Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-04
A BOLD BURGLARY.
A DESPERATE THIEF ENTERS THE
HOME OF MAI. ID. N. WALKER.
AN ENCOUNTER WITH The COOK.
The Robber Attempts nm Attack
Upon the Lady Of the House, and
Her Screams srousing the Family.
He Beats n Precipitnte Flight.

One or the most daring burglaries
which have been pcrpetrated In some
time In this city was committed at the
house OF Major d. n. Walker, at No. JOS
Park street, early Sunday morning. and
the burglar made good his escape, carry
ing off with him about $50 in money and
lot OF jewelry.
The thief. who was seen by several
members of the household, was recog-
nized as tramp who was given food at
the Walker homestead on the dsv pre-
ceding the robbery. Major and Mrs.
Walker gave a NewYear's entertainment
at their hospitable home on Saturday
evening. and the entire family were up
late, hence they slept soundly during the
early morning hours.
II was about o'clock in the morning
when Mrs. Walker was aroused by the
noise made by some one rumaging in the
drawers Of her bureau. and sitting up in
bed she peered over the footboard and
saw a white uan leaning over in the act
OF pocketing her iewelry.
BURGLAR USED A STICK.
She at once screamed aloud for her
husband, who was sleeping in an adjoin-
ing room. and the burglar sprang at her
and made vicious attempt to strike her
with heavy stick he had in his hand
She warded off the blow, however and
as her screams had aroused the house
hold, the thief beat a hasty retreat.
lie had made his entrance to the house
through the kitchen door, which he had
forced, and had evidently prepared for
feast. as he had been through the pantry
and fixed up nice lunch In box, which
he deposited on the kitchen table beside
his shoes, which, out of abundant eau
ton. he had removed.
While he was upstairs In the bed
chambers the cook arrived and began
putting down" her bread. She noticed
the shoes and the bundle of food, but
thought they had been left there by some
member Of the family. and paid no par
ticular attention TO them. Her attention
was attracted by Mrs. Walkers screams.
and she started through the dininF-room
TO investigate. She met the burglar
coming down the steps and grappled with
him. He was armed with a carving
knife, but this he dropped in the scuGe
as well as a diamond cross and a slve.'
quarter
DRAGGED THE COOK TO THE GATE,
He struggled hard to get away. and
hearing the Messrs. Walker approaching.
he made a prodigous effort to free him
self, and dragged the cook who still
chung to hr'. out to the back gate where
he shook her aloose and fed precipitately.
She recognized him as the man she had
fed i'm the kitchen Saturday.
1t was ascertained by members Of the
family after the thief had gone that
prior to his entrance of Mrs. Walkers
room he had gone into that occupied by
Major Walker and had gone through
that gentlemans clothes, taking from
them $50 in bills and small change. a set
of gold studs. and pair Of gold cuff
buttons. He took other jewelry from
Mrs. Walkers room. but the most valu-
able article-the diamond star--ha lost |
in the scuffle with the cook.
Major Walker reported the robbery to |
the police and Detective Gibson was de- /
tailed 10 work 1t up. He arrested a |
tramp Sunday. who proved to be the /
wrong man. and was turned loose. The /
police are still at work, but no more ar
rests have been made.