The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-11-25
ASSAULTED BY \ BRUTE.
A BURGLAR DlSSUADED FROM CON-
MlTTING A GRAVE CRIME.


A Woman's Flight Through Window to
Escape Assault-Hclplcss Condition of
AN authoress Who Lives Alone-Locked
in Il Closet by II Scoundrel.
\ little hut which closely hugs the
base of a hill or the farm of Oscar
Purdv, in the town of Harrison, y. y,
was the scene of fearful struggle at an
early hour on Sunday morning. The
PRINCIPALS were Mrs. NJ. s. Robinson, a
writer of Sunday school books and
Methodist tracts, and an unknown
Young man who broke into the hut to
commit a robbery and an assault. Mrs.
Robinson, who is a lady of the highest
responsibility and education, lives
alone in the little hut. 1t is set into
the hill, so that the rear is against the
earth. 1t is one-story affair, built OF
brick, and is used as a sitting room and
sleeping room. In front is a smaller
wooden building, connecting, in which
Mrs. Robinson does her literary work.
She takes her meals at the farm house
of Oscar Purdy, three hundred yards
away. She came there about year
ago and built the cabin. She has been
engaged in her profession for several
wears, having formerly lived in SINH
larlv isolated place ut Sandy Hook.
She is separated from her husband.
Rev. Nj. Stevenson. who few years
ago was pastor Of the Methodist
Church Mt Mamaroneck, three miles
from where Mrs Robinson lives, is her
father.
The story of the assault. as told by
Mrs Robinson, us follows She retired
at an early hour Saturday night after
having fastened the doors and windows.
She helavawake until about 3 3O'clock. Then
she heard i noise at the window OF her
workroom. and got up ptoinycStigatc. She
inuuired who was there and the answer
came "Lct me III. The voice WAS
that Of {; man. She said il was rather
an early hour to receive visitors. and
suggested that the intruder postpone
his visit. The fellow answered her by
smashing the window and crawling
through il. He advanced toward her,
and by the light of the night lamp on
the tabl" she could plainly distinguish
his features. He was OF medium size,
and apparently about - or % years old.
lie had Il slightly hooked nose AMI Il
very brown face-SO brown, III fact,
that she thinks he was mulatto. AS
he came toward her Mrs. Robinson ran
to another window. out of which she
leaped. and started to run mp the hill to
the residence Of William l.. Purdy.
which was nearer than that Of Oscar
Purdy. The young brute lcapCd ont
after her. and. oveltaking her. caught
her in his arms and carried her back to
the bedroom. There prolonged StruS-
gle took place.
Finally Mrs. Robinson became cX-
hausted, and began to argue with the
fellow about the cnOrnity of the crime
he was about to commit, and told him
nobody but coward would take un-
manly advantage OF Il woman, unable
to longer defend herself The brute,
after offering her much indignity final
" gave up his intention of perpetrat-
ing a graver olIenSe, but in his rage he
struck the woman several brOWS with
his clenched fist, and then forced.her
into Il small closet under tie StOOp. and
fastened the door. The fellow then
ranSacked the house, and stole i gold
watch and chain and $50 in cash. Then
he bade his victim gOOd-by anu started
to go away. She begged him to release
her from her uncomfortable position,
as she was clad only in her night dress
and was almost stiff with cold. lie
said he would open the door if She
would promise not to come out until he
had time to get a good distance away.
She promised, and the fellow unfasten-
ed the door
After the rulian had been gone
about five minutes Mrs. Robinson came
out and ran to Mr.. Purdy's house for
assistance. She screamed for help, and
aroused Mr. Purdy and his farm hands.
They started in pursuit Of the rascal
but no trace of him could be found.
Yesterday afternoon Constable Woldorf
and 4 squad Of citizens went out to
make Il systematic search Of the tramp
nests which abound in that territory,
believing that the fellow belongs to Il
gang called the "Swamp Angels, some
of whom have recently been sent to
State prison for various crimes. At Il
late hour last night the fellow had not
been found.
Mrs. Robinson is about 81 years Old,
good looking, tall and graceful with
brown hair. and dark hazel eyes and
bears herself like Il lady Of high cul-
ture.
4 Terrible Fall.
DETROIT. Nov. 30 This morning. in