Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-30
BOLD THEE IN A SLEEPER.
AWonan Beaten and Robbed in Pullman Car in the Heart of Chcago-She
 Was Pucky

Chicago, Sept. 29.-A plucky woman was brutally beaten and robbed in Pull man sleeper in the heart of the city last night. fMr. Pullman's conductor, the Pullman porter and ten passengers were on the car, but the thief was gone be- fore any of them knew what had hap pened. The sleeper was attached to the Wabash train leaving for Detroit at 10:30 o'clock. Among the passengers were MT. and Mrs. George Mack, who had com partment.
 As the train started on its journey MT. Mack left his wife and went to the Smok- ing room in the opposite end of the car. The porter was standing on the platform adjoining the compartment, with foot stool in his hand, preparing to get off. At that moment the door of the compart- ment was opened, man stepped inside and said to Mrs. Mack, Not word, madam, and you are safe.' She had dls- robed and was sitting in dressing gown: The fellow then cooly took her purse ana a small valise.
 The audacity of the man had rendered Mrs. Mack almost speeches., but when he began to gather in her dress skirt ana wrap she found her voice. With scream she seized the skirt, and the thief struck her a blow on the side of the head that knocked her down. Then he attempted to leave the car with his plunder. The prospect of losing her dress and wrap nerved Mrs Mack to final ef- fort Once again she made dash at the thief screaming the while, and once again a blow from the ruffian's fist all but silenced her.
 Staggering under the blow she had re- ceiyed, Mrs. Mack still managed to cnng to the coat collar of her assailant, who. realizing the danger of arrest, made a dash for the platform, dragging the wo- 10 the fellow dealt a final blow to his vic tim, hufling her to the floor, and Jumped from the train. He dashed past the porter and escaped before the passengers or tralnmen realized what had taken place. The passengers heard the screams, but before they reached the platform the thief was gone.
 The train was held few minutes while a search of the neighborhood could te made. Men were sent in every direction, but no trace of the theft was found. Meantime MT. Mack was caring for his wife. She was very nervous and suffered great pain from the blows she received.
 The value of the stolen property is not large. Mrs. Mack says the wrap is worth $45 but she does not think she had much money in her purse. The valise contain ed such articles as woman would take for railroad journey. the actual value being comparatively small.
 ''I was dazed by the first blow he struck" said Mrs. Mack. When he en- tered my compartment my first tendency was to scream. I knew what he wanted but on second thought I realized my safest plan was to remain quiet, for 1 felt certain the man could not escape de- lection of the train employees. He warned me to be quiet and l was. When l seized his arm, however, he struck me twice, and l became very weak. I re- solved to defend my property though, and when the man started out I clung to him. There was not train employe in sight, nor were any of the passengers Vis- ible.
 'I held him until we reached the plat form, and then l knew he would get away, so l called for help. He struck me again with such force that I was com pelled to release my hold, and he got away. It all happened so quickly I could hardly realize it. think I would recog- nize the man if I were to see him again. He was young and tall He wore no mask and, so far as I know, was not armed"
 Trainmen regard the robbery as re- markable. It could occur, they say, only under accidental circumstances. Not one time in thousand, they insist. would it be possible for man to board a sleeper unnoticed MT. Mack did not know of the assault and robbery until after the man had escaped.
 At the Wabash railroad offices the only information obtainable was that they were expecting a report on the case from Peru, Ind. but just when the report would reach the city it was hard to say, or at least hard to get any one to say. The Pullman people say they know noth- ing of the affair." and that they are not responsible for valua bles carried in com partments.