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Mrs. Grace Maurin of 2604 Dayton street believes she was robbed by an expert pickpocket while standing at the general delivery window in the post office shortly after 6 o'clock last night.
She told the police she was wearing a Chatelaine bag valued at $30 upon her belt and that when she had left the building and proceeded as far as Sixth and Olive streets she missed the bag. She said it was stolen from her belt by a man who followed her into the building and stood very close to her while she was at the window, disappearing as she started to leave. The bag contained a small snake purse, a small amount of change, a powder box and other minor articles. She gave the police a good description of the man.
Sullivan Tri-County News January 31, 1963
Two Burglaries At Bourbon
About $160 was taken from a desk in the living room of The Ted Roedemeier home in Bourbon between 6:30 and 7:30 last Thursday evening January 24th. A rear storm window was removed and the thief crawled inside.
A glass in a back door was broken to gain entrance to the home of Mrs. Walker Kimberlin across the street from the Roedemeier residence. Both houses were ransacked but Mrs. Kimberlin reported " Nothing stolen " as far as she could determine. The Kimberlin break-in occurred between four and ten the same evening. No one was at home at either place at the time of the burglaries. Investigation was conducted by Missouri Highway Trooper Don Shelton and Sheriff Johnny Giles.
The State Republican (Jefferson City,MO) January 2, 1890
Jesse James Slayer
Bob Ford, who gained a National reputation on account of the prominent part he played in the tragic ending of the life of Jesse James, the noted outlaw, claims that an attempt was made recently to assassinate him in Kansas City.
Ripley County Democrat December 8, 1905
Bob Gilbert, of Cape Girardeau, a carpenter by trade, was arrested at Caruthersville last week for burglarizing the Pemiscot Hardware store. Stolen goods were found in his room at the hotel. Gilbert is about 18 years in age.
Ripley County Democrat November 24, 1905
John Williams and Ed Crow, two farmers, became angry at each other in Stoddard County, on the 5th, and had a fight. Williams stabbed Crow in the right side with a knife, for which he received an unmerciful beating by Crow.
Charles E. Rause, Charles Riney and Lewis Wright were confined in jail for breaking into and robbing the Burlington freight cars at Beverly, and they were caught pouring coals on the floor of the cell to heat the rock and break it with cold water. The sheriff was notified by the other prisoners and frustrated the scheme. The three men suspected one of the prisoners of reporting them, and made him go to the upper cell. Then they commenced making a noise to attract the attention of the sheriff, while one of the prisoners stood at the door with a shovel, ready to strike Sheriff Berry as he entered, but one of the prisoners called out to the sheriff not to come in alone, that they were waiting for him. The sheriff called in Deputy Dillingham, and they entered the jail and confined the men in their cells.
St. Louis Republic March 7, 1904
Throw Conductor Through Window
Two unidentified men who entered a westbound Spring avenue car at Jefferson avenue last night, assaulted the conductor, W.H. Briscoe, of 3133 Lucas avenue, and, after beating him, threw him through the glass window of the car.
Briscoe was not rendered unconscious by the fall. He was taken to A.V.L. Brokaw's office, at 536 North Taylor avenue. His injuries consist of several serious scalp wounds and contusions of the face. Several of his teeth were knocked out.
Briscoe reported the matter to the police and they are making an investigation. Briscoe states that he did not know the men and that they assaulted him without provocation. He said the men boarded the car at Jefferson avenue, and at once started a conversation with him. At Garrison avenue and Thomas street one of the men struck him. Then both of them threw him through the window while the car was running at a high rate of speed.
The priest was doing pretty good until they slashed him with their knives.
The St. Louis Republic January 8, 1905
PRIEST WOUNDED IN BATTLE WITH HIGHWAY ROBBERS
By secreting his money inside one of his gloves as a precaution against holdups the Reverend Charles Quinn of New York, who was severely cut in a desperate battle with 3 highwaymen near Union Station Friday night, was able to cheat the robbers out of their booty. His caution baffled the highwaymen completely and, although they searched his pockets, he said that they secured only 50 cents which he had in a vest pocket for car fare.
Father Quinn made his way to the drug store at Market and 14TH streets after the attack, with blood flowing in streams from a deep slash across the left side of his face, and after having his wounds dressed, was taken to Mullanphy Hospital. It is found that his wound is painful, but not dangerous, and he will be able to proceed in a few days to Butte, Montana, where he will have charge of a parish.
Father Quinn came from Italy only a few months ago. He had spent 2 weeks in St. Louis examining the parishes of the city, and was on his way from the Laclede Hotel, where he has been stopping, to take the train for Butte when attacked. He is of athletic build and told the sisters and doctors of Mullanphy Hospital that he played football in his younger days. To his powerful build he attributes his lucky escape from the knives of the highwaymen.
PRIEST GIVES BATTLE
The attack took place at 11 o'clock about halfway between 13TH and 14TH street on Market. Just as the priest was passing the alley 3 men sprang out and commanded him to throw up his hands. Instead, Father Quinn threw a right hand on the jaw of the nearest robber. The man dropped and the second robber, in stepping forward, received a crashing blow in the face. The third robber hesitated until his companion arose, and then all 3 drew knives and made a combined assault on the priest. He struck out without fear, and several times knocked the robbers to the ground.
Maddened by his resistance and emboldened by the lonely neighborhood, the men persisted in their fight, and finally one of them cut the priest across the face. The cut severed an artery in the left temple and one in the jaw, and the blood spurted out in great quantity. Father Quinn, blinded by blood, could no longer keep the men off and was thrown to the ground. He told the nurses at Mullanphy Hospital that they kicked him in the side twice and searched his clothing. They found the 50 cent piece, but did not touch his transportation. The bills were tucked safely inside his glove, and he kept his hand closed upon them. The robbers then released him and fled up the alley.
TAKEN TO HOSPITAL
Father Quinn walked immediately to the drug store, where Doctor William P. Curtis of 1600 Market street was found. While the clerk telephoned to Mullanphy Hospital for an ambulance, Doctor Curtis took the wounded man to his office and dressed his wounds. Officer Daniel Driscoll entered the store at this time and accompanied the priest to the hospital, which was reached at 3 o'clock yesterday morning.
Father Quinn showed the drug clerk and the doctor his money, and told them how he had hidden it. He had his overcoat buttoned tightly, and does not believe the highwaymen saw his clerical dress. He swore both to secrecy and asked the police officer to report him as an "unknown." He gave the officer the name of Father Quinn, but asked that it should not be used. He told the hospital authorities yesterday that he has relatives near St. Louis, and he did not wish them to learn of his danger. It is supposed the priest was cut with a razor, as his overcoat was cut in 2 places very cleanly. None of the slashes took effect, except those on his face.
Charles T. Hazelton, a salesman for the Winona Mills of Kansas City, Mo., claims to have been held up by a masked highwayman on Academy avenue near Cabanne avenue shortly after 6 o'clock yesterday evening, and robbed of a $1,000 bill.
After securing his money, Hazelton says the footpad struck him with his clinched fist and knocked him to the pavement. While Hazelton was struggling to his feet, too dazed to make resistance or an outcry, the robber fled south on Academy avenue and escaped. Hazelton looked for a policeman in the neighborhood, but, being unable to find one, boarded an Olive street car and came downtown. He reported the robbery to Night Chief Gillespy, who notified the police of the 10th district, in which the holdup took place.
At the time of the robbery Mr. Hazelton was coming from a visit to relatives who reside on Academy avenue and was on his way to the St. James Hotel, where he is a guest. He arrived in St. Louis yesterday morning. His home is at 904 Paseo street in Kansas City. Hazelton says he drew $1,300 out of a bank about 2 weeks ago, and the $1,000 bill was what he had left.
(A "footpad" is what they called a mugger back in the early 1900s)
The Farmington Times December 8, 1898
THESE THIEVES ARE MEAN
In Grover Township, Johnson County, burglars entered the Dunkard, Bethel and Union churches and carried away Bibles, hymnals and almost everything that was movable. Hepsidam schoolhouse was broken into and a number of books stolen.
The Farmington Times December 8, 1898
At St. Joseph, Ida Watson, a young negress and formerly a teacher in the Sedalia public schools, was sentenced to 6 years in the penitentiary for robbery.
The Farmington Times December 8, 1898
James Wilcox and William F. Shaw were each sentenced in the federal court of St. Louis to 7 years in the penitentiary for "sweating" gold coins.
("Sweating" gold coins was when they would wear off small pieces of gold from the coins by placing a bunch in a bag and shaking them vigorously. Banks and stores would become suspicious when they would see a brand new coin that looked 100 years old. It still wasn't as obvious as those that would shave off small pieces of the coins with knives.)
The Marshall Republican (Saline County) June 30, 1899
NELSON BURGLARY
The escape of the two young men charged with robbing the Mo. Pac. station at Nelson, when in the hands of the officers seems to have had a tendency, by lessening the fear of punishment, to popularize burglaries.
The guilty party in this case was a boy of 14 years, Carl Waller, having been placed in the care of J.K. Staples several years ago through an agency finding homes for orphan children. On Saturday night, P.M. Sandidge's store was entered and many little aricles taken in the way of a pistol, cigars etc. This was Waller's first attempt, so far as known, but not his last. Taking Jonnie Williams into his confidence, he began to plan a repetition of his former escapade.
Meanwhile his confidante, who had not the honor necessary for successful thievery, informed Mr. Sandidge of the date set and other particulars. Consequently, when on Thursday night the two entered the store, the real thief was taken in charge and locked up for the night.
Arraigned before Justice Reynolds, a plea of guilty was entered to the charge of burglary and the young man bound over to await the action of the grand jury. He has been brought to Marshall and awaits his trial at the county jail.
The Mansfield Mirror (Wright County Mo) December 26, 1912
Patrick T. Keleher, apparently insane, forced his way into the home of Bishop John J. Hogan of the Catholic diocese of Kansas city and demanded $100,000,000. When taken in charge by the police he told them that he had intended to kill the venerable bishop if his demand was not complied with.
Two masked highwaymen entered the saloon of Antoine Ravinsky at 11th street and Baker avenue, East St. Louis, at 11 o'clock last night and held up the proprietor at the point of revolvers.
Ravinsky was the only person in the saloon. While one of the men covered him with a revolver, the other went behind the bar and secured between $25 and $50 from the cash register. A silver watch and some loose change were also taken from Ravinsky's pockets. The robbers then ran down the street. Ravinsky was just preparing to close the saloon when the men entered.
Sullivan News March 25, 1915
THIEVES AGAIN
Last Friday evening about 9 o'clock, some person entered the back porch of Miss Jackson's restaurant and stole her supply of meat and butter and the dishes which contained them. On Tuesday 5 dozen eggs were taken.
J.E Peterson's jewelry store was entered by a back window and the cash register was taken out back behind a coal shed but there was no money in it.
On Saturday last, our town was thrown into a fever of excitement over the report that one of our young attorneys had been taken in on the old bullion dodge. It seems that Mr. James M. Callahan, of this city, had formed the acquaintance of a man named Clark, in St. Louis, who professed to have in his possession a gold brick, valued at $5,500, which he proposed to sell for $1500. The bargain was struck, and the exchange made. The gold brick proved to be brass.
We were unable to get hold of the Globe-Democrat to get full particulars, but did find out that the man, Clark, was arrested and is now in jail in St. Louis.
Iron County Register January 1, 1880
BURGLARY AND LARCENY
On Saturday night, December 20, 1879, between 8 and 9 o'clock, the store of James Roly, at Lesterville, Reynolds County, was entered by Lewis Orrick and R.E.L. Usher, two young burglars, who helped themselves to a lot of pocketknives, candies, and such other articles as they wanted or could find. They were captured, and after having their preliminary trial, were committed to the Iron County jail for safe keeping until circuit court, when it is to be hoped they will receive their just deserts. In the boys' possession (who are aged about 14 and 16 years) were found some 20 odd keys, belonging to or fitting different stores throughout the country, Cross Roads and Ironton included. They were brought to Ironton by Elvis Harrison, sheriff of Reynolds County, on last Monday night.
Sedalia, Mo., Feb 17---The police today, after an exciting and long chase, arrested John Murphy, of New Orleans, and George Miller, of St. Joseph, who were identified by John Steelman, of Beaman, as the men who held him up near the Missouri, Kansas & Texas passenger depot last night and robbed him of $20. Murphy and Miller are believed to be notorious cracksmen who are wanted in the east. The evidence against them is so positive that they will probably be sent to the penitentiary for highway robbery.
St. Louis Republic February 7, 1900
KILLED BY A SCHOOLBOY
Springfield, Mo., Feb 6---Ben Absher, a schoolboy, age 18, shot and killed Dave Atkinson, 22 years old, at Mountain Grove today. They met on the public square, where Atkinson tried to shove Absher off the sidewalk, and at the same time commenced cutting him with a knife. Absher drew his weapon and fired four times, two of the bullets taking effect in the head, one in the heart and one in the arm.
The trouble is the result of a family feud of several years standing, which started by a fight at school and resulted in the arrest of a brother of Atkinson, who was compelled to pay a fine. Ever since that time the Atkinsons have threatened the Abshers, and today's tragedy was the result.
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