Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-16
A MIDNIGHT ASSAULT
A MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR IN THE
COCKADE CITY.
A Citizen Aroused, Called to His
Door, and Attacked-Robbery the
Supposed Object-Harris Takes the
Vcrdict-NOtes.

PETERSBURG, VA, February ID
CSpecal)-A very remarkable case was
reported to the police this morning. the
facts Of which. in brief, are said to be as
follows: About half-past 12 o'clock last
night Mr.. Peter Crowder, Sr., who RESIDES
and keeps store at the corner Of Farmer
and Dunlop streets. In the western por-
ton of the city, was aroused by knocks
at his door, On rising 10 respond Mr..
Crowder asked who was there. In reply
he was given the name OF gentleman
whom he we'll knew, end whom he aiso
knew had been sick for some time. Sup
posing that some assistance was wanted
Mr.. Crowder. without further question,
promptly opened his door.
WHAT FOLLOWED.
Immediately on the opening OF his door
Mr.. Crowder was confronted by TWO
masked white men. the larger OF whom
a little in advance Of his companion. pre-
sented a pistol to his face and command
Cd him To throw I'D his hands" Mr..
Crowder obeyed the command. but at the
same time dealt the man powerful dow
in the face, staggering him for mo-
ment. Then began a rough-and-turnpie
fght-Mr. Crowder against the two mask
ed men--in which the former would
doubtless have been much worsted. but
for the fact that his wife came bravely
TO his assistance and took part In the
fight. AS it was, however. Mr.. Crowder
received a cut on the head, caused by a
blow from the assassin's pistol, bruised
nose and cheeks from the blows OF the
mans hands. His body was also bruised
by kicks and blows administered by the
other man. The two men were hnaily put
TO flight by Mr.. and Mrs. Crowder. proDa-
bly feeling the worse for the blows they
had received during the fight. One ot the
assallants left white felt hat behind,
which will probably lead TO his identity.
The object of this midnight attack was
doubtless robbery, as 1t was known that
M. Crowder kept money in his house;
but the most remarkable thing about the
affair, as developed by the police investi-
cation, is that the attacking parties. be-
ueved to be tramps, were. 1t Is supposed.
piloted TO Mr.. Crowder's house by one
supposed to be q relative OF the family.
The men left the city during the night,
but 1t is believed they will be caught.
TOOK THE VERDICT.
In the Hastings Court to-day counsel for
r. II. Harris withdrew their motion for
n new trial, as entered some days ago,
and announced the decision OF their client
TO accept and submit 10 the verdict of
the Jury. Thereupon Judge Mullen, in
very few words, sentenced Harris to i'm
prisonment in the penitentiary for a term
OF two years, in accordance with the
finding of the jury.
Messrs. Charles Trotter Lassiter and
Charles Hall Davis. counsel for the ac-
cused. argued In favor of a new trial for
Lewis Oliver alias Patterson (colored).
who was convicted of murder In the Sc
cond degree, and his punishment fixed aC
five years in the penitentiary. Oliver Is
said TO have been with Richard Davis at
the time the latter struck and killed Cole
man Toran. In October. Davis has not
yet been caught. The court reserved its
decision.
DEATH OF AN OLD CITIZEN.
Mr.. w. r. Tyler. aged about 65 years.
q vell-known citizen and ex-Confederate
soldier, and for many years engaged In
the bakery and confectionery business,
died last night of inilammatory rheuma-
tism. which attacked the BRAIN
The Hastings Court to-day confirmed
me sales Of the Petersburg street rail-
way for $1,000, and the Petersburg and
Asylum railway for $500. Contrary to
expectation there was no upset bid In
either case.