The times., 1897-08-24

Mrs Carl Becker, the beautiful young
wife OF the weIl-known newspaper writer
alld correspondent OF the New York Journal,
was fbe victim of bold assault and high
way robbery yesterday afternoon about
8 O'Clock iii fashionable portion of the
northwest. After an exciting chase, the
sobher Il young colored man, was run down
hy Policeman Bryan ana locked up in the
| Second precinct station
Shortly after the rain ceased yesterday
afternoon Mrs Decker left her home, No.
1916 o street northwest, and started To
go 10 Dodge's grocery, at the corner Of
Twelfth and \ streets, 10 make some pur-
chases. She was alone, and had in
tended going no farther than the grocery.
| AS she left the house she carried her purse
| loosely in ber hand II contained a few
collars, some cards, and a few trinkets,
such as are usually found in lady's purse.
AS Mrs. Decker passed out of the house
and walked lesurely down the stseet IL
young coiored man followed close behind
her. She had scarcely noticed the fell
low, IN fact, paid no attention To him,
and was not aware OF his stealthy ap
proach
There were number of people upon
| the streets in the vicinity at the time,
but when Mrs. Decker reached mid way OF
the block between \ and streets, on
Twelfth, The thief suddenly crept up
from behind, seized the lady by the
arm, and without d word snatched her
purse from her grasp and darted down
| the street. Mrs. Decker was naturally
| frightened at the attack, and gave
scream that Immediately brought a dozen
| pedestrians TO her assistance, while as
many more joined In the chase after the
r0bber, who 10y this time was nearly d
| block away.
Policeman Bryan, OF the Second PIE
| cE1ct, was standing on NJ street, between
! Eleventh and Twelfth streets, at the time
and seeing the excitement, took after the
| culpTiU. who by this time was well in adj
| vance of his pursuers. The officer is one
| OF the best sprnters on the force and as
soon as he gave chase after the robber he
was as good as caught In an instant he
took the lead Of the crowd, which waSnow
chasing the highwayman, and even dis
tanccd the grocery horse ar Dodge's store
which the delivery boy was driving rapidly
down the street in al endaayor TO overUake
the negro.
" IeH IOhceilal bryan was WlJHlh d
few feet of the robber, the latter, thinking
| to divert the attention OF the officer, drew
| forth the stolen purse which he had con-
cealed in his coat, and threw it out into
the street, where it was picked up by
citizen and returned to Mrs. Decker.
After most exciting chase of several
| squares, the policeman overhauled the
culprit and placed him under arrest. Then
surrounded by Ii mad dened crowd, he
marched him back TO the grocery, where
| Mrs Decker identified him as her assailant
He was then taken 90 No. station in
patrol gon and locked up on the charge
Of assault and highway robbery. The
fellow gave his name as Francis Gilbert,
aged nineteen, and no occupation. he
was a rather tough-looking citizen and
| poorly dressed.
Mrs. Decker was nearly overcome by
the excitement and was taken back to her
home by friends, but last night was none
the worse for her exciting experience.
She was Inharined by the assault.
The case against Gilbert viii come up
in the police court this morning.