The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-01
THE PULLING MYSTERY.
POLICE APPEAR TO BE WORKING ~
THE DARK.

II Is Said, However, That They Are In
Possession of Clues which May Result in
the Arrest Of the Guilty AssaiIant of the
Girl.
Time and earnest endeavor have utterly
failed thus far to clear up the mysteries which
surround the facts connected with the assault
made on little Bessie Pulling last "Wednesday
night. In fact, 10 a casual observer, they
seem 10 deepen.
The police are exerting every effort to fix
the guilt where it justly belongs, and Captain
Hulce and his three men who are detailed
specially on the work have worked night and
day since Thursday morning. hardly taking
time 10 eat, nor have they had but a few hours
When the police were first informed Of the
outrage they had absolutely no clue 70 follow.
The child has failed from the first TO Giveany
thing like description OF her assmiant one
still asserts that the man was nCgfO, ana
wore cap, but seems unable 10 say anything
further and her condition is still such az 10
prevent her being questioned closely upon the
subject.
SUFFERS INTENSELY.
At times she seems comparative bright,
but suffers almost constantly the most ex-
under the influence of opiates. and she ofien
shrieks Loudly. Eight persons have been ar
rested charged with the crime, but the lttle
girl has failed 10 recognize them and tEey
were discharged. Her only description Was
that the man was a negro and wore cap. ana
one cap has caused the arrest Of two negroes.
The first one after being arrested, Thought IL
not prudent 10 wear the cap again, 80 he gave
it to friend.
few hours afterwards the friend was ar
rested. and after gaining his release he walked
out Of the city and threw the cap away.
GIVE no OPINIONS.
While Captain Hulce and the men on the
case refuse positively TO state their OPINION or
saw what progress they have made, they now
seem to be working more 10 certain POINT
and it is believed that their clues have boon
strengthened.
1t may be that when the arrest Is made,
should the police be 80 fortunate, that many
will be surprised when they have a description
Of the brute which their imaginauons have
painted in such horrible colOrs.
Public opinion is becoming very much dlvld-
ed concerning the matter, and IT Is e,ldent that
different theories exist lnhsnau0n' now
ever. has abated not IN the least. and sympd-
thy for the victim is expressed freely. Nomai-
ter how or by whom the deed was committed,
the crime remains the same.
FOUR PEOPLE PASSED.
The old shoemaker. Smith said yesterday
20 Times. reporter that while the glrl and
her assailant were lying on the ground, four
people passed by. He said that he was stand
ing in his door and saw them. and that
they were close enough to the couple
to have touched them. In his statement
yesterday he became slightly mixed and
doubled" on himself several times. lie sald
at one time that the first thing that attracted
his attention was the mans voice when
they were standing Just IN front OF the
window. saying. If you hOller III Kill you, w
and that he heard no screams at all.
Soon afterwards he stated that his FIRST IN
timation was when he heard IA snOtnered
scream.
Al one time he said he saw them crossing
the street, and then again he SAID that they
were standing on the other side OF the street
when he first saw them.
He positively stated that at no time did he
see any sign of a struggle, and that lac saw
them walking down towards Cary street To
the opening in the fence where they turned IN.
He Thought he said. that they were servants
in the nelghborhOOd, and he went Tor the DO
lice TO arrest them for disOrdeIly conduct.
"TENDIN' TO BUSINESS"
He saw the man when he walked away to-
wards Cary street. and he looked, he said. as
if "he mOut be tendin 10 some business"
He said that when he heard the man threaten
to kill the girl that he did not think anything
of it. as he said his voice want no ways
harsh. and thought il was jes' some children
playin'."
The fact that the place was so public that q
policeman had passed only few minute, be
fore, that the alleged assault was made under
the very light of the shoemakcr's WIN
dow. and SO near az for the voice
to be heard inside the house;
that four people passed the couple within
arms reach and that no cutlery was made, ma
turally leads to the diversity OF opinion which
exists. BE the facts in the case. however,
what they may, every citizen Of Richmond Is
more than anxious that the william De brought
10 speedy justice