Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-03
B 0 / D H | G H WAY M A \
Mr.. Samuel F. Merrill Knocked Down and
Robbed.
Gold Watch and Chain Secured
Robbcr. Are Active in
This City.

One OF the boldest robberies that has
been committed in this city In q number
OF years was committed last night between
and 10 o'clock on the sidewalk in front
OF the Portland Flats. facing Thomas
Circle. The victim Of the bold highway
man was Mr. Samuel b. Merrill who lives
at ll21 l4th street, just opposite the Port
land He is heavy man and Is advanced
In years, but fortunately when knocked
down by the nurderous highwayman he
fell upon the sidewalk in a manner which
caused him 10 serious harm.
Early In the evening Mr.. Merrill was a,
some Of the down town hotels discussing
politics With some friends At one hotel
where bets were being made it is said. he
exhibited roll of money and made all
offer to stake some Of 1t on the result O.
todays battle of votes. but could find nc
takers. Soon after . clock he started 70,
home. getting on 18th street car at Penn
syivanla avenue and 9th street In the
crowd where politics had been discussed
there were plenty of bystanders and dis
interested persons, some of them of the
jackson City stripe. and it is thought tina
one or them who wanted to get the roll
OF bills followed Mr. Merrill on the car.
III ne did there was nothing SUSPICIOUS
about his conduct to attract attention. no,
did Mr.. Merrill even suspect anything
wrong until he was actually waylaid.
Inc robber was white man and h
was seen to approach the victim from be-
hind. Being a heavy man Mr.. Merrill was
easily pushed down, and in an instant the
h!ghwayman had his watch and chain
and was on his way from the scene. There
were several pedestrians on the street
at the time. but only one of them. a col
ored man. made any effort to catch the
thief, and he soon gave up the pursuit
when MIR. Merrill had recovered from the
shock he found that the thief had used
no ,,tt 1,~1N rs
his vest through which the chain was fas-
tened. and his face was also dishgured.
The watch, chain and locket are valued at
500.
Information of the daring crime was soon
conveyed to the police, and Detective Boyd,
as we'll as the officers of the second pre-
cinct' were making an Investigation. A
good description Of the criminal was given,
and the police are making efforts to an.
prehend him.
Other RObberics.
Some time last night burglars visited
the home of Detective Sergeant Robert
Johnson on z street northwest and mada
extensive preparations for big haul. Mrs
! Johnson Is sick. and 1t is supposed tina,
whlie she was moving about the house the
burglars were frightened off, Nothing was
kroWn OF their presence in the house until
TINS morning. when the discovery was
made that the back doors ana windows had
been opened and the light on the upper
floor had beer extingulshed. There was
evidence that the burglars had been
through almost the entire house. but moth
ing was missing.
A Liberty bicycle No 13OO4 was stolen
from In trent of cigar store at AZ street
ana pennsylvania avenue yesterday. The
wheel belonged to ]. H. BuEnish
sunday night the place of Moore & Tri-
clean. No. l216 Pennsylvania avenue, was
burg larized. An entrance was effected by
1crcmg open the rear door, and box of
cigars and two bottles Of whisky were
stolen. II -
ooit OF cloth was stolen. from the store
OF e. Behrend, No. IA It'll street north
west. :. H.