The New York herald., 1879-02-15
A LADY GARR0TED.
Mrs. De Barry Robbed on Fifth Avenue
in the Daylight.
APATHETIC BYSTANDERS
Escape of the Highwaymen with the Vic
TINS Diamond Earring

scene occurred about five O'Clock last evening on
that conservative and fashionable thoroug hfare
Fifth avenue which, for boldness and audacity. has
seldom been paralleled even in the purleus of the
city. A lady attacked and despoiled of her diamond
earrings by highway robber in presence
of crowd of promenaders compares favor.
ably with the exploits Of Neapolitan brigands
Mrs. De Barry, wife of Adolph De Barry, of
the firm Of Frederick De Barry & Co.. importers, No
43 Warren street. and lady friend. Miss Annie
Swan, left Mrs. De Barys house, No. Is West
Fifty second street. shortly before five clock last
evening The ladies bent quiet prom
enade. They dressed elegantly, but there
nothing in their attire to render them conspicuous
from hundreds of ladies who frequent Fifth avenue
at all hours Of the day. Mrs. De Barry, is low sized
and good looking, has petit figure and is about
thirty years of age. She was attired in seal skin
sacque and black silk dress and wore diamond ear
rings Her companion, Miss Annie Swan, is lady
of larger stature and more commanding appearance.
Her toilet was equally luxurious that of Mrs.
De Barry. They moved down Fifth avenue chatting
pleasantly. Their attention attracted by seeing
young man, rashionably dressed, closely scrutin-
izing them from the opposite side of the avenue.
They paid little attention to his impertinence
they thought he might possibly be a
casual acquaintance whom they had forgotten and
who endeavoring to gain their recognition. He
was dressed after the fashion of most young men
who frequent Fifth at that hour Of the even
ing. He was good looking, and had the appearance
of respectability. He continued his opportunities
by seemingly trying to attract the attention of the
ladies' for several blocks. Occasionally he would
raise his hat apparently to some passing acquaint
ance and thereby generally impressed himself on
those who bestowed passing glance It his actions,
rkoJo od
be recognized When the ladies had advanced far
as Forty-fourth street. the young man noticed
to cross the avenue diagonally, if determined to
head them Off He changed his course. however. and
allowed the ladies to walk ahead of him, he following
ut convenient distance.
ATTACKED THE CROWD.
BY this time Mrs. De Barry and Miss Swan had lost
all recollection of the young man who had previously
street. Throngs Of people were on the avenue going
in both directions and the side OF the street tho
larly crowded without a sign or warning Of their
danger the ladies found that they were at the merry
of a desperate: The well dressed young man had
corner of Forty-third street and Fifth avenue, he
threw his about Mrs. De Bary's neck. Before
she had time to raise alarm he had his left arm
coiled about throat, her head thrown back upon
his shoulder and with the other hand he tuggeN at
the large diamond earrings tore the right one rom
its position and partially displaced the other. This
movement so sudden and so rapid that Miss
Swan did not have time to to int, interfere. re-. Her e
the spot At the moment the avenue
was crowded that people jostled each other pass
ing by. Scores OF pedestrians, men and women.
witnessed the outrage, but not interfered to
protect the lady or apprehend the highwayman. In
q second the desperate freebooter had thrown his
victim aside and dashed through the crowd OF in
active spectators. Then it was that Miss Swan ex-
perenced returning animation and the panic stricken
lockers On became particularly oicious. Miss Swan
made the block resound with her appeal to the police
particularly and the neighbors generally tn stop that
rascaly thief but the latter continued on his course
rejoicing
Stimulated by the despairing appeals of Miss Swan
TO apprehend the criminal several of the most agile
young men present set off on q lively double quick.
impressed with the knowledge that the fugitive had
disappeared around the block and was not likely to
await the approach of his pursuers to take him into
custody. they redoubled their speed. There was an
ming and display Of development of lung power
ndged ill., that excited the admiration and alarm OF
with the nature of the unusual excitement The well
dressed young man made excellent time, ana sped
along Forty-third street to vanderbilt avenue and
thence to the point of the Grand Central depot ON
Forty-second street. where he was seen to enter q
coach and was rapidly driven away
In the meantime Mrs. DE Barry, frightened almost
to death had to be supported to neighborng stoop
in fainting condition. Her assailant had used that
forcible grip around her neck which is SO wei known
to professional garOtors She was for considerable
time bewldered and could not realize the gravity or
the outrage. When she collected her scattered
thoughts a sharp, stinging pain caused her 10
nut her hand to the side of her head when she DIS
covered that of her diamond earrings was miss
tiay torn from its position, and both her ears bled
profusey 1t also subsequently ascertained that
y large and valuable brooch which the lady wore at
her neck broken loose and the fasenings twisted
apart Her bonnet crushed on her head and her
sealskin sacque torn open.
The outrage collected crowd Of people, and every
moment added to their numbers, until in an incred-
bly short space Of time Fifth avenue near Forty
third street the scene of the garotng was wedged
with q curious multitude. Miss Swan having by
this time regained her presence OF mind
hy pnaa vey pl
De Barry to her residence. Once there the lady gave
way her suppressed excitement and became hystori-
cal. physician summoned and by a judicious
system of treatment she restored to a CON-
paraive degree of composure. She was found ut her
nervous shock. and her physician advised her to
speak little possible on the subject She. how
ever, freely related the main facts OF the outrage
and seemed to deplore nothing 80 much MS that the
highwayinan should have made good his escape from
the number of people who witnessed the outrage aud
joined in the pursuit.
SEARCHING THE RoauEs' GALLERY.
Miss Swan and Mr.. Henriques the brother OF Mrs.
De Barry. subsequently called upon Inspector Ihorne'
at Police Headquarters and related the startling ad-
venture to that official Miss Swan and Mr. Hem
rques conducted to the Rogues' Gallery, where
they scrutinized tho photographs OF the numerous
professional criminals there arranged. Miss Swan
was minute in her examination. With great deiipera-
ton she peered every likeness that bore any Posso
resemblance to the Fifth avenue highwayman. AZ
last she pointed out photograph numbered ocf tat
of young man of an intelligent cas-, o, n
and spruce appearance. She was not, however, pos.
tive regarding the identity She thereiore comlneu
her Investigations until she came to one lapeea NO
l,2O2 This was the face OF young man.
with a slight mustache and a oeaining
eye Miss swan thought the latter picture
was that of the who nad perpetrateu
the assault on Mrs DO Barry; and Detective Thomp.
SON. who placed in charge Of the case pSSkesed %
SEARCH for tho criminal IL may he stated that tho
earrings. winch had attracted the cupidity of tho
DARING highwayman. were . wedding present, ana
were valued at 800.
THE FINEST POLICE.
II may also be interesting TO state that during oil
these startling developments and public commotion
no pol,ce officer visible to render assistance in
apprehending the criminal. While the crowd was
con,reaated about Mrs. DE Barry that lady was
being Conducted 10 carriage. officer appeared.
and could hardly be restrained from clubbing tho
multitude and arrestng tho ahrighted occupants OF
the coach.
BOTH LEGS CUT OFF.