Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-12
BRUTAL ASSAULT.
A Negro Fiend Pounds u Farmer Into
lnsensibility.
special Correspondence of The Evening Star
ROCKVILLE Nd July II 1877


Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
ROCKVILLE, Md, July IL, 1897
Much excitement prevails in the eastern
section of this county over a murderous as
sault made upon Mr.. Frank Griffith FRIDAY
last, ard Which at latest accounts is likely
to prove fatal. Mr.. Griffith resides in
Howard county, a very short distance from
the Montgomery county line, and has had
In his employ as a farm hand for several
months a negro named Tom Brown, who
came to him from Baltimore city. Friday
during the forenoon they both had been
at work in the field and when the hour OF
noon came went to the house for dinner.
mrs Griffith, accompanied by her two
cIloren, had left home on business but
had before leaving provided a lunch for
them. The negro appeared to be in bad
humor and declared he would not eat un-
less he had hot dinner Mr.. Griffith ex-
postulated with him and told him he ought
to be satisfied, as he was offered the same
Kind OF dinner he was eating himself This
did not satisfy him and he continued ours
ing, when Mr.. Griffith paid him what he
owed MIN and ordered him to leave the
place.
When he had finished eating Mr.. Griffith
supposing the negro had gone, started back
to the field but when he turned the cor
ner or the house he was struck in the head
with a stone by the fellow and knocked
to the ground. AS soon as he fell the negro
Jumped upon him and with his heavy boots
stamped him on all parts of the back,
leaving him in unconscious condition,
Not yet satisfied with his work, the negro
went back into the house and broke up all
the dishes and other articles in the room
and finally left the place. Mr.. Griffith re-
manned unconscious until an hour after
the return of his wife, who arrived about
o'clock An alarm was given and medical
aid summoned, when it was discovered that
the skull had been fractured and that he
was otherwise badly injured
His father. Judge Charles H. Griffith of
the orphans court of this county and
other members of the family were notified
and were soon with the wounded man. he
residing but few miles from them A
description of the negro was at once tele-
graphed to the police of Baltimore and
Washington.
Brown Is said to be a desperate and dis
reputable character, having served a term
in the Maryland penitentiary. Mr.. Griffith
is a well-to-do and popular citizen and
feeling in regard to the outrage runs high
Rockville for the first time in the his
tory of the town, was Saturday night bril-
liantly Illuminated throughout with electric
lights. The top of the high tower, con-
nected with the water supply, standing on
an eminence east of the railroad was also
illuminated with twenty lights, and was
visible for miles. The test Of the lighting
capacity of the plant was perfectly salts
factory.
Inspector Hollinberger received a dis
patch from Rockville last night, asking
that the police be instructed to look out for
the fugitive, Brown. The dispatch was
signed by Charles H. Griffith, and stated
that Brown was wanted for murder. He is
old, and wearing brown SLOUGH hat
sharp-toed shoes and a pink shirt The
dispatch stated that he Is a native of Bal
t!more.