The Washington times., 1902-07-14
ALLEGED ASSAILANT
OF MRS. EVA BCRMAN
Phil. Saunders Arrested at
Mountain Lake Park.
Said by Police to Have Been Positively
Identified as Man Who Commit
ted the Assault.

The mystery which for a month has
surrounded the identity Of the negro
who so brutally assaulted Mrs Eva
Eckman in her little store at 1104 f
Street northeast at s O'Clock on the
morning of June II has at last, it is be-
lieved, been cleared away, and Detective
Sergeant Baur Is now en- route to this
city from Mountain Lake Park, Mary
land. with Philip Saunders. a negro
who has been positively identified by a
negro named Bush as the man he chased
in the vicinity of the Eckman home q
short time after the assault had been
committed. Bush accompanied Detec-
tive Sergeant Baur to Mountain Lake
Park yesterday in order that he might
make the identification OF Saunders a
complete and sure one.
Saunders, the negro under arrest for
the crime. Is we'll known in local police
circles. According to the police, he has
been arrested on numerous occasions
He will be brought to this city and lodgs
ed in the District Jail. charged with as
sault with intent to kill Mrs. Eckman,
the victim of the assault, is now great
ly improved. She left the hospital some
days ago for her home.
Story of Assault.
The assault was one of the most bru-
tai that has occurred in this CITY
for years. Saunders. it is alleged, en-
tered Mrs. Eckman's little grocery store
shortly after 5 o'clock on the morning
of June II and asked for piece of pie.
His request was complied with by Mrs.
Eckman, and the negro then asked for
cup Of coffee. Mrs. Eckman replied
that she had none for sale, whereupon
Saunders, 1t Is alleged. informed the
cid lady that something was burning In
the back room. She turned around and
started to go into her kitchen. when the
negro struck her terrific blow over
the head with a gaspipe. Telling her to
the floor and cutting an ugly cash.
Although stunned by the blow. Mrs
Eckman managed to cry for help. and
this so frightened the negro that he
sprang out OF the door and ran rapidly
out Street. Another colored man.
named Bush. was passing the Eckman
house and was startled by hearing the
unfortunate wornan's cries. Upcn learn
ing the situation he at once gave pur-
suit, and chased Saunders for some dis
lance, he claims. but the former outran
him.
Started a Search.
The Ninth precinct police were noti-
entire reserve squad of that station
we're searching high and low for the fu-
gitive Detective Sergeants Muller and
Baur were also put on the case. but
they could not find trace Of a man fit
ting the description given by Mrs Eek
man and Bush.
The investigation dragged on wearily,
the alleys and courts In the northeast
section all being thoroughly searched
by the police, but without success. De-
tective Sergcants Muller and Baur con-
inued their Investigations
As a result, they several DAYS ago
brought Bush. the man who claimed to
have seen negro running from Mrs
Eckman's home on the morning of the
assault. 10 police headquarters. Upon
arriving there he was shown the entire
rogues gallery of the District, and
while looking over the pictures pointed
out P picture which he said was the
exact image OF the man he had seen. |
rhe picture proved to be that OF Philip |
'aunders. Several days were spent In |
ocating Saunders, and yesterday morn
ng Detective Muller received inrorma-
ion that he was at Mountain Lake |
Park. Detective Sergeant Baur went to |
he park and arrested Saunders there |
iesterday afternoon.