Evening journal., 1896-12-30
ROBBED BY a F0OTPAD.
A New York Society Woman's
Experience.
MRS BURDENS LIFE fHREATENED.

The Hiehwnyfhan snntohed Ser Purse I
ana Ran. but Was subsequently, Cap
tured-The Member OF the -Four uun-
dred Declined to Prosecute.
NEW YORK, Dec. 80. While walking
along Fifth avenue nom her palatial home, /
Seventy-setenth street, Mrs. James Abcr-
crombie Burden, wife of one Of the most |
prominent members of society, was as
saulted and robbed by n daring highway
man. who, with knife at her throat, de
manded all hor money and jewels. The
robber was Charles Denesch, who has spent
years behind prison bars and who after
being released from Sing Sing only four
days ago attempted one of the most daring
hiehway robberies in the police annals of
the city.
The robber was caught while fleeing
with Mrs. Burdens purse, which contain
ed check. His capture was due to the
early arrival Of policeman on the scene
He was compelled TO draw his revolver be-
fore the fugitive would halt
In court Mrs Burden attempted to con-
ceal her identity by giving false name
and address She did not wish TO appear
against the prisoner, and after waiting In
court more than an hour and seeing a long
line OF prisoners arraigned she suddenly
left the courtroom. A subpoena was
promptly issued for her. and the prisoner
was remanded for examination when the
society leader will be in court
Mrs Burden is the sister-in-law of /.
Townsend Burden, whose home was rob
bed by former servants Some months ago
Of diamonds and jewelry valued at $50, 600.
She was, before her marriage, Miss Mary
4 ltst..
man. He Is at present in Troy, where he
went several days ago on business con-
nected with his extensive iron works,
which are located there.
Mrs. Burden left her home on Fifth ave-
nue. and started to walk to the home Of a
friend several blocks distant She was
alone and was richly clad. She carried
mui1 In which was her pockethook, q
large and imposing affair, with mono
gram in silver on it She held the pocket
book In her right hand. 1t was partly ex.
posed She did not notice young man,
clean shayen, who was hiding behind
projecting stoop near Seventy seventh
street
AS she was passing the stoop where the
stranger was In hiding the young man
rushed out and struck tho woman a blow
from behind which almost staggered her
Turning, Mrs. Burden saw the robher.
He demanded her cash and valuables un-
der pain of death. Mrs. Burden held the
pocketbook in one hand, but the robbeI
had his clutch on It, too, and was trying
to wrest il from her.
She struggled desperately with the
thief Tho avenue IN the neighborhood
was deserted. and the pluoky member OF
/ the Four Hundred had 20 fight for her
self
"In kill your' hissed the robber, as he
bent over his victim and forced her to the
ground.
He Drew a Knife.
Mrs Burden attempted to scream, but
the robbor had hor by the throat Finding
that his victim was determined not to re-
gard his threat the robber started TO carry
it out Ono hand found its way into his
pocket and when It appeared again IL
grasped a long knife. The other hand held
on to the pocketbook Mrs Burden felt
the release Of tho hand at her throat and
was about to scvam when the blade of
the knife flashed IN the sunlight above
her
"Give It TO me now, or I'll murder
youp was the command, backed by the
keen blnde at her throat
Exhausted after her fight against such
odds, she released her hold of the pocket
book. This action saved her life She
found her voice and screamed. The robber
became frightened, and, throwing the
wife Of many times millionaire aside on
the sidewalk, he fed up the avenue.
The cries Of the victim ATTRACTED the at
tention Of several pedestrians, who started
in pursuit of the fugitive. At this time
Policeman Young who as fclon catcher
has the best record in the East Sixty-sey-
enth street station, had reached the corner
Of Seventy ninth street He heard thg
shouts and saw the man running toward
him.
The policeman attempted to block th
fugitive's wny, but the robber was feet
foot and the officer weighed 250 pounds
The fugitive lodged and passed the pc
liceman at full speed. Young followed hi.
man up the avenue He shouted to tn,
robber to halt or he would shoot The ma
turned, and, seeing the revolver leveled a
him, came to a stop and was placed unde
arrest.