The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-14

\ murdCrUus assault and highway
robbery was committed upun two men
about $50 O'Clock last evening on the
Linden street bridge by q gang Of coll
ored toughs. Four of the latter were
placed under arrest, but one Of them
broke away from the officer holding
him and escaped after a hot pursuit
Joseph Cross, of AIS Wright's court
formerly chef OF Company B. Thir-
teenth regiment and his son. Joseph
Cross, jr., were the Victims. They
were crossing the bridge just as dark
ness was setting in. The young man
was riding his bicycle slowly along
the roadway and his father was walk
ing on the sidewalk talking to him. The
bridge was deserted. except for party
OF colored men, who were coming in
the opposite direction.
When the latter reached Cross and
his son, according to the lattcr's story,
they sprang at them without warming
Two had scaled the iron railing sep
aratinG the two parts of the bridge.
and these knocked young Cross off his
wheel The father in the meantime
was taken i'm hand by the rest of the
party and felled to the ground
DESPERATE RESISTANCE.
lie made a desperate resistance, but
was kicked repeatedly on the head and
face by the assailauts, rendering him
unconscious. The follows went through
their clothes and took SO from the
young man and SO or 81 from the faith
cr. After ndulging in few minor vi
cious kicks they took their departure
running towards the central city.
Two men had come up by this time
and they followed them to 800 Ray
mond court. The men then started
for Penn avenue, where they found
Patrolman steve Dyer on duty. He
accompanied them, and, meeting Pa
trolman Potter. who was off duty. at
the corner of Penn avenue and Linden
street, took him with him.
They went direct to the scene Of the
| assault, whore they found Patrolman
Saul, who had arrived from West
| Scranton. The two injured men had by
this time been assisted home. The
! three officers, accompanied by several
citizens and the men who had fol-
lowed the gang. went direct to 800 Ray
mOnd court where the crowd was found
| sitting outside.
There were five altogether and Off
GERS Dyer and Saul each gra bbed one
and Officer Potter two. The men fought
savagely, and the fifth man was lost
in the shuttle" start was made for
the Centre street station house officer
Dyer and prisoner ahead, with Officer
Potter and his two charges following
: and officer Saul bringing up the rear.
FOUGHT WITH OFFICERS.
When the corner of Penn avenue and
Linden street was reached. the wife of
Smith. one of the two held by Patrol
/ man Potter, rushed out. threw her
arms around his neck and urged him
to escape. Instantly taking the advice.
ne jcrked forward, the other man hold
ing back He finally broke loose and
ran at fun speed down Penn avenue.
Potter turned his other prisoner over
to Saul ana started i'm pursuit. accom-
panied by two or three citizens When
| tn" Penn Avenue Baptist church was
reached Smith ran around the lower
side with Potter and one of the men
close at his heels. The latter drew his
revolver and fired one shot, but it evil
IDENTIFY did not take effect, as it did not
impede the fugitive.
lie squirmed through a pile of boxes
in the rear and before it was realized
by Potter or any one else Re had run
out the other side of the lot and up
Penn avenue. He was followed and
was Seen to turn up Mulberry street,
but he apparently vanished into thin
air. 1t this point as all sight If him
| was lost
The other prisoners We're safely
lodged in the Center street station
WE'LL KNOWN CHARACTER.
Smiths first name is Samuel and he
/ is well known character i'm police cir
/ Clcs. He was arrested last winter on
| a charge of highway robbery. hut was
| discharged. The others are also well
| known to the police by sight. Two of
| them are Kid Williams and john Sea-
mans.
/ DR.. L. II. Gibbs. of West Scranton,
was summoned 10 attend the elder
| Cross. There was a large cut on the