The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1897-09-21
Report That the Commissioner
Was "Held Up"
HE DENIES THE STATEMENT
It Was Claimed That He Was Beaten
Severely in Broad Daylight Near
the Board Walk at Atlantic City
aud Robbed of Seven Hundred
Dollars.

Atlantic City. n. j., Sept. 2l.-one of
the hoidest and most desperate attempts al
highway rObheryever made In this section,
| occurred beie in bread daylight today.
! aud tie victtra was no less persona ge
than former Congressman Fen Butter
worn, cf Ohio, now Commissioner of
Patents.
The crime, which included a determined
holG-up and vicious assault by'two men.
one Of whom has already been identified
as a notorious crook, was made on Ten.
nessee aven 'e, one OF the most Travelled
thoroughfSIcs in the city, within few
yards OF the crowded board walk and under
the eyes of a score or more up pedestrians,
WHO gave il Only passing notice. believing
that it was simply street fight i'm which
drunken men We're engaged.
Early in the afternoon MIR. Butterworth,
who arrised here a few days ago for a
weeks rest and recuperation, engaged
one his has assaiiants, Frank Decker, whose
oStansiblr occupation IL hack driving, 10
AXE him On a sightseeing tour of the city.
ing the afternoon
Tie trip finally came TO an end at the
RatEs kemar, drinking resort on the
lIoard walk at the ocean walk al the ocean
end OF Tennessee avenue, and there MIR But
terworth called FOR his cab hin and paid the
rather stiff price asked.
Ia doing 80 he exhibited roll of bills
cont aiming ab1dt STno, and this prcsum-
~
any rate. ne left the place, and after
hunting TAP pa by the name OF Firman
returned aud Ley in " aitfor theex-Congress-
man Jus. olSide the entrance OF the Rath-
| skemar.
Ii was Just getting dusk when the com
! missioner emerged. He was again ina
/ weighed 10 enter the waiting carriage, bus
! hardy had he got in when Decker struck
! him a stunning blow III the face, knock
/ ing him in a heap in the bottom OF the
vehirle Then, the lobber threw himself
upon i.is nlostratc victim and attempted
10 40 through his pockets.
TIE liny- InadGenad Mr.. Butierworth. and
recovering himself he began a desperate
struggle win his aSSailant. The COsmIIais-
missioner il strong, and he was freeing
himself. when FiTman took band in the
game. aud between them the two men
gave him a terrible bea ting, ali the time
attempting to secure the roll of money.
They Were in a fair way to accomplish
their obiect. when the battered and bruised
but still fighting commissioner set up
q cry for help.
This cacsed an onlooker who had con
sidcred lie melee merely a brawi 10
notIfA Policeman Prelle, and the latter
arriving ON the scene placed all three
men untle" arrest aud escorted them Ia
police hea .lqusners.
Here MT. Butterworth explained matters
and made a formal charge of assault and
battery anC highwa Y robbery against Deck
er and Firman
He was 100 screIely hurt and excited
10 eiNc q connected or coherent account
OF the affair. 81 the two men Were locked
up to await furi her hearing tomorrow
'-iurning. while the commi SSioner was ss-
oorted 10 a nearby drug store, where the
bruises anc cuts with which his face and
body were covered were dressed.
La Il eight Decker, tie hack driver. was
identified as George Smith, crook.
wanted in Shis ,itN for grand larceny
cOIrnitteu Two wears ago, and IN two
other States On similar charges. A
search of Decker rooms revealed a large
amount II iewelry and other goods, sup
pUsedly stolen