The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-28
THE WEST-END MYSTERY.
NEW PARTICULlfRS ~ THE PULLING
OUTAGE CiSE.
Testimony of Persons who saw the Girl In
Company with "a Man, Walking 10 the
Lot Where the Crime Was COMMUNICATION
Arrested on Suspicion.


lot Where the Crime Was Commiited-Men
Arrested on Suspicion.
The heinous assault committed on little
Bessie Dorothy Pulling on Wednesday even
ing is still clouded in mystery, notwithsiand-
Ing the fact that Captain Hulce, Of the Third
police precinct. and his men are trying Their
level best to unearth the crime.
CAPTAIN Hulce. when seen by a representa-
tive Of The TIMES yesterday, stated that his
whole force was on the lookout for the assa'l-
ant. while three officers, Messrs. Gibson
TYLER and Marion, were detailed on the
case. 1,.
They are keeping the vicinity OF Morris
street under constant surveillance and the
Captain himself is giving the matter great
deal of his time.
He is determined not TO leave one stone I'M
Turned until he succeeds in hunting the rascal
down. In speaking Of the manner IN winch
the case had been brought 10 his attention
Capt. Hulce said that on "Wednesday night ne
left the station house about II o'clock, and by
that time no report had rs vet been made IN
regard 20 the outrage He did not return until
about So'clock i'll themorning and dd not near
of it until he reached the station. However
the report had been made 10y the oihcels
some time during the night
THE sHoEMAKER's STORY.
The only persons found so far who can tell
ANYTHING in regard to the assault are Burwell
Smith. an old colOred shoemaker, who lves
ON the same side of south Morris street with
Mr. Pulling but nearer 10 Main street, and a
friend Of Smith. Robert Freeman.
Smith is described by those who have known
him for years as a perfectly trustworthy and
reliable man.
IL his narrative be true it would only 60 10
make matters more complicated than they
are at present Smith told the representa-
tive of rHK TIMFs yesterday that he was Just
about ready to close up his shop on NedneS-
dav night about 7 o'clock, when he heard two
persons come up Morris street, and It sound
ed TO him as if they were walking up from
Cary towards Main street.
Immediately in front Of his house they
stopped.
One of the voices, that of n female. sounded
somewhat mufiled, as if hand was LAID across
her mouth Smith, who was then sitting near
his stove smoking pipe, thought at first that
children were playing in the street, but soon
heard them 60 across the street; he became
suspicious that something wrong might he up.
He went TO his door, which he opened wide
in order that he might be seen by, the couple,
while he took his position in tho doorway.
He did not recognize any more than mat
they were man and a female talking together
on the other side of the street.
He heard the man say to his companion,
"Come. let US 90 down here" whereupOn
both walked down Morris toward Cary street.
1t being dark night, he soon lost sight Of
them.
FREEMAN ON THE TRACK.
At this moment Robert Freeman came up
% visit Smith, and the latter told him that he
had lust seen a couple 60 down on the other
Bide Of the street, and he was afraid that they
might do something wrong.
He asked Freeman 10 look for "A policeman,
which he did Freeman walked TO Main
street and down the latter a far a Reservoir
street but could not find an officer. When
he came back he walked down on Morris
street to see if he could find the couple.
When he came 10 the end Of the fence at the
old flower garden he noticed the couple lying
on the ground.
lie then returned to Smith and informed
him of his observation.
Smith then went ont himself TO hunt up q
policemen; but with no better success.
He also saw the couple on the ground, but
did not hear any "hOllering.' and did not
think that there existed any dissatisfaction.
THEY PARTED.
Later on. Freeman saw the man walk down
Morris towards Cary street. while his com
panion walked back to the point where she
had crossed Morris street before, crossed over
again, and picked mp her hat which she had
dropped in front of Smiths place. She then
walked down on the west side of Morris
street towards Cary street and soon disap-
peared in the shadows of the adjacent houses.
The following il a diagram OF the intersec-
ton of Morris. between Main and Cary streets,
where the assault had been committed: