The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-10
A BOLD BURGLAR.
A Terrible and Dastardly Assault
Upon Lady

/ A
Upon a Lady
From the Macon (Go.) Telegraph Of Monday.
At o'clock yesterday morning, as men
toned in the Telegraph, four pistol shots
were heard in quick succession in the neigh
borhood of Mrs. Gu innings, widow OF the
late Col. John B. Cumming, on Walnut
street, followed by several very loud and
shriIl shriekS, which were recognized as the
screams of the female voice. The neigh
horhood, some of them in night attire,
Instantly repaired to the residence of
Mrs. Cumming and learned the follow
ing facts; Mrs Cumming occupied bed in
her ROOM her daughter, Mrs. Eva Vaughn,
occupied with her little son a bed in an adj
Joining room connected by communicating
doors. which were open These were the
only occupants of the house, and were sound
asleep. About O'clock Mrs. Cumming was
aroused by the touch of a negro mans hand
upon her person. He had planted his knees
upon her left side, one hand upon her throat
and the other hand had clenched her left ear.
She was powerless to scream and
could only give deep moan. This
aroused Mrs. Vaughn, who rushed to her
mothers bedside and discovered the negro
choking her. She instantly screamed, and
being @ strong, active and vigorous lady,
clinched the negro and drew him from the
bed Then a struggle between the negro
v III.
endeavored to make his escape, taking the
same course by which he entered Mrs Gum
ming's room. He had raised the window in
the rear of the diping-room and came
through the hall to the bedroom Mrs.
Vaughn held to him closely until he
reached the window. Mrs. Cumming having
recovered from her first excitement hastily
went to her wardrobe to get her pistol, a
small Smith q Wesson, % caliber Mrs
Vaughn cried to her, telling where the
pistol was This appears to have alarmed
The negro, and he made some violent exer-
tions TO wrest himself from Mrs. Vaughns
grasp. The two had reached the window
and both were about TO fall out together
when Mrs Cumming came up and pulled
her daughter off, the negro jumping to the
steps, and in descending broke three of
them when be fell and was considerably
bruised Mrs Cumming then fired four
chambers of her pistol, without effect, and
the negro made his escape.
Both mother and daughter acted with
commendable presence of mind, and dis
PLAYED a like manner of heroism through
out the whole affair.
But a reaction took place, and when they
discovered the awful situation they had
been exposed to Mrs. Vaughn became al
most frantic for an hour. Mrs. Cummings
face and ears were badly bruised by the
ruffian's hands and her left side and ribs
also painfully bruised by his knees.
About o'clock DR.. X 2. Moore came
and administered as far as possible to the
relief Of the heroic ladies.
In the meantime the telephone at DR..
Gibsons residence had been called into
requisition and word sent to Officer Abet,
the Waterman. He at once sent Officer
Lowenthal, who carried Officer Barnes with
him. TO the house. After taking i'll the stu
alton they began pursuit for the negro.
They had not advanced far before they dis
cove! ed negro skulking on Orange street
near Walnut AS soon as he saw the officers
he began to run. He was ordered to halt,
but continued his flight, when Officer
Barnes discharged five shots at him with
out effect There being a ditch across
the street the fugitive fell into it and was
THUS overtaken by the pursuing officers.
He was identified by the officers from the
description which the ladies had given. to-
wit: That he was of ordinary size, very
black was bareheaded, hair cropped
very short, wore brown pants and coat,
tie coat being a short sack. The
captive was carried to Mrs. Cummings
residence The moment Mrs. Vaughn saw
him she exclaimed, That's the niger!
that's the niger! | fully recognize him, ="
and, in her ecstacy over his capture,
simultaneously saluted him with a power
fIl blow with her little fist plumb in the
mouth. The officers then left with the
captive for the city barracks, where he viii
remain until the recovery of Mrs. Cum
ming will allow her to proceed with the
case according to law