The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-28
Mrs. Ida Ellsworth Attacked by Man
Who Had BIackened His Face
and Hands.
ATTEMPTED TO USE POISON
TRACES OF A WHITE POWDER
FOUND ON WOMAN's LIPS.
Efforts of Police to Find Mysterious
Assailant UnavaiIing-Story
Told by the Woman.

Irvington was thrown into excitement
early yesterday morning when 1t was
learned that an attempt had been made to
assault Mrs. Ida Ellsworth, a domestic
employed by George A Clifford. who lives
at so South Ritter avenue. In addition, an
effort was made by the assailant to force
poison down the throat of Mrs. Ellsworth.
Much mystery surrounds the affair and
efforts are being made by the police and
detective department to ascertain the
identity of the man who committed the
deed.
Mrs. Ellsworth was severely beaten on
the head and suffered 10 such an extent
that she is in a serious condition. The as
sailant went about his work with great
precaution. From statements made by
Mrs. Clifford, it appears that the man was
white man blackened on the hands and
face to make il appear that ii was a negro
who was committing the act. The palms
of his hands were not blackened and that
gave him away.
| Screams were heard by Mr.. Clifford about
o'clock, while he was dressing. He ran
| to the woodshed in the rear of his house
and found the door barred. He broke it
| open and found Mrs. Ellsworth lying on
| the floor, her haid disheveled and clothing
| disarranged. She was bleeding from a
/ cash on the top of the head. Near by were
| the remains of broken bottle that is sup
| posed to have contained the poison that
| was used by the assailant. On Mrs. Tits
worth's lips were small particles of white
| powder.
GRABBED HER ARM
/ 1t was learned that Mrs. Ellsworth had
| gone TO the woodshed for kindling. When
she started to return to the house she
was confronted by a man who stepped out
! from behind the partition. The man car
ried a stick of stove wood. He grabbed
Mrs. Ellsworth by the and raised the
wood, saying at the same time "Shut up
or I'll kill you" Mrs. Ellsworth dropped
the wood and started to struggle with the
man, but a blow from him knocked her
| to the floor She was not stunned and
again attempted to defend herself While
| she was struggling on the floor of the shed
the man tried to force powder down her
! throat.
When Mr.. Clifford got to the shed he
| found the rear door standing open. The
man was gone and it is thought that he
| force his way through the front door.
| Tracks in the soft mud leading west from
the door down the alley indicated the di-
rection taken by the woman's assaillant.
| Mr.. Clifford took Mrs. Ellsworth into the
house and called DR.. T. L. Thompson. The
physician used stomach pump and Mrs
had happened. DR.. Thompson examined
the white powder that yet remained in
the broken particles of the bottle and he
is of opinion that the stuff was creosote
A strong odor of the chemical was de-
tected.
ACCUSES HER HUSBAND.
When Mrs. Ellsworth was. attended to
Mr.. Clifford telephoned to the police sta.
ton. Captain Kruger, Sergeant Schwat
and Bicycle Policemen Duncan and Askins
hurried to the place. They searched the
neighborhood, but could learn little Mrs
Ellsworth said she suspected her husband
from whom she is separated. as being re-
sponsible for the assault. She said she
and her husband separated last July Will,
they were living at Peoga, Brown county
After leaving her husband she came Il
this city and secured employment in tn,
home of Mr.. Clifford. She said her hus
band had threatened her life several time.
and for this reason she thinks that he Il
guilty of the attempt yesterday morning
She said she had always tried to keep he
| address unknown to her husband. but on
| day last week she received a letter from
her sister telling her that Ellsworth hat
learned of her residence and for her t
beware of him.
The woman said the height of the ma,
she saw yesterday morning in the she,
tailed with that of her husband, and from
other appearances that she could note IL
the short time, she was of opinion tina
the her husband.
Captain Kruger and Sergeant Schwab de
voted almost the entire day TO workin,
on the case. but were unable to find an,
trace of Mrs. Titsworths assailant beyon
the tracks left in the alley in the rear O
the Clifford home.