Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-24
m u RIDER ATTEMPTED
Clarence Fart Tells Thrilling Story of His
Escape.
Mufdef0usly Assaulted Twice by the
Same Man-Wants to Carry
Revolver.

A decidedly daring but, luckily, unsuc-
cessful attempt at coid-hlooded murder was
attempted last evening in one Of the most
fashionable sections of the city 1t DEM
onstrates beyond question of doubt that a
determined effort to end the earthly ca
reer OF young man. a member of an emf
nently respectable family. Is being made.
Tor the attempt last evening was the sec
ono CT like character perpetrated on the
same victim within period of ten days,
II his story be true. Between the two in
cidents referred to. he says, he was about
to be waylaid. but the would-be ASSISTANTS
becs me frightened at the approach of sew
eral pedestrians and FASTENED away
Clarence Hart of 1910 15;n street is the
target Of the alleged thugs.
He Is a youth, rather frail physically
and apparently not yet twenty years of
age. He seems to think that the assaults
committed upon him were from motives
Of revenge. and not from motives of rob-
berry. The principal asslilant on each oc-
casion was a colored man about thir;y-tive
years oil age. easily recognizable because
of a brthmark on his left check Mr. Hart
Is inclined 10 think that the man is a. mem
Der of a gang against which he appeared in
court as prosecuting witness about four
years ago. On Mr.. Harris testimony the
men were convicted of grand larceny and
sentenced to the penitentiary. He is of the
opinion that the term of one of them has
expired, End that the convict has returned
to the city and is determined TO have ,he
life of the witness whose testimony sent
him to prison.
Mr.. Hart. when he reported the case at
police headquarters this afternoon, looked
decidedly the worse for wear. The sleeves
of his overcoat and other clothing were
slashed. and on his neck were half dozen
ugly scratches. The scars of two deep
va hac hiS 1aff hon nd ole ,1ai, ~
in evidence. Mr.. Hart also exhibited high
linen collar covered with blood and cut as
though with a keen-edged instrument. in
two places: An ugly lump beneath the
young mans left eye was conclusive teSti-
mony of the receipt of a. heavy blow at
that point of his anatomy.
MIR. Hart related the story of the at
tempts to take his life with every evidence
OF sincerity to a. Star reporter.
The Assaults.
'As 1 was passing along 10th street be-
tween Q and r streets Monday evening of
last week." he said Il was suddenly set
upon by a colored man, who struck me. /
don't exactly remember how 1t happened,
but hit back and my fist landed under the
mans chin. A moment later, however. he
was at me again. He lunged at me with a
dagger. and as 1 threw up my hands in an
effort to save myself | was stabbed twice
on the left hand / then made an outcry
and the man ran off into the darkness.
The only person near by at the time was
colored man, who looked on. but who
made not the slightest move to assist me-
After my assailant disappeared this on
locker remarked: Huh, you got the best of
MIN, DIDN'T your
Later in the week" continued Mr. Hart,
two men sprang at me from behind a tree
box short distance from my residence.
but just at that moment several persons
turned the corner of the street, and their
timely appearance unquestionab1y saved
me from molestation then.
Il left the house last night about IL
o'clock" Mr.. Hart went on to say, land
when midway on street between New
Hampshire avenue and 18th street, in q
dark spot, l was without warning, seized
attempting to rise. was felled again by a
blow in the face.
| The same man who waylaid me last weel
dropped on mo and began cutting at me
with razor, ! think: Had l not been
wearing at the time this k,gh thick collar
there Is no question in my mind that my
throat would have been cut. / struggled as
lest l coulG and endeavored 10 make an
cutlery. but was prevented from so doing
Again pedestrians approached, ard the
| men--I think there were twc-ran off i at.
| tempted to follow. but being Handicapped
| with long overcoat was soon distanced
When 1 reached home 1 was in very
cory condition"
Mr.. Hart applied today for a permit tc
| carry pistol. Whether II is granted or re-
| fused, he said. he intends TO arm himself
| as he considers his life in imminent danger
| Mr.. Hart added that he will not hesitate
| covers the semblancc Of an effort to again
| harm him.
The police entertain some doubt as to the
| reliability of Mr.. Harris statements The,
| are inclined to think that Il assaulted, hs
| may have, perhaps unintentionally, exag.
! Serated the circumstances.