Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-24
WORK OF FOOTBALLS.
One Affair f. Surrounded by Consid-
cradle Mystery. ----..-a


cradle Mystery. ----..-s
According to the police reports there were
two bold attempts at highway robbery last
evening within a few squares of the Capt.
toll.
The first is supposed to have occurred
in the Capitol grounds early In the even
ing. and the victim, John w. Keys claims
to have been knocked down. relieved of
$165 and left lying under the trees in
unconscious condition.
About 10 o'clock VIM. Waters, a painter
who lives at No. GIG Sheridan avenue. was
walking along North Capitol street near
G street, when he was accosted by a cou-
pie of white men. who asked him the time.
Waters replied that he had no watch and
was about to pass on. when one of the
men struck him a stunning blow on the
side of the face. The other then struck
him with some blunt instrument, pos
sibly blackjack. Waters cried out for
help. and his cries brought a policeman
to the scene. Waters assaiants had
started to make a search OF his clothing
for valuables, but evidently thought dis
erection was the better part of valor for
they took to their heels I'm time to make
good their escape. Waters was able to
give fair description of the highway
men. and the police are making an active
search for the men.
Waters injuries were so serious that he
had to go TO the Freedmens Hospital for
broken and several others were loosened.
He also had number Of severe bruises.
Wrapped I'm Mystery.
The other case seems to be wrapped in
considerable mystery. Mr.. Keys is a con-
tractor, who lives at s11 10Th street Tues
day afternoon he received S215 as the final
payment on some work, and of this he paid
S1l0 to plumber According to his story
he visited friend on Capitol Hill early last
rot late- than Z 30 o'clock. He was not far
from the little shelter at the terminus of
the electric car line when he was APP
preached by a colored man. who asked for
some tobacco. Mr.. Keys was in the act of
| handing il to him, when the man drew OF
and hit him a tremendous blow just back of
| the ear. Mr.. Keys fell to the ground uncon-
scious. and when he woke up. half hour
| later he thinks he found that his pockets
| had been emptied of all his money.
The first that was known OF the assault
vas when Mr.. Keys appeared at the sixth
| precinct station, on New Jersey avenue, and
| told his story. An investigation was at
| once instituted but so far nothing has been
| discovered TO bear out Mr.. Keys state
| ments, and the police are inclined to dis
| credit them They say that when he came
| to the station he showed absolutely no
| signs of violence about his person. and fur
1 thermore, gave altogether too minute a de-
| soription of his assailant. They claim that a
man could not have lain for half hour
| where he says he did last evening without
| being discovered, and the policeman on that
| beat was within few feet OF the place
| about the time the assault is said to have
Il occurred, and he saw nothing of ii, nor Of
| the victim lying unconscious.
| Late last night the police OF the sixth
precinct arrested a colored man and locked
| him up suspicion. Keys was sent for.
| but failed to respond, and as there was no
| evidence against the prisoner he was dis
| charged.
| Detectives Carter and Gallagher have
been assigned to the case, and are making a
| further investigation today.