The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-23
SHADOWED BY A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER
Her Room Entered and Her
Trunk Rifled.
TERRIBLE STRUGGLE WITH THE ROBBER.
Police in Active Pursuit of the
Perpetrator.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

that has been perperated in this city for years
recently occurred. New York lady being the victim.
The details of the story have been kept secret at the
fremont House. where the outrage committed,
until last night, when of the detectives and .
professional gentleman made the matter public.
STORY ROBBERY.
As it is related the story shows that on Thursday
afternoon December IL, lady residing on Eleventh
street New York arrived over the Boston and Albany
Railroad at the depot of that corporation in this city
1t is stated that she had been passing few days with
friends in the vicinity OF Boston and that she
to town to attend to some business
Be that it may. she met her
arrival at the station by gentleman acquaintance
who paid over to her $3.50, half of sum in which he
was indebted to her. At the request Of the party
who gave her the money the lady counted the same
in his presence. retiring with him for the purpose to
one OF the waiting rooms of the building
MYSTERIOUS STRANGER.
While engaged in running over the bills, which
mostly fves, tens and twentes she noticed that
she observed by fine looking. well dressed and
well appearing man. who stood in her immediate
vicinity. Upon perceiving that he had attracted her
attention the gentleman referred to withdrew his
gaze in unconcerned manner. She left the depot
after and started toward Washington street on
foot but changed her mind and went back to get
carriage in which to ride to the fremont House.
As she retraced her steps she met this who
had eyed her in the depot who threw quick glance
at her. She paid but little attention to the matter
and proceeded to the hotel where she assigned
comfortable room. Soon after she reached her room
she bethought her Of something she had forgotten to
purchase, and she Immediately went to a store just
opposite the hotel when she surprised to the
same gentleman in front Of the store. She
became alarmed at the appearance of the man and
turned to her room where she spent the rest of the
afternoon. In the evening she accompanied gentle
man friend from New York, who stopping at the
Parker House. to the Boston Theatre to witness
performance Of "The Exiles.' There she again
countered the mysterious stranger. This time he
stared at her unsguisedy, using opera glass for
the purpose. His attention marked that she
called the attention of her escort to him.
at the time briefly relating the circumstances Of
the afternoon when the annoyance ceased. Follow
ing the play the lady and her companion returned to
the hotel where after brief conversation good
night" said, the lady retiring to her apartment.
the gentleman at her request going to the Office and
directing that she should be called at o'clock
the following morning. 1t being her inten-'
ton to take the forenoon train for New York.
This about fifteen minutes past eleven O'Clock.
and the gentleman then returned to the Parker House.
Proceeding to her room she Immediately undressed
caution to lock and bolt her door and to deposit
$3.50 which she had received in the Albany depot in
the bottom of her trunk and hiding the key.
MAN ROOM.
About two O'Clock in the morning, nearly as she
can fix the time, she was awakened by the presence
of in her room, standing the centre Of the
bed at the side on which she reclined. He was Of
rather tall stature, but the light in the apart
ment was so dim she unable to get
clear view of his features aud has but ndistinc
idea of his general appearance. He stood facing her.
Frightened at the presence Of the intruder in her
chamber she attempted to scream for help but be-
fore she could utter sound he clutched her by the
throat with hand while with the other he held
pistol at her head, threatening to kill her if she
sisted. As he caught hold of her he threw himself
on the bed seating himself on her stomach--almost
depriving the unfortunate lady of breath. As he
made this movement he released his grasp on her
throat sufficient for her to gasp OUT
For Gods sake spare my life" Lowering his
pistol for moment. still clutching her neck with
one hand he suddenly applied something wet and Of
sickenng odor to her face, and she lost conscious
ness.
THE DISCOVERY.
At seven O'Clock in the morning the call boy pro-
ceeded to the ladys to call her. when strange
sight met his gaze. Tho occupant of tho room lay
i'll the bed, Wh1cn was III great disorder,
with a napkin stained with blood. and which
proved have been saturated with chloroform. tied
over her face. The trunk open and the contents
scattered about the floor. and everything bore wit
ness TO the fact that some person had visited the
apartment with criminal intent. closer oxamina-
ton revealed the circumstance that the door had
been forced open with small jimmy. the staple
catching the bolt having been torn from its fasten-
ings tho still hanging to it with small spin-
tcrs of wood attached
THE LADY's CONDITION.
But the lady's condition demanding immediate AT.
tention the porter gave but hasty glance ut these
things and at proceeded to remove the napkin,
which almost strangling hcr. from her face and
arrange tho disordercd bed clothing. Mrs. A
by this time had partly recovered consciousness and
directed the porter to summon female assistance and
send for doctor. This was done Immediately and the
housckcepcr having been notified of the occurrence
was the room. doing everything in her power
assuage the suferings of the unhappy woman. When
the propretors of the hotel and the doctor reached
the room the lady partly restored to conscious
ness The doctor tried TO find out what no suspected.
whether any violence had been committed tho
person Of the unfortunate lady. but both the house.
keeper and the lady herself Indignantly repealed any
such suggestion.
DrAI. CRIME.
From the fact that for some time after her recovery
she was in n state of nervous prostraton. and com
planned Of of the abdomen and limbs, the
doctor was Of tho opinion that dusl crime was COM
mittted. The poor lady terribly affected by tho
loss Of her money, and she burst into tears she
related how she had endcavored to get IL.
and the purposes for which she had intended
IT, II was to have been devoted to paying
of the interest on mortgage on her house in New
York, and she didn't know what she would do"
she went to New York, accompanied by the house
keeper where she was met by her husband and
children
THE POLICE AT WORK.
The police meanwhile had been notified Of the case,
and went diligently TO work TO get at the identity of
the lady's assailant. Their first inquiries wero d.
rectod toward the anccedcnts Of her escort to the
theatre the night previous TO the assault