The morning call., 1893-12-20
WAS NO ROBBER.
MeussdOrffer's Assailant
Wanted Revenge.
He Lay i'm Wait More Than Half an
Hour for His Intended
Victim.

It is certain that the assailant Of Oscar f.
Meussdorffer, son of the well-known halter was
not footpad and that bis motive was not rob-
berry.
The following facts In the case came out yes
terday and threw quite different light on the
affair from that shed by the victims statement
About half an hour before the assault man
of small stature leading horse hitched TO an
open buggy approached telephone pole di-
rectly in front of the residence of Robert Z.
Culbreth. All McAllister street, which is less
than block distant from the Meussdorffer
house, 500 Van Ness avenue. He hi ched the
horse and looked around. This was noticed by
several members Of Mr.. Culbreth's family who
thought he had stopped for the purpose of COM
ing Into their house.
No further heed was paid to the matter until
tile attention OF the family was aroused by con-
tlnued shrieks from MeussdOrffer. whose calls
for police were heard for TWO blocks. The
whole affair did not occupy more than a minute
or two and was supposed by those who heard
the calls 10 be a street row. Having accom-
plished his purpose. the small unknown man
united the hitchlng strap. jumped into the buggy
and drove off.
Evidently he was an acquaintance OF young
MeusSdorffer, and knew not only his residence
but something or his habits, because he lay In
wait upon MeusSdoTffer's customary path home
with no other object than 10 commit the as
odull, dS tue Te>ulI SHOWS. Inc UelgHDOrnO0Q
Is Tar from secluded, and the man took no pains
To be secret in his movements. 1t seem. clear
that he had it in' for Meussdo' fer.
No visitors are allowed TO see the wounded
man. None OF the cuts is considered serious of
ITSELF but there is danger from Inflammation,
and bis physician has ord red absolute quiet.
Neussdorfter old bis family that be did not
know his assailant, and tnat his first knOwl-
edge OF the impending attack was when the
man said: Throw upyOur hands"
One theory of the police is that the assailant
tEfpnnpn nQQhn nd ha
really spoke, said: "Put up your hands," Civ
ing MeusSdorffer chance 10 defend himself,
but when the latter began using his heavy cane
lie resOrted 10 his knife.
The only remaining reasonable theory is hat
the assallant miStoOk MeussdOrffer for some
one else, which is possible. but under all the
circumstances, not probable. The impression
prevails that the victim knows more about the
tell
Detectives Coffey and Cody we're detailed on
the case by Chief Crowley Yesterday. They
called al the residence. 500 Van Ness avenue
but were refused permission TO talk to the
wounded youth. Detective Il. L. Gibson was
also sent last night 10 see him, but met with
the same refusal.
Cofey and Cody ascertained from Mrs.
Meussdorffer, the young mans mother, tina. her
attention was attracted by the noise on the
street, and on looking out OF the front window
she saw man drive hurrledly past In a four
wheeled wagon. She SAID her son told her also
that IL was four wheeled wagon. and this
was confirmed by inquiries made among resi-
dents In tie neighbOrhood.
The detectives are so far absolutely without
clew as TO tile man who welded the knife
They are, however, under the impression that
he was not f0Otpad after filthy lucre, but that
there was some deeper motive in the attack
upon young Meussdorffer. lie was either the
person the man had bern patiently waiting for
or IL was a case OF mistaken Identity.
Chief Crowley said In all his experience he
never knew of a foOtpad to use vehicle and a
knife in case or hold-up, ana he was con-
vlnced that there was something else behind
the murderous assault upon the young man.
The hitchiDg-strap Is likely TO play an ImpOr-
tant part In leading TO a solution OF the mys-
terry. 1t evidently belonged to a business man
who had a private rig at his convenience. Tne
SNAP Is OF too good material to be owned by a
butcher or livery man.
The young mans father called at police
headquarters yesterday morning, and was
shown The knife, hat and hitching-strap. He
merely glanced at the knife and hat, but care
fully scrutinlZed the hitching-strap, turning it
over and over. He made no remark, but
seemed deeply Impressed by the appearance Of
the strap.
Inside the hat on the sweat. band are the
hguIes In pencil "270, ,00O." That may mean
something and it may mean nothing.
Until the police can obtain an interview with
the wounded man they Will not be able TO do
much. Ii Is thought he may be able to give
such description OF his assallant or other in
formation as may lead to a clew.