Evening star., 1901-12-17
BOLD ATTEMPT AT ASSAULT
YOUNG WOMAN ATTACKED IN
FRANKLIN PARK THIS MORNING,
Her Bravery and Presence of Mind
Saved Her - Police Looking
----.- for the Man,

An outrageous and bold attempt at as
sault was committed this morning upon a
young lady in Franklin Park and but for
the GOODNESS and nerve displayed by the
victim most brutal story would have to
be told In recording the occurrence.
Miss Mary Estep is employed in the linen
room of the Hamilton Hotel and her WORK
requires her to report at an early hour.
While going through the park this morn
ing at about $50 o'clock, when 1t was yet
dark. Miss Estep was accosted by man
OF middle height, wearing smoked glasses
and soft felt hat. The man first called
to her. but this only hastened the steps of
Miss Estep, without looking from what di-
rection the salutation came. Not to be
baked, the man crept up on Miss Estep,
approaching on the grass at the side of
the walk to deaden his footsteps and, with
out warning, struck her terrific blow
alongside the head which knocked her down.
At the same instant the man whipped out
Knife and remarked:
IF you make an outcry I'll kill you"
Miss Estep's Courage.
Without an instant's hesitation Miss
Estep summoned all her courage and
strength, grabbed the knife from the mans s
hands, threw it in the bushes and with the
same movement threw the man to one side
She then dashed across the grass plot sep
arating the park from K street, and al
most exhausted. reached the Hamilton in
safety.
Miss Estep reported the assault to the
proprietor of the Hamilton, and he in turn
notified the police. An alarm was quick
ly sent out from headquarters. and in a
short time man answering somewhat the
description given by Miss Estep was gath
cred in and taken to the first precinct sta
tion Miss Estep was notified and went
to the station house, but at once declared
the arrested person was not her assatl-
ant and he was released.
Miss Estep is a pretty modest Young
lady OF about twenty-one years, and in
conversation at the first precinct station
said:
Il have noticed this same man in Frank
lin Park several mornings past while going
to work, but this morning was the first
time that he attempted to hold conversa-
ton or retard my progress. 1 have been
brought up In the west and know how to
use revolver, and if l had had a pistol
with me the scoundrel would have had a
hard time getting away without paying the
penalty of his cowardly attack
When she confronted the man arrested
on suspicion Miss Estep said: THAT is not
the man. l can pick my assailant out
among thousand
Working on the Case
The police are diligently at work upon
the case, and from the close description fur
nished by Miss Estep, believe they can
locate the man. Lieutenant .Amiss made
the request that the description OF her as
sailant given by Miss Estep be kept out OF
print, as 1t may give him warning enough
to change his appearance and keep out Of
reach.
Miss Estep resides on E street northwest
between 10th and 11th streets. She left her
home shortly after 6 o'clock this morning
to go to the Hamilton, walking north on
18th street until she reached Franklin Park.
Then she entered the park in order to make
short cut across the square to the hotel.
The scene of the assault is within
square and a half Of the house wherein
Mrs. Dennis, the dressmaker, was so mur-
derously attacked a few days ago, and the
coincidence is 30 remarkable that 1t has
added additional interest to the now cele-
brated case.