The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-28
ACCUSES HER HUSBAND
WOMAN ASSAULTED IN IRvINGToN
SAYS HE Is GUILTY.
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
AssaiIant Unayailing-StOry
Told by the Woman.

Irvington was thrown into excitement
early yesterday morning when ii was
learned that an attempt had been made 20
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 to such 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
a white man blackened on the hands and
face to make it appear that it 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
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 We're 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
confronted by a who stepped out
from behind the partition. The man car
ried a stick of stove wood. He grabbed
Mrs. Ellsworth by the arm 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 a 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
left when he heard Mr.. Clifford trying to
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 womans assailant.
Mr.. Clifford took Mrs. Ellsworth into the
house and called DR.. T. l.. Thompson. The
Ellsworth revived sufficiently to tell what
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
I 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 while
| they were living at Peoga, Brown county
| After leaving her husband she came Il
/ this city and secured employment i'm the
| band had threatened her life several time:
| and for this reason she thinks that he 1:
/ guilty of the attempt yesterday morning
/ She said she had always tried to keep hel
address unknown to her husband, but on,
| day last week she received a letter from
| her sister telling her that Ellsworth haC
| learned of her residence and for her Il
beware or him.
/ The woman said the height of the mar
| she saw yesterday morning in the sheC
| tailed with that of her husband, and from
| other appearances that she could note IL
/ the short time. she was of opinion tina
/ the man was 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 beyonC
the tracks left in the alley in the rear o
the Clifford home.