New-York tribune., 1902-05-25
E. R. THOMAS MOBBED.
HIS WIFE KNOCKED SENSELESS IN
AUTOMOBILE.
GANG OF A HUNDRED RUFFIANS STOPS
VEHICLE AND RAINS MISSILES
ON ITS OCCUPANTS.

Edward r. Thomas. who president of the
Seventh National Bank at the time of its fail
ure, and who is the son of General Samuel
Thomas. was riding through East Forty-sev-
enth-st last evening in his red automobile with
his wife his brother -in-law Mr.. Otter. and
chauffeur when the party was attacked by
mob of hundred hoodlums between Second
and Third aves. and severely dealt with. Tin
cans, boilers pals. stones and sticks were hurled
at the occupants of the vehicle while the boys
yelled themselves hoarse as they surrounded the
vehicle. which had been brought TO a stop by
boiler thrown between the wheels
It was this automobile, known the White
Ghost, when William K. Vanderbilt, jr, from
whom Mr. Thomas purchased 1t. owned It, which
down and killed Henry Thies. boy.
Gently while Mr.. Thomas and a party Of friends
were riding in it, On last Thursday jury
brought in a verdict for S3125 against Mr..
Thomas the boys father having sued him for
damages.
Mrs. Thomas was struck in the head with the
lid of boiler and rendered unconscious. Even
then. however the gang did not desist, but
kept up the fusillade and showered the party
with everything they could lay their hands on.
After some time had elapsed. when the chauf-
feur managed to extricate the boiler from the
wheels of the automobile Mr.. Thomas and his
companions were able to escape from the mob.
Mrs. Thomas bleeding profusely from cut
on the back of her head. and after a policeman
arrived on the scene and drove the young riot
ers away. she was driven to her home No. II
West Fifty-seventh-st where her injury was
attended to by the family physician.
The trouble started when the machine was go
ing west In Forty-fourth-st. between Second and
Third aves When it in the middle of the
block a boy named James Pollock. thirteen years
old Of No. 2OS East Forty -fourth-st.. the police
say, rushed into the street and hurled tin
at the vehicle it sped past. The missile struck
the chauffeur on the head. At that moment a
gang Of Polock's companions came up and
Joined him in the attack The lads gathered
everything movable and peted the occupants
OF the automobile as IL proceeded up the street.
Suddenly one OF the boys threw a large boiler
under the wheels 1t lodged between them and
the motor box and brought the vehicle TO sud-
den stop. throwing the occupants forward When
the hoodums that something had happened
to the machine they crowded around it and re-
newed their attack with more vigor. Mr..
Thomas called to the lads TO desist but his voice
was drowned by jeers and cries. and they kept
up the fuslade. Several hundred persons had
been attracted to the scene. and they watched
the disgraceful exhibition. not lifting hand
to stop II until Mrs. Thomas uttered a scream
as she was struck the head with the boiler
i'd Eber of men made half hearted at
tempt TO rout the hoodluns. but in such a lacka-
daisical manner that the roughs paid no atten-
ton to them. and kept UP the attack
Mr. Thomas. Mr. Otter and the chauffeur tried
in vain 10 shield Mrs. Thomas from the rain OF
sticks and stones which descended on them with
such rapidity. hut il was soon seen that il
would be Impossible 10 remain in the automo-
bile and escape probably serious injury.
Amid a shower of stones the chauffeur Jumped
nd wi he ar-aS cfr. r.t.cl-- rna
head and body repeatedly. ne managed, after
extreme difficulty, 20 dtslodge the boiler from
between the wheels. Then. mounting his seat.
he turned the lover on and the machine shot
forward toward Thrd-ave
The crowd Of boys followed II. however and
kept up the shower Of debris and stones. They
when Policeman McLane of the East Fifty
frst-st. station. appeared. He charged the mob
and drove them right and LETT but many of them
appeared defiant, and, lodging from one side
OF the street 10 the other, they threw what
missiles they had left at him.
Mr.. Thomas pointed out Pollock as the insti-
gator of the trouble. and McLane ran after the
lad. He into the hallway OF the house at
No. 204 West Forty -fourth-st.. dashed through
into the yard and attempted to mount fence
and escape McLane was just about to grab the
youngster when the lad fell from the fence and
broke HIS right ankle
The policeman carried him 10 the street and
an ambulance was called from Flower Hospital.
DR.. Forbes responded and removed the lad TO
the hospital prisoner. Mr. Thomas. after
identifying the lad as the one who caused the
trouble, went to the East Fifty -first-St sta
tion and lodged a complaint against him
Mrs, Thomas who was lying unconscious in
the automobile was driven rapidly to her home.
and the family physician hurriedly called He
found her suffering from a severe scalp wound
and shock. Although information concerning
the attack was refused at the home of Mr..
Thomas. il was admitted that Mrs. Thomas
was in such condition that she was confined
10 her bed