The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-09-22
A PLucKY WOMAN.
Mrs. T. II, Herrick Encounters "A Midnight
Burglar and Puts Him to Flight
With a Gun.

Burglar and Puts Him to Flight
With Gun.
Friday morning about one o'clock
Mrs. T. r. Herrick had very excit-
ing encounter with a burglar. Mr..
Herrick had gone to Cleveland the
afternoon before and his wife was left
in the large house alone. At the time
mentioned, she was aroused from
sleep by heavy crash. She listened
moment, but heard nothing more.
Thinking perhaps picture frame had
fallen in the parlor, she partly dressed
and with lamp in one hand and revolver
in the other, started on tour of in
spection. AS she entered the hallway
she was greeted by stong gust of
wind coming from the front entrance.
The door had been securely fastened
the evening before and the current of
air coming through indicated that by
some means it had become open. She
then went to the door. The key, which
had been left in the lock, was found
lying on the carpet inside, and one of
the large panes of glass in the door was
broken and the pieces scattered over
the floor. Mrs Herrick unfastened
the door and stepped out on the stone
porch. She stood there listening a
moment and then turned to re-enter
the house. AS she turned, tall man
raised up from one end of the porch
and started toward her. She says: 81
swung the pistol around and fired
then started to run. When l had gone
a few steps I looked around and saw
the man close behind with hands out
stretched to seize me. again swung
the pistol around and fired. All this
time kept continual screaming with
the hope of awaking the neighbors and
securing assistance. l did not shoot at
the man when I fired the two shots,
but intended to hit him the next time
pulled the trigger but the hammer
struck on an empty shell and the gun
failed TO go of. then shouted to the
man that had four or five shots left,
and if he wanted to get hurt to come
on.
By this time the neighbor's dogs
had begun to make fuss and the man
becoming frightened, turned in an
other direction and made his escape"
Mrs. Herr X went to neighbours
house and told her story. Her nerves
we're completely unstrung and it was
some time before she could give a con-
nected account of what had occurred.
Marshal Williams stood on the cor
ner of the suqare when the shots were
fred. He Immediately concluded that
his presence was needed at the scene
of the disturbance and mounting his
wheel was soon on the ground. He
made an examination Of the premises,
but could learn nothing more than is
stated above.
A few blood spots were discovered
on the door step indicating that the
person who broke the glass cut his
hand in the act.
The supposition is that the burglar
belongs here in town and is entirely
familiar with the Herrick premises.
He probably was aware that Mr.. Her.
rick had gone away and that the lady |
was alone in the house.
Mrs. Herrick does not think the as
sailant was intent upon robbery, but
believes he intended to do her some
personal inju ry had he succeeded in
catching her.
She displayed admirable nerve for
woman in her conduct under much
trying conditions, and is to be con-
gratulated upon the fact that, but for
her bravery, the affair might have
terminated more disastriously. !