Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-08-18
SAVES HER DAUGHTER
Negro Who Enters Beckwith
Home Bafiled in His Fiend.
ish Purpose.
Mothers Prompt Action Saves
Daughter From a Terrible
Attack.
Springs on Ruffian, Who Tears
Away and Makes Good His
Escape.

| A bold attempt at outrage was made
No. . East Church street, at an early
hour Sunday morning. \ man, sup
posed to be an negro, gained admit
lance to her room and had seized her
by her thoat when she awoke and
screamed for her mother. Mrs. Beck
with aroused by the shrieks of her
daughter sprang on the intruder. but
she was unable to hold him and he tore
from her grasp and made his escape.
Mrs. Beckwith and her daughter live
alone in the residence just west of the
First Baptist church. Saturday even
ing Miss Beckwith had been up town
and did not arrive home until after her
mother had retired. ON reaching the
house she placed her pocket book
containing several dollars. on a table
near the west window of the house,
and retired to her room which is also
occupied by her mother. Upon going
to bed she left the lamp burning on the
stand near where she had placed her
Sunday morning. being awakened by
the storm She arose to Il sitting posture
in bed, in order that she might lower
the window thru which the rain was
driving. She then lay down and WAS
soon fast asleep. She had probably
slept for a very few minutes when She
was awakened by the pressure of cold
wet fingers against her thoat. Thor
oughly aroused and Mortified by the
touch of the rough hand she screamed
for her mother, who was sleeping near.
Mrs. Beckwith, aroused from her sleep
so suddenly, could not at once compre-
bend the situation, and it was not UNI
til the agonizing screams of her
daughter We're repeated that she
realized that perhaps both
herself and daughter We're in immedi
ate danger. She sprang from her bed.
and as she did so she saw, by the dim
light of the street lamp that sifted thru
the half closed shutters, the bulk of Il
dark form crouched at the foot of her
daughters bed. Without a moments
hesitation, or thinking of the proba-
BILE cost, she sprang upon the man and
caught him by the shoulders, screaming
in the meantime for her daughter to
hand her a pistol that was concealed in
the room. Before this could be ac-
the ruffian tore from her
grasp, sprang thru the open door rush
ed across the adjoining room and leap
ed out of the window by which he had !
gained admi'tance and was gone into |
the night.
Both the ladies were so thoroughly |
overcome by the shock that it was some
time before they We're sufficiently calm |
ed to think of calling the police. Mrs |
Reckwith when seen Sunday morning |
said she was confident it was a negro,
altho the light was so very dim that she
could not make out his figure. He had |
gained admission to the house thru a |
vest window by prying open the shut
.ers. He had then carefully removed |
he potted plants that stood on the |
window sill and had placed them on the
groud outside. On entering he blew
put the lamp that was just inside the
then crossed the room and |
stood leaning against the wall close TO |
he door, He was probably standing
here at the time Miss Beckwith arose
% close the window, for the paper on
he wall showed plainly the marks of
lis water soaked coat. Mrs. Beckwith
said that he evidently had been out in
he rain for some time as his clothing,
where she clutehed him, was soaking
vet. That his purpose was other than
'obbery is clearly shown, for he could
lot but have seen the pocket book ly.
ng on the table when he eNtinguished
IN Npj IL.
Tor some jewellery that was lying on
he table was disturbed. Mrs. Beck
With does not think she would be able
o recognize him us the room was all
most totally dark at the time. The
police have made every effort to To-
ate the man, but as the description
given is so meager, it is next to a hope
ess task.