The times., 1897-03-17
YOUNG'S STORY DOUBTED.
Detectives Believe That He Was
Neither Robbed Nor Sandbagged.
All the Evidence Collected Tends
To Prove That His Injuries We're
Self-;nflicted.

On the night of March s, about 10
o'clock, man who gave his name as
George H. Young, u merchant of Shenango,
Va, rushed into No. precinct station
and represented to the police that he had
been sandbagged and robbed OF $2S5, and
a gold watch, In the Capitol grounds. The
case based upon the man S statements was
fully reported in the Morning Times, and
a careful investigation of the circums tances
Of the alleged robbery was made by the
detectives. No arrests were made, how
ever, but since that time evidence has
come to light which tends to disprove Mr..
Young's story.
According TO the mans story, he had
been stopping at the home of Mr.. Henry
Burns, No. 516 Seventh street southeast,
since inauguration, and had intended GO
ing home late on the night of the alleged
robbery. He said he was returning to
Mr.. Burns residence to bid the family
good-by before taking the train, and while
nearing the eastern limits Of the Capitol
grounds he was approached from behind
by the thief, who threw acid in his eyes
to blind him, and then hit him u stunning
blow on the head with a sandbag. This, it
was stated, had rendered him unconscious,
and while i'll that state the thief had
searched his pockets and secured the
money and watch
The man had evidently familiariZed him
self thoroughly with the tale he should tell,
for his account of the affair at first given
to the police was very clear and plain.
When the detectives began to work upon
the case discrepancies were soon discoy-
ered
In his first account Young had stated
that he was found by a lady and a gentle
man, and later he said he believed that it
was two men. No one was ever found by
the police who had seen the man lying
upon the sidewalk, as he had stated, and
the police then searched further for a
clew. Mr.. Young had stated that he
was positive that no one in the city was
aware OF the fact that he carried such
a large sum OF money, and his personal
appearance would indicate that he was
entirely without means. 1t was discovered
after considerable probing of the matter
that the $2S5 Young alleged to have lost
belonged to his brother -in-law, who is the
proprietor of two stores in adjoining
counties in Virginia. Fifteen dollars of his
own money Young had left with his daugh-
ter for safe keeping short time before
he claimed to have been waylaid. II was
further developed that the man had i'll
duced his brother-in-law 10 allow him TO
bring the money with him TO Washington,
ON the pretense that he might see some
goods cheap which it would be advan-
taeeous to purchase on the spot for cash.
Another interesting feature was un-
earthed yesterday which would seem to
indicate q still further motive for being
robbed. About II hour before Young re-
ported that he had been held up, he pur-
chased for % cents, at the Baltimore and
Potomac station accident policy by
which he was to be the beneficiary TO the
amount Of $50 per week iu case OF injury.
The policy was good for three days only,
and in less than an hour the man had
been, as he alleges, sandbagged. Further
than this, several weeks ago he became
insured in another accidental insurance
company whose policy held eood for q
longer time, and by which he was entitled
to $40 per week sick benefits. These facts
were brought out by the police and yes
terday one of tie insurance companies in
examining the case, refused to pay the
indemnity. DIR. Burnett, of the Emergency
Hospital, also made a careful examine
tion of the mans optic yesterday and failed
to discover any injury To his sight.
To the physicians it was evident that
some poisonous substance had been rubbed
about the eye, but none had entered, as
would have been the case had the sub
stance been thrown at him. as alleged
Furthermore, there wereno marks of where
the poison should have burned his face and
cheek. The knot on the man IS head, where
he claimed to have been struck by the sand
bag, the physicians say. could easily have
been inflicted by himself, by humping II
against some hard substance.
Since the night of the alleged hold-up
Young has been staying at the home of his
friend, and endeavoring to secure the
money on his accident policies. 1t is pos
sible that some developm ents may follow
which will lead to his arrest.
N TIT