Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-01-16
MYSTERIOUS ASSAULT.
DR. ASHBROOK DECOYED TO rHg PENINSULA
AND STABBED.
His Assailans Did Not Take Bis Watch or All His
haasy-rhs Victim in Critical COadi-
toa-W2raed to Leave

DI' H. Il" AShorook is lying at his
home on Chapline street in critical
condition, as the result OF an assault
by unknown men. The crime was com.
United on the Peninsula late sunday
night. The physician was decoyed to
the spot. The circumstances surround.
Ing the affair are OF a sensational char
acter, and Investigation may lead to
startling developments.
When Prosecuting Attorney Howard
was entering the Criminal Court vester-
day morning, he was met by Lieutenant
Walter Terrell, who reported that Dr.
Ashbrook had been wAylaid, assaulted
and robbed. The doctor is one Of the
principal witnesses for the prosecution
In the Groves forgery case, which was
about 10 be called for trial. Nh. How
ard at once went 10 the home OF DR..
Ashorook TO learn the nature OF his in
)urles. He found the victim OF the as
sault In dangerous condition, with
two physicians In attendance.
The story OF the crime as told by the
victim is substantially as follows:
DIR. AsHBEooK'S STORY.
DR.. Ashbrook was 10 Manchester some
time after eleven o'clock, aud before
midnight on SUNDAY. making pro-
fessional call. He was seated in his
buggy, and was returning TO his Office,
when he was approached at the west
end OF the Seventeenth stseet bridge
over the creek by man whom he does
not remember having seen before. but
whom be would be able TO recognize
The stranger accosted him and told him
that man bad been seriously hurt in a
Tight on the Peninsula. The doctor in
quired as TO the location, and was in
structed TO 20 10 the top OF the hill on
the Peninsula road, where he would
find somebody. The stranger declined
to accompany the doctor, giving as his
excuse that he had some business to
attend TO in Manchester
DIR. Ashbrobk did not suspect any
thing wrong. He drove up McCol-
Tough street, over the Baker street
bridge, aud stopped under the second
electric light on the Peninsula. Then
he stopped his horse, and looked
around. but could see no person. He
remem bered speaking 10 man named
kitson, who drove past him in dog
cart. He heard the noise made by Kit
sons horse, In crossing the Fulton
bridge, and then heard voice halloo-
ing. Looking In the direction OF the
creek, he saw man
BECKoNING FOR HIM
The doctor hltched his horse, and
started toward the man. He did not
remember having ever seen him before.
The stranger turned as he approach he'd
him, evidently TO lead the way TO the
injured man. DR.. Ashbrook followed
closely at his heels. The man walked
toward the creek bank near the Ter
minal round house. In passing through
some tall weeds on the bank, the doctor
was struck on the head, from behind.
He was stunned by the blow, but only
momentarily. When he recovered he
found that he was In the hands OF four
men, who were divesting him OF his
clothing. His coat and vest were
roughly torn from him, while he strug-
gled with his sssailants, the vest being
torn into ribbons.
DR.. Ashbrook then received another
blow on the head, and was throwu
down. While lying on the ground he
felt knife entering his side. He knew
nothing for some time, out has faint
recollection OF seeing them walk off In
the direction OF the city. When he re-
gained consciousness he crawled up the
creek bank. and managed TO make his
way TO his buggy on the road. lie then
DROVE TO FULTON.
His strength was failing, and he was
bleeding profuseiy from the knife
wound in his abdomen. lie had several
ounces OF whisky In his case OF drugs,
which he drank. In Fulton he was
helped by man named Discher. He
was afraid TO come home by the PENN
sula route, so he took the old National
road over the hill He arrived at
his home about 1870 o'clock, weak
and exhausted DR.. Bebout was al
once communicated with, and arrived
Ia a short time. DR. Dickey was also
called In. His shirt was literally red
with blood, and he vomited fire.
quently. The physicians dressed his
wounds, and did all that was possible.
for him. il was several hours before
the police authorities wers notified.
The physicians state that DR.. Ash
BROOKS condition is very serious, and IL
is feared that his injuries may termin-
ate fatally. The blows on the head
were not administered by any blunt
weapon, but evidently a sand-bag or
sbOt-bsg, as the skin was not broken,
but is badly swollen. There is but one
kuIB HOuuNs winch Is lOChLtQ IN tue
abdomen several inches below the heart
The physicians are OF the opinion that
the blade penetrated the stomach, which
makes the case more complicated aud
lessons the injured mans chances for
recovery. lie vOmited blood frequently
yesterday, but last night the vomiting
stopped.
THE MOTIVE FOE THE CRIME.
That the motive for the assault was
not robbery, IS believed by every per
son FAMILIAR with the facts IN tho case.
The doctors pocket-book, containing a
lot Of papers, and q 800 note, was taken,
but some small change 10 his pocket,
and a gold watch Goo fob pocket, we're
not disturbed. Had his assailants de-
sired % rob him, % ls not likely that he
would have been permitted % retain
these valuaoles. Dr. Ashbrook's theory
Is that the assault was the
direct outgrowth Of the
Groves forgery case; that
"his enemies" Mr.. Groves and his
friends, we're afraid OF the evidence he
would give for the prosecution OF the
charges against Groves; that they did
not want % Kill him, but desired 20 get
him out Of the way. or 50 iujuro him
thot 10 Gould mot faafffy agnfraf f.rovra