The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-08-24
Attempted Robbery and Murder-The
RObber Shot. ss..ta=

Robber Shot. as
On Saturday night about II O'Clock q de-
liberate attempt at highway robbery and
murder was made in this city. 1t appears
that earlier in the evening n party, inelud-
ing Mr.. Daniel II. Russell, q carpenter of
this city, and q colorcd man who gives his
name as Chas. Wassent, met in store ut
the corner of Sd and Orange streets, where
conversation of some length was INDUCED
in, after which Mr.. Russell arose and took
his leave, saying that he was going home.
He was followed by Chas. Wassent, who
Joined him on the street, and the two
ket house. AS they were passing bar
| room near the corner OF Front and Market
streets MIR. Russell informed bis dusky COM
panion that he was going to get drink,
and asked Wassent to join him. He ac-
ceded to the proposition, and the two went
in. Mr.. Russell taking out roll Of bills
and displaying them unsuspectingly to his
companion when he went to pay for the
drinks. Leaving the bar-room, Mr.. Rus
sell was still followed by Wassent. who
stated that he was q seaiaring man, and
that he belonged on board Of a vessel lying
ut the wharf Of Messrs. Blossom IL Evans.
Proceeding on their way in the direction Of
the railroad, they came to Red Cross street,
when Wassent asked Mr.. Russell the near
est way to his vessel. He received the re-
qusite information, and decided to accom-
pany Mr.. r.. who lives just beyond the rail
road, on Sd street. Arrived at the cross
ing, and as Mr.. Russell was ascending the
slight acclivity caused by the railroad
his companion suddenly dropped behind
him and drew from its concealnent
about his person rope about eight or
ten feet in length, with running moose at
nftoYY,rtaI tn fhrnu If
Mr.. RS head, intending to get the moose
over his head and then drawit tight around
his neck. Fortunately for Mr.. Russell,
however, the moose caught on his hat.
which fell to the ground. and the rObber
was thus foiled in his Intentions but be-
fore Mr.. Russell could make any attempt
at resistance Wassent had closed in upon
him, and seized him by the throat. He
baliooed "murder" as loud Us he could,
but the grip of the robbcr on his throat
prevented him from making much noise.
The parties struggled for some time, rolling
OH the ground, and anon rising to their feet,
the victim writhing and struggling franii-
cally to release himself from the grasp
OF his burly antagonist. and the latter
all the time tightt ming his grip upon
his throat, when Mr.. Russell finally Sue
ceeded i'll tearing open his vest and
drawing his pistol, with which he COM
mencrd firing upon his assaiIant The lat
| ter, however, still kept his hold upon the
thoraX of the victim until the fifth shot,
when he released his grasp, made all eXcla-
| nation as if in pain, and fell back upon the
| ground as if dead. Mr.. Russell, believing
this to be the case, started for home, which
was about one hundred yards off; but on
his way he came up with Policeman Geo.
w. Davis. who had been attracted to the
/ spot by the firing, and TO whom he stated
| the facts of the case. Oh returning to the
spot where the struggle took place, how
ever, Wassent had disappeared; but the
rope, MIR. RusSclPs hat, and the hat of
I Wassent were found on the ground.
1t was not until Sunday morning that
Wassent was discovered. 1t seems that he
became impressed with the belief that be
was going to die, and sent to the authori-
ties to take him to the City Hospital. He
was found in a small house on the corner
of Front street and what is known as IIa-
gar Nutt's alley, between Hanover and
Bladen streets. He was apparently suffer-
ing intensely. DR.. J. f. King was called
lin, who, upon examination, stated that
two of the balls had penetrated the left
lung and one the spleen, the three wounds
all in close proximity to each other and iD
q line with the heart. He prontlnced the
man in Il critical condition. He WAS there
1 upon EeUlDSeu W tDc CiJy IOSl)IIiis
In the meantime Mr.. Russell had dclY-
cred himself up to the authorities, by
whom he was released yesterday on his own
recognizance.
| Wassent is man OF powerful frame. lie
tells great many contradictory stories
about the affair, and also as to where be
belonged. He informed us that he formerly
lived at Camp Holmes, near Raleigh. while
he has told others that he came from South
Carolina. at last accounts it was thought
he may possibly recover Wilmington (N.
| O. Star. .-. ---''