Broadstreet Grocery Robbery - Putnam

An attempt to rob Charley Broadstreet’s grocery store, by two unknown men last night was frustrated by Conrad Gautier, who took a couple of shots at the burglars soon after they had gained entrance to the store. The shots scared the men who ran west on Washington street. Before they were scared away, however, they knocked the combination knob off of the safe in the store with a sledge hammer and twisted the bolt handle with a big monkey wrench. These tools and two chisels were found In the store. They were Identified this morning by Landes & Werneke, the blacksmiths, as belonging to them. The tools had been stolen from the shop. It was near l o'clock when Mr. Gauntier, who has a room In the Renick property across Water street from the store, was awakened by a noise which sounded to him like some one had dropped a chisel on the sidewalk. looking out the window he saw two men running north on Water street. They stopped at the corner by the Broadstreet store for a minute and then started as Mr. Gautier believed, west on Washington street. Mr. Gautier had nearly fallen asleep again when he was again attracted by a noise. He then got up and looked out the window, which already was up. He could see into the side door of the store. One of the men lit » match and then the side door was opened. One of the burglars went out of the side door and picked up something, evidently the tools, and went hack Into the store. Mr. Gautier aroused his clerk, who rooms with him, and told him to go to the phone and call the police. He intended allowing the men to proceed with their work and notify the police so that the burglars could be caught. The clerk could not get the fire department or the police, however, and when Mr. Gautier heard the sound of the heavy sledge hammer falling on the combination bolt he believed It time to act before the men did too much damage.  Getting his revolver he fired at the side door, just behind of which the men were working. When he fired, one of the men, who, evidently had been stationed in front of the store to keep guard, stuck his head around the corner. Mr. Gautier then fired at him. The robbers then disappeared, probably going west on Washington street. Officers Grimes arrived about fifteen minutes after the robbers had been scared away. It was found that the men had entrance to the # store by forcing the locks on their front door. No clew to the identity of the burglars was found by the officers. The men are described by Mr. Gautier as being tall. One wore an overcoat. Both wore soft slouch hats.  A coincidence in connection with the robbery is that the same store has been broken into four times in the past 5 years and in 3 instances Mr. Gautier has given the alarm. There is some belief that the work last night was done by local talent and one man, especially is being watched and his whereabouts of last night inquired into.