The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-03-06
WHIPPED THE FOOqPAD.
John Vaughan Attacked by a
Highwayman, Thrashes His
Assailant into Insensi-
bility.

Mr.. John Vaughn, of No. SO Storm ave-
nue., had a thrilling combat on Thursday
morning with footpad. The encounter
took place on Storm avenue within half
block of Mr.. Vaughn's home, where his
wife was sitting up waiting for him. She
was surprised to see his hands cut and
bleeding when he arrived home. She in
quired and learned the cause of his con-
dition. The occurrence was not reported
to the police as Mr.. Vaughn thought the
footpad was sufficiently punished when
he got through with him.
Mr. Vaughn had been to lodge meet
ing on Wednesday night and the session
being a particularly long one it was after
midnight when he started for home. He
had considerable money with him, but
felt no apprehension as footpads were
farthest from his mind. His thoughts
were at home, where his wife was await
ing him and he hastened his steps.
He turned into Storm avenue from Ber-
gen avenue, and was walking on the south
side of the street. When near Bostwick
place he saw a man walking rapidly, who
crossing the street approached him. The
latter thought the fellow was going to
continue on his way down the street and
paid no further attention to him.
When the two men came abreast of
each other the stranger turned and aim
ed a blow at Mr.. Vaughn. He, however,
through up his arm and warded the blow
off with his left arm, and turning swung
his right arm and struck his assailant
on the jaw The fellow dropped to the
ground, but was on his feet again and
the combat began in earnest.
Mr. Vaughn is a man of considerable
strength. He weighs about 1870 pounds
stockings. The footpad was not as strong
as Mr.. Vaughn and the odds were against
him all through. He made several
rushes at Mr.. Vaughn but was met every
time by the powerful right arm of the
latter. Realizing that he was getting
the worst of the battle. the footpad closed
N on Mr. Vaughn and the two men
They fell to the sidewalk and rolled
apout trying to land decisive blow. Mr..
saiant into s a0pa stats Of lnseesIbgtH n and
tne footpad cried several times that he
had enough"
punish the fellow thoroughly and yark-
ing him to his feet landed him blow after
blow upon the face of the now thoroughly
Finally one extremely forceful blow
ushered the seeker for troubae into the
land of nod, and, dropping to the side
walk, he lay insensible at Mr.. Vaughn IS
feet.
All during the struggle no policeman
appeared, and being satisfied that the
footpad had been taught a lesson that
he would not soon forget, Mr.. Vaughn
turned ON his heel and continued on his
way to his home. When he reached his
front gate he looked back and in the glare
of the electric light, ON the corner of
Storm avenue and Bostwick place, he
could see the figure of the fellow who
had attacked him laying where he had
fallen.
Mr.. Vaughn went into his house, where
he told his wife Of the encounter and
started to look to his injuries. They,
how ever, only amounted to few,
scratches Oil his knuckles. where they had
come In contact with the teeth of the
footpad. Dressing these he retired.
Some of Mr.. Vaughn's friends learned of
the encounter and that was the way the
story leaked out. A reporter for "The
News called at Mr.. Vaughns home this
morning, but that gentlman was not at
home. His wife. who answered the re-
porter's ring, substantiated the facts in
the case and said her husband was none
the worse for his midnight encounter