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Show IWIIESTQ SHOOT D. E. CROFT Slip on Polished Floor Saves Life of Victim; Robber Rob-ber Escapes. Slipping upon the surface of a polished floor, which caused him to fall, saved the life of David E. Croft, 600 East Twelfth South street, at 9:30 o'clock last nlfrlit, when the real estate man was attacked at the door of his home by a robber. Mr. Croft was seated in the library of his home, talking to his wife, when the front doorbell rang. As Mr. Croft opened the door a gun was thrust into his face and he wascommanded to throw up his. hands. Instead of complying he made a quick grab for the weapon, and as he did so his foot slipped and he fell forward. At this instant the would-be robber tired through the door, which stood partially open, the bullet burying Itself in the woodwork wood-work of the reception hall. Mr. Croft then slammed the door shut. Mrs. Dora Rippe Croft, who had heard the visitor command her hufband to throw up his hands. Quickly opened a window In the dining room and jumped to the ground, screaming' loudly for help. A call was sent to police headquarters and Patrolmen K. C. Willey, w, F. Crow and Detective H. D. L,yon rushed to the scene. They scoured the neighborhood and stopped all incoming street cars, but were unable to apprehend the robber, a good description of whom they secured from Mr. Croft. Mr. Croft, the intended victim of the robber, stated that earlier in the evening he had been working on some books and had a number of canceled bank checks in front of him on the library table. The shades in this room were raised, and he is of the belief that the man who later attempted to enter the house behind a gun had observed him and, thinking that he was counting money 'and listing unpaid checks, decided to take the chance of robbing rob-bing him- Mrs. Croft told the officers that she saw-more saw-more than one man in the front yard when she jumped through the window and screamed for help. She is certain there were at least two, and thinks there might have been three. How ever, Mr. Croft saw only the man who held the gun. The Croft home was robbed of money and jewelry last Thursday night while the family was attending a show at one of the local theaters. The Intruder had "jimmied" a rear door to pain entrance. |