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

A BURGLAR DlssUADED FROM CON-
MlTTlNG A GRAVE CRIME.
A woman's Flight Through a Window to
Escape Assault-Helpless Condition of
an Authoress Who Lives Alone-Locked
in a Closet by n Scoundrel.
a little hut which closely hugs the
base of hill on the farm of Oscar
Purdy, in the town Of Harrison, n. 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 lady of the highest
responsibility and education, lives
alone in the little hut. It is set into
the hill, so that the rear is against the
earth. 1t is 4 one-story affair, built Of
brick, and is used as sitting room and
sleeping room. In front is smaller
wooden building, connecting, in which
Mrs. Robinson does her literary work.
She takes her meals ut 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
years, having formerly lived in a SINH
larly isolated place at Sandy Hook.
She is separated from her husband.
Rev. MIR. Stevenson, who few years
ago was pastor Of the Methodist
Church at Mamaroneck, three miles
from where Mrs. Robinson lives, is her
father.
The story of the assault, as told by
Mrs. Robinson, iSas follows She retired
at an early hour Saturday night after
having fastened the doors and windows.
She lay awake until about 3 o'clock. Then
she heard noise at the window Of her
workroOm, and got upto oinyestigate. She
inquired who was there and the answer
came "Let me in ~ The voice was
that Of man. She said it 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 it. He advanced toward her,
and by the light of the night lamp on
the table she could plainly distinguish
his features He was of medium size,
and apparently about % or % years old.
He had Il slightly hooked nose and Il
very brown face-So brown, in fact,
that she thinks he was a 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.. Purdv,
which was nearer than that of Oscar
Purly. The young brute leaped out
after her. and, overtaking her, caught
her in his arms and carried her back to
the bedroom. There a prolonged strug-
gle took place.
Finally Mrs. Robinson became eX-
hausted, and began to argue with the
fellow about the enOrmity of the crime
ne was about to commit, and told him
nobody but Il coward would take un-
manly advantage OF Il woman, unable
to longer defend herself. The brute,
after offering her much indignity final
ly gave up his intention of perpetrat-
ing graver offenSe, but in his rage he
struck the woman several brows with
his clenched fist, and then forced.her
into small closet under the stoop, and
fastened the door. The fellow then
ransacked the house, and stole gold
watch and chain and $50 in cash. Then
he bade his victim good-by and 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. He
said he wonld open the door if she
would promise not to come out until he
had time to get good distance away.
She promised, and the fellow unfasten-
ed the door.
After the rufiian 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 q squad of citizens went out to
make a systematic search of the tramp
nests which abound in that territory.
believing that the fellow belongs to
gang called the Swamp Angels" some
of whom have recently been sent to
State prison for various crimes. At a
late lour last nj ght the fellow had not
been found.
Mrs. Robinson is about 80 years old,
good looking, tall and graceful, with
brown hair, and dark hazel eyes, and
bears herself like Il lady Of high cul-
ture.
a Terrible Fall.
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