men that he had shot one of the robbers. The entire force returned with him and found the dead robber lying in the weeds. He had been shot through the forehead and one eye. The ambulance was called out and the body was taken to an undertaker’s rooms. The police remained behind to search the river bank, as another of the trio is wounded. He wore a black hat, which was found on the ground. The dead robber was about 40 years of age, well dressed and wore a brown fedora hat, which had been purchased in Des "Moines, lowa. He had been seen about Aurora.