New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-10
KILLED BYA MASKED ROBBER
MURDER OF AN OLD RESIDENT OF SUM-
NIT, n. ].
THE HOUsEKEEPER BADLY BEATEN AND MAY
DIE-THE RUFFIAN ESCAPES AND IS
BEING HUNTED.

Summit, ~ j., Sept 0 (SpeciaD. james c.
Pitts, one Of the oldest and most respected resi-
dents OF this place was killed in his home on the
outskirts Of the town by masked man tonight,
and his housekeeper. who was the only other
occupant of his home at the time. was so badly
beaten that she is expected to die before morn
ing Her screams. however. frightened the ruff
fan. and he escaped while the woman made
her way as best she could to the nearest neigh
bor and after giving the alarm. fell uncon-
scious.
Mr. Pitts was seventy-1ve years old. His
house is lonely one, and the housekeeper last
night was his only companion. According to the
story she managed to tell before she lost her
senses from the terrible injuries she had re-
ceived she and Mr.. Pitts were In the kitchen Of
the house when the door opened and big.
roughly dressed man, whose features were hid
den by n strip OF black cloth, ran into the room
Mr.. Pitts turned to ask the fellow what he
wanted, but before he could frame the question
the man struck him down with heavy club.
The woman screamed and tried to run out, but
the man caught her by the arm. He could not
sthe her shrieks however. and at last stopped.
listened a moment and ran out Of the house
into the darkness. The woman, leaving her
master unconscious. as she thought, ran to look
for aid.
The neighbors who heard the story at once
went over to Mr.. Pitts house. He was found
lying In a pool OF blood. his skull crushed In.
The room was badly tumbled about. but as far
as could be seen nothing OF value had been
taken from It. The town police were at once
informed and were soon the spot.
While the housekeeper's injuries were at
tended to by n doctor, search after the burglar.
as he Is supposed 10 be, was begun.
Police Captain Stewart telephoned TO the po-
lice Of the adjoining tcwns. A suspicious char
actar had been noticed In the afternoon inquir-
ing for Mr.. Green's house. which Is short dis
tance from where the murder occurred. Mrs.
A. c. Woodruff says that about the time the
murder occurred or shortly afterward she no.
ticed strange man. coatless and hatless, on
the road near the Pitts homestead and that
she sent her dog after him. and he ran away.
Mr.. Pitts was born In the house where he was
murdered. He was prominent member OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and was mem
Der OF the Township Committee fifteen years
ago. He strictly temperate and had no
enemies The motive for the murder was owl
IDENTIFY robbery but the screams OF the woman
frightened the burglar away before he got any
| booty. The police are unable TO obtain any clew
thus far and are unable to find the weapon with
which the deed committed.
The house is in lonesome place adjoining the
! entrance Of the Fresh Air and ConValescen'
I Home. Many under the impression tha'
| Pitts kept a large sum Of money In the house
! but everything was seemingly untouched. Inc
| murderer must be covered with blood, as tracks
| were from one room TO the other.
Mary Davis, the housekeeper. had been IN the
! employ Of Mr.. Pitts for the last eighteen years
! lie was n carpenter. but had not WORKED a' MS
trade for the last ten years. He occupied MS
! time by cultivating the farm ana raising sarue"
nroduce He recently sold his farm to the
Fresh Air and Convalescent Home "illan'
/ no,,ray tr was held up a short distance from
| ,be scene tonight by a masked man. The hre
alarm, WAS rung at midnight. and the citizens
ore securing he country for the murderer