This is from Valparaiso Messenger dated 5 Mar 1891.
A sensational attempt at highway robbery occurred near this city Tuesday. An
ol man named CHARLES VAN HORN, who lives at Zanesville, Ohio, stopped Minday
night at the Continental Hotel, on his way to Davenport, Iowa.
In the course of the evening he displayed a goodly roll of Uncle Sam's notes,
and thereby incited the c?pidity in the nature of two young men who were
stopping at the hotel - WILL BURGE and ROB NICHOLS.
The resolved to rob him that evening but lacked the necessary "nerve". The
next morning (Tuesday) they hired a livery rig of LEMORE JONES, where BURGE
was employed, and set out to follow the old man. They overtook and passed
him, and lay in wait for him near Deep River.
There they waylaid Mr. VAN HORN, presented a pair of revolvers and took from
him all the money he had - about $70. In pity for his entreaties, they
afterwards returned him $1.05 with which to go on to Iowa.
The young men then separated, while VAN HORN rode on to Deep River where he
told his story to GEORGE WOOD. He was corroborated by Dr. R. C. MACKEY, who
had witnessed a portion of the act, and recognized BURGE and NICHOLLS. WOOD
came into town with VAN HORN and interviewed Sheriff SEGO. NICHOLS, who had
returned to town with the horse and buggy, was taken at the Continental.
BURGE came in to town Tuesday night, at the kind instances of Col. r??THVEN
PECK, and gave himself up to Sheriff SEGO. Both boys confessed and waived the
preliminary examination. They s?op with SEGO. BURGE had just been released
from jail, after serving an 11 days sentence for disorderly conduct.
This was from the newspaper page copy of my Hiram King obit. If you have
copies of newspapers, please feel free to post items that may be of interest
or help to other Porter county researchers. Expecially obits, marriages, etc.
More to come as I find the time.
Lisa Smalley
INPORTER (List Manager)