The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-11
A BRAVE COUP DE MAIN
MR.. GORDON,s PROMPT ACTION IN
THE FACE or a FOE.
A Masked Bandit Appeared Mt the Door
and Flashed "A Revolver In HIS race
But He Was Driven on.

A desperate attempt at robbery was
made about o'clock Sunday night at the
residence Of Or. Virginius w. Harrison
on Grace street near Twonty-soventh.
Mr.. W L. Gordon. brother-in-law Of
DR.. HARRISON. occupies the same resi-
dence. and he was seated in the front
Office reading when he heard rafting
al the door. lie got up, thinking that
Dr. Harrison was returning from q trip
and opened the front door. Just as Dee
opened the door Mr. Gordon was con
fronted by a man wearing black mask
with a drawn revolver. which he thrust
in close proximity TO MI Gordon's face,
and demanded that that gentleman throw
up his hands The man never hdd a
chance to finish his sentence, Tor Mi'
gordon recovered himself quickly
Ile made rush AT the man. who was
standing partly In the door. The highway
man fell backward. on the brick pave
ment. and Mr. Gordon on top Of him ln
falling Mr.. Gordon struck his hedd, rem
deung him partially UNCONSCIOUS 1l9
when he regained consciousness me- Ntlru
for help. the man having gotten up AMI
was jumping the fence.
MIR. GORDCN'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. Gordon. when seen Yesterday.
made the following statement relative 10
the affair.
AT about quarter Of sunday evening
/ was reading Boo the front Office OF my
brOthet-in-law. DR. Nrsinlus harrison.
My chair was nearly iu front OF, ana
about five feet distant from the plate
glass office door. | suddenly heard. dS !
thought. Il key being inserted 30 the door
lock. and thinking 10 was the doctor /
stepped TO the door 90 save MN me Uou-
Bile Of finding the keyhOle. ON opening
wide the door imagine my surprise Whrl
man. his features covered by black
mask sprang from the shadow or the
dark porch simultaneously pOklns a. rs
t0l right In my very face. From ms
words. he evidently mistoOk me FOR my
brOther-ln-laW. as he said. Doctor. give
--." CIhc rest ! did not hrdll ]
realized that only quick action could
avail me. so gathering almost suprrndiu-
raj strength. / Jumped at him with uoth
hands to push him down the steps. Ihe
fellow was taken 50 unaWdrcS lhat me-
was precipitateI TO the pavement below.
Expecting greater resistance ], 100, took
header I'm the same direction, sus-
tainlng terrible shock ana a lew
bruises when / struck the bricks Dc-
low on regaining my senses, ] Imagined
that he had struck me on the head with
the handle OF his pistol thinking that he
was still standing over me, | gave the
alarm by calling for Help
"Over the iron fence he leaped ana iell
TO the sidewalk for second. but quick
~ regaincd his feet and ran rapidly down
Grace street i'm the direction Of the Ches-
peake and Ohio tunnel My fall badly
| wrenched my back and 1 had TO lean on
| the fence for support
Last Tuesday about midday was Sit
| ting IN Dr. Harrison's office when man
| came 20 the door and asked for food
| and being refused. slowly turned away
my wife noting that he had a scOwl upon
his face. He was "A man OF slight build
] about five feet, seven inches high and
4 wore patent leather shoes. light weight
! greyish overcOat. and brown Fedora hat
| THE SAME MAN.
SUNDAY night the mask, of course. hid
| his features partially his CHA only be-
! ing visible. but am satisfied. fron the
| clothes and hat Of the man he was none
| other than my caller OF Tuesday and the
| same man who has been in this neighbour
| hOoOd for the past week. alarming seve-
| raj OF the ladies. We do not expect him
agiin soon. however
, The man has been noticed I'm the neigh
\ borhood for several days. and he ma,
i been TO several houses In the immediate
| vicinity, seeking food. His action has
| created suspicion, and several ladies' have
4 been annoyed by his habit OF staring al
! them. lie was asked what he wanted
by a resident OF the section IN which h
| attempted robbery. and he rcplieI that
| he was waiting for his brother.
| Sunday night the man was seen running
| from the scene OF his work and ne wa,
| positively identified as the man who ha,
| been seen hanging around the corner 10
| several days.
| In his flight Sunday night he threw
! away a pair OF rubber "crcepers.' rsu
| ally worn by thieves. and they were
| found by the police In front Of the gate
\ The police are working on the case an,
| they expect to land their man shorty
! He Is thought 20 have gone in The Ill