The Topeka state journal., 1902-02-12
Arrested by Police at the Rock
Island RoundhOuse.
MOST BRUTAL ATTACK.
Mr.. Greif Pounded Cruelty Over
the Head and Face.
Fought ManfuIIy Against Odds
Till Help Came.
Now in a Serious Condition as
the Result of Wounds.

John Greif, a cigar maker and toDac-
conist, and an old and respected cltlzeh'
was assaulted last night and seriously
injured by a thug, who struck hlm sew
eral times on the head and face with
some weapon. The man is supposed to
be under arrest
Mr. Greif lives at All Polk street, and
leaves his store on Kansas avenue late
each night. and goes to his home on a
West Fourth street car. Last night ne
was later than usual, and caught the
last car, which arrives at Polk street at
HOS. The rails were slippery, and the
car failed to stop on the crossing, and
slid about ten feet when Mr.. Grief
Rlighted. He had just turned back to
>he sidewalk, and the car was not half
q. block distant. when he was struck
from the rear and a long cash cut in
his scalp. He turned on his assailant,
and a struggle ensued.
The foodpad savagely struck him re-
peatedly in the face. and being the
younger and more active man forced
MD Greif backward across the side
walk and against the side of the corner
building, the residence of DR.. Henry
Iserman, 401 Polk street.
Mr.. Greif was almost helpless from
the reDea ted blows and the eXertion,
and shouted for help. A colored man
named William Harris heard his cries
and ran to his assistaIce, upon which
the highwayman ran north toward the
Rock Island tracks
Harris assisted Mr.. Greif to his home,
only a few doors away.
DR.. C. j. Mulvane was called to at
tend him. He found the victim suffer-
ing from several severe cuts about the
face and head, which, owing to his age
and physical condition, are regarded as
very serious. One wound in the back
nj the head F6q1lirP6 several stitches
close and his face is disfigured by d
frightful cash below the eye. 1t was
supposed that brass knuckles were the
weapon used, by reason of the nature
of the wounds and the short range at
which the blows were struck, but evil
IDENTIFY this is a mistake.
When the police were notified of the
assault all the available men We're at
once sent to the scene, and the district
was thoroughly searched. Officers Raub
and Wilcox went to the Rock Island
rOundhouse and arrested a man who
was sleeping there The railroad men
said that the man had left the building
and was gone for some time about that
time of night, and the officers suspect
ed that he might be the guilty party. A
search of his person discovered a large
lump of petrified wood, weighing about
two pounds, which he said was a eurio
which he was taking home to Lawrence.
The officers say that this was wet when
they found it, and an examination this
morning disclosed a dark stain reSem-
bling blood on the stone.
The tramp gave his name as J. r
King and denied any part in the at
tempted hold-up. Henry billiard, bailiff
OF the United States court, saw a man
running north from the locality about
that time. and when he called at the
police station this morning he stated
that the prisoner fitted the description
as nearly as he could make out, and
was clothed like the man he saw run
ming. King also fits the description as
given by Mr.. Greif. who described his
assailant as man about his own height
and size, but much younger, and more
active.
Chief Donovan is confident he has the
right man and will continue his inves-
LEGATIONS. The scene of the encounter
proves that Mr.. Greif did not submit
tamely, but made a remarkable fight
for a man of his years. The course of
the conflict is N arked by blood, as IN
the similar case on West Sixth avenue.
when Frank Squires 1aade a fight and
finally prevailed over two assailants.
Dr. Mulvane called at the police sta
tion at noon today and took the sup
posed weapon away with him. He will
examine It to see if the stains are
human blood.
Mr.. Greif is unable to leave his bed,
and serious results are feared by his
physicians.