The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-09

/ iToNldenee journal, had thrilling eX-
perinece last night, and one which
nearly resulted in his death Mr.. Mar
tin and Miss McNear of Boston had
been the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Wal
ter +. Angel at a box party at Keith's
theatre, taking in the last performance
for the day. which detained them at
the theatre until 1O:3O o'clock.
Miss McNear is stopping with Or. Il.
III. Harris. who occupies the old Eddy
estate. The latter Is just off Broad
way, and'is approached by the high
way known as Bell street. The for
mer owner OF the property lavishly set
out shrubs and trees. and this made
the spacious grounds almost like a Jun
gle, ana particularly inviting place
Tor burglars TO work in, as the cleo
tric street lights are too far from the
gateway TO permit even a ray To shine
upon any portion OF the premises.
Mr. Martin accompanied Miss Nc
Near 10 her home, and after alighting
from the street car, and as they were
approaching the high gateway. Miss
McNear noticed that bright light was
burning I'm the lower hallway and i'm
the large parlor. This was unusual. FOR
Or. Harris, upon retiring, Invariably
shut off all lights The nearer they
was she that something was wrong.
and finally she whispered 10 Mr.. Martin
that she felt uneasy about the lights
He suggested burglars, but did so i'm n
Jocular way The driveway was COW
cred with n light fall of snow. which
had completely mufiled their footsteps.
and they made no noise as they entered
the hallway, Miss McNear using a
latchkey.
She bade Mr.. Martin Good night"
and he started for the gateway, but he
had not proceeded many steps before
he heard Miss McNear screaming, and
he ran rapidly back toward the house
Miss McNear did not notice anything
out of place until she reached the grand
stairway, which is i'm the centre of the
hallway, and runs NJ right angles with
IT. 80 that any person above the second
step would be hidden from view by the
walls. When she was on a line with
the stairway. three men jumped from
the third step on which they had been
crouchlng one OF these she saw was
masked; as 10 the other two she cannot
say
Her first inspiration was 10 rush up
stairs and alarm DIR. Harris. The
burglars OWNED her purpose and
blocked her way. Then she screamed
DIR Harris, DR.. Harris, There are
fans pounced upon her and attempted
10 kill her. The fellow who was masked
struck her repeatedly over the head
with a short club. which. from the de-
scription she gives Of il, must have
been blackjack. Every blow. and
there We're many of them. was delivered ,
on the crown of the head. but as she |
wore large picture hat, with pro- |
fusion OF feathers and ribbon trim |,
hings, and as her coiffure was such /
that IL brought most OF the hair direct |
" where the blows were delivered the |
double cushion saved her from being |
killed
DR.. Harris. alarmed by Miss Me-
Near's cries, jumped from his bed. /
springing 10 his window, fired several
shots from his revolver 10 attract the
attention OF the police This was sufli-
'ient warning TO the burglars who
Jumped for the front door, and as they
'prang out they were met by Mr.. Mar
in, who. as before related. had turned
pack TO ascertain the cause of Miss
ucNear's first scream.
Mr.. Martin pluckily attempted to
lose i'm with the burglars. but they
brushed him aside and ran for the gate.
le I'm fun pursuit Seeing that he could
rot be shaken Off they turned and fired
lpon him at least ten times. Three of
he bullets hit him One tore a piece OF
leSn out OF the palm OF MS right mana. |
ne penetrated his right leg just below
he calf, the third struck him on the
light side, almost on the groin, but the
missile was detected so that only a
light flesh wound was received.
Despite his wounds, Mr.. Martin en-
eavored to follow the burglars out To
Broadway that he might get a good
pok at them under the electric light.
ut they were too fleet-footed for him,
nd We're soon lost TO sight. The burg
lrs went on the dead run through To-
ey and Meader streets, and at the |
orner OF these two thoroughfares they
ncountered William Fuller. They had
evolvers I'm their hands. and shouted |
Hands upl" Fuller was evidently !
listaken for a policeman. He respond
d, not comprehending what he was up
ganst: "How's that?"
Put your d. hands up quick" {
lie did SO, but before he swung his
rms into the air his coat was ripped
pen at the shoulder and he stepped {
ne side TO let the armed burglars have ]
leader street. ]
Mr.. Martin. who had by this time be- {
un To suffer from his wounds, was 7
lkon into the office OF Fuller's stable. 5
nd telephone messages were sent 10 s
IL ponce ana 10 Df. GefNalS. Sergt.
lorse. who was I'm charge OF the sixth c
olice station az the time. Immediately )
tarted for the scene with the patrol
agon, and picked up patrolmen on the I
ay To Tobey street. The doctor soon q
rrived and II was found that the first c
hot, which struck Mr. Martins right /
and, has produced only an abrasion of
ne skin. The second one grazed the
ght groin. but did not penetrate. The
lird bullet was quite easily extracted
'om where IL lodged i'm the leg. This ,
as done at the Whitmarsh hospital on
lckson street whittier Mr.. Martin was
,ken, and he is resting quite comfort
bly, today.
The police found. ON investigating the 4
,se. that there was no doubt that the :.
lieves were amateurs. for they had
orked I'm very bunglinE manner =
lving gained an entrance through a i
indow In the dining room. They Sc y
lred no booty, except two winter over v
lats which were In the lower hall. | G
iss McNears absence from the house h
al not been counted upon. and the v
lrglars had. after forcing the window. q
~ got TO work on general search
the house. beginning AT the parlor. q