The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-10
THE HATCHET ASSAULT.

MISS HENDERSON SAID TO BE IMPRovNa-HE1
AssAILANT STILL AT LARGE.
Mrs. Frances Holmes, Frances J. Henderson
Of Lexington avenue, who was SO brutaly assaulted
with q Ratchet by her alleged rejected lover, T. H.
Clark, is improving rapidly, and will probably re-
She perfectly conscious and and sleeps
WELL In order 10 trepan the skull where was rac-
tured over the lett temple 1t became necessary
to shave the unfortunate woman's head. When
visited by Dr. Bruce last night she made
reference to the change in her appearance
caused by the removal OF her hair The doctor
lated funny OF the devices by
bald headed persons Tor covering their with
srtful limitations OF the original growth, and the
wounded seemed to onJoy the descriptions
laughed with considerable gusto She porsstenly re-
fuses to give any information about her assaanL Ho
is never referred to ~ her, and has not In
CURED whether he has been arrested.
The police are stii looking for Clark Captain
Murphy has his ward detectives at work, and there Is
little doubt that the cowardly assaant will yet b in
custody. AT tho house where he boarded nothing has
been seen or heard OF him since he left day OF
the assault HIS clothing anu other articles vii
main no lett tnem--thrOwn esrslessly about II he
expected TO return IN an hour The police think Clark
is IN hiding somewhere in the city. because, so far
as be learned, he mad recently been
in business, aud supposed havo
no money, inasrnuch AS he owed his land $50 for
board. Nevertheless II IS known that he purchased
ana smoked cigars OF I'm expensive quality. captain
Murphy who, with several vi his men, arrived ON the
OF the assault lew minutes alter occurrence
not at ali inclined 10 favor tho theory that Clark
committed suicide He believes that the fugitive took
a Third avenue Car to go down town and hiding
obscure hotel or lodgings in this city Brook
yn. II would seom that nobody knew Clark except
those with whom he actually came into contact aud
they only ny sight He mad associates IN thu
boarding house ana would seem generally TO have led
a solitary life. The only persons who tell any
thing about MIN are those with whom he had been
gagged IL business, and they never hun the
pahy OF any one except the victim OF his assault Mr..
W. j. Wright, oil No. 3S7 Sixth avenue VINO had been
Clark's partner In the shoe business, iutmates that
the latter cneated him by false accounts According
10 Mr.. Wrghts statements Clark has negro blood
his veins, and camc originally from New Rumley,
Harrison county OnIo. The police tnlnK II improb.
able that the fugitive has gone TO that place. as 10
thought he had MOI sufficient money TO pay the faro
Captain Murphy Is anxious 70 Interview certain
gentleman friend OF Mrs. Homos. Tho Captain states
this person called 10 her at tho house
In Lexington avenue, but frequently communicated
with her by letter. aud made appointments tor meet.
ings elsewhere The gentleman In question, Captain
Murphy says furnished the lady with the means Of
subsistence. She did work ana yet pala $40 per
week for room and board Some detectives
with whom tho HERALD reporter convorsed mold
theory that Clark had for regularly sup
Piled with funds by Mrs Holmes, that finally grew
tircd him and declined 10 give him more, that
he thcreupon, determined ~ kill her. Al tho house
In which the unhappy woman boarded Captain MUIR
pny that he has evidence that II asssgna-
ton house, although was SO entered upon the looks