The Last Drop at Our Corner Saloon
A local saloon proprietor turns the tables on two armed robbers by pulling his own gun during a late-night hold-up.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Two robbers entered the 'Our Corner' saloon at 1926 Jefferson Avenue at 12 o'clock last night and commanded one of the proprietors, G.S. Upright, who was alone at the time, to throw up his hands. Instead of complying with the demand, the saloon man pulled a revolver from his pocket and opened fire on the highwaymen. Simultaneously, the robber with the gun sent a bullet crashing into the wall a few feet to the side of Mr. Upright. But when the salesman showed fight, the thugs beat a hasty retreat, running down the street with Upright in hot pursuit. The latter fired three shots, but he does not know whether he succeeded in hitting either of the fleeing men. Neither of the highwaymen wore a mask and only one was armed. Upright was just closing up for the night when the intruders entered. He had bolted the rear door, and as the robbers came in from the front, he stood at the outside of the bar with his hands under his apron. As the first hold-up raised his revolver, commanding Upright to put his hands up, the latter obeyed instantly, but as his right hand went up, it took a six-shooter with it. It is believed by some that the robbers are the same individuals who raided the Hunters' Home saloon last Monday night.
“As the first hold-up raised his revolver... the latter obeyed the order instantly, but as his right hand went up it took a six-shooter with it.”
The intersection of Jefferson Avenue and the surrounding blocks remains a busy, urban part of Tacoma, though the era of the 'frontier' saloon hold-up has long since passed. The desperation of petty criminals targeting small business owners for closing-time cash remains a recurring, albeit tragic, rhythm in city life.
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