Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-03
AT CLOSE RANGE.
SomerviIle Man Has Close Call
from Burglars Shot.
Bullet Whizzed by Ear and Burglar
Thought He Was Dead.
Then Made His Escape and Cohen
CongratuIates Himself.

Boston. Feb. "A burglar made des-
rerate by discovery attempted to kill
Joseph Cohen. a well-known business
man of Boston, at his residence. 1913
Sycamore street, Somerviile, at yes
tcrday morning. He discharged one
shot from revolver at Mr.. Cohen, and
undoubtedly would have fired again if
he had not supposed that his intended
victim had been subdued by the shot
MI. Cohen says that the burglar was
masked and beyond a general descrip-
ton can give no detailed information
about his assailant. The burglar made
his escape, taking with him money and
valuablcs.
MIR. Cohen has been engaged in the
wholesale and retail clothing business
in Boston for many years and at pres
ent is proprietor of a clothing store on
Hanover street.
His residence in Somerville is hand
some house on Sycamore street, Winter
Hill. The family comprises wife and
three sons. the eldest of whom is II.
The second floor of the house is used
for sleeping rooms. Mr.. Cohen was
first awakened about Las by slight
noise. which he supposed came from
the ground floor. Mr.. Cohen listened a
moment and then called out the name
of one of his sons. His wife was I'M
disturbed. Mr.. Cohen supposed that
one of his sons had been taken ill in
the night and had gone down stairs.
No response came to Mr.. Cohen's ca /.
He was but half awake at the moment
nr moi mo- h0
thought, he turned over and fell asleep.
Hardly half an hour had elapsed
when Mr.. Cohen awoke with a start.
He sat UP in bed, to find a tall ma n
standing over him. Mr. Cohen says
that he had on an overcoat and a hat,
the rim of which held in a place piece
of black cloth. The mask was pierced
at the eyes.
The intruder held leveled revolver
Mr.. Cohen. in startled manner, in
CURED what was wanted.
You remain there in bed. You keep
your mouth closed or I will blow out
your brains. I'm looking for. money"
Mrs. Cohen was awakened by this
dialogue, and upon seeing the strange
man in the room at the bedside with a
teNcicu IcNOlNcT, SHE UecdINc nySteT1CC /.
Her condition impelled Mr.. Cohen to
attempt to spring out of bed with the
intention in mind Of graphing with the
burglar. ---
AS he raised himself he called for aid
The burglar reiterated few steps ard
fired. The bullet whizzed by Mr.. CO.
hens head and imbedded itself, as was
later, in the wall beneath
window.
The loud report and the flash stunned
Mr.. Cohen and he fell back. He thinks
that his life was thereby saved. He is
Of the belief that if he had sprang out
into the center of the room and had
attempted to close in on the burglar.
the latter would have fired his pistol
again.
After he had gone, Mr.. Cohen and his
sons made tour of the house and
found that the lower portion had been
thoroughly ransacked. The burglar
succeeded in getting away with Mr.
COhen's gold watch, his trousers and
vest and S. in Decent pieces, which
were in roll. In the vest was a note
for $500 made payable to Cohen Bros,
and signed by A. Siedman.
Mr.. Cohen is reputed to be well-to-do
md the burglar undoubtedly expected
20 secure a large amount of money by
taking away the clothing.