The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-21
WAS ONCE HIS WIFE
Tom Diffenderfer Cruelty In
lures DefenseIess Woman.
THOUGHT SHE WAS DEAD
Resists Officers, But Is Cap
tured After Exciting Race.

Yesterday afternoon Tom Difenderfer
broke down the door of the room Of his
former wife, over $50 North Main street,
and entering the apartments in rage
dealt the fraiI woman a terrible DOW De
hind the right ear, knocking her the elllile
length of the room. He then kicked hef
in the side. the result of which cannot
lust vet be determined, but may turn out
seriously The little daughter, almost
frightened to death, attempted to run
for policeman and Diffenderter kicked
her before she could get out Of MS reach
inhicting q very painful brulse on the
child's leg Women who occupy the ad-
Joining rooms ran to the injured woman
rescue and Gifted her to bed She was
unconscious from the first blow dealt by
fbe fiendish man It was several minutes
before consciousness returned. Then she
tried 10 speak. but fell back in a faint,
and a deathIy palor rested over her fea-
lures until the women thought she was
beyond human aid.
Tom Diffenderfer, after committing the
cowardy assault on the woman VINO
was once his wife hurriedly left the room
before the little girl could secure aid
Policeman AIcAiiren, who had been mott
fled of the trouble by the little girl, sent
a man to the rear Of the building to pre-
vent Difanderfer's escape. ", lille he went
I'D the front stairway but as the police
man approached the stairway Offender
fer made a break for the back stairway
and succeeded IN brushing by the side Of
the man sent to prevent his getting away,
knocking the gentleman down as he went
Professor Breas, who operates the large
telescope on the streets Of evenings, was
also knocked down by the fugitive. The
chase was from that time on very lively
one. BIcMfTen ran Difenderfer through
the alley to Third street. thence TO Mar
ket street, where the officer was forced
to give up the chase for the want of
breath However. he came very near
getting Difenderfer at one time. Then a.
gentleman happened along with buggy
and the officer jumped in and the chase
was renewed up Market thence east on
Central to I.aHrence avenue. thence north
to Elm. thence east to Emporia, thence
north to Pine The officer was getting
pretty close onto the heels of the fugi-
tive when the latter broke through
yard and again stopped the progress of
the officer and team. He was next seen
crossing the Frisco "Y." BY this time
the exciting chase had attracted hun
dreds of people. who followed the officer
afoot, on bicycles and in carriages. The
officer and crowd then proceeded east on
Pine street until they had outwinded
Diffenderfer and he was overtaken near
the corner Of Cleveland and Pine but he
was still unwilling to be taken and gave
Mr.. McMillen a great deal of trouble. He
resisted viciously and managed to get
hold Of the officers finger with his teeth.
bringing blood. He was finally overDow
cred, however, after which Policeman
Moore, who had heard of the chase.
came up and together they were able TO
hold the prisoner untn the patrol wagon
was sent for On the way to the notice
station Diffenderfer attempted to assault
Officer McMillen twice, but was prevent
cd by Moore. At one time Mr.. McNIflen's |
well balanced demeanor gave way to his
temper and he dealt Difenderfer a we'll /
merited blow with his club which acted /
as an aenesthetic until the prisoner could
be landed in the city JAN
Mrs. Diffenderfer was able to SIT IN /
when a reporter for the Eagle called to /
see her last night. Her eyes were swollen 4
and burned with tears, but she was try
Ing to work at sewing, as she is a very |
hard working woman. She told the fol- |
lowing pitifu, story.
While it is true that 7 am divorced I
from Diffenderfer. have been compelled
10 either accept what support he could
give me and his children or apply to the |
city for aid during The past winter. as |
have been ii with grip. and until week
ago almost unable to dress myself. He !
said he would board with US and help
ciothe the children, and have let him
DO 50. with the result of this terrible
treatment of while ago. Today he pre-
tended 10 be drunk. but know he was
not. He has been trying to raise dis
trrbance all day, Before he struck me he