The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1904-04-07
Mrs. Joe. Kelly Of 2402 East Third Street, Bound
: Gagged and Clicked Nearly to Death by Thug who
Then Ransacked Her Home---He Failed to Find the
$3.50 Which She Had Hidden in the House.

Bound, gagged and choked nearly
70 death was the brutal treatment
which Mrs. Joe Kelly. who lives at
E2402 Third avenue, suffered this
morning at the hands of masked
man, who visited her home shortly
after 8 o'clock for the purpose of
robbing her. The attempt at robbery
was one of the most sensational
which ever occurred in the city and
the victim, bride of only a few
months, narrowly escaped with her
life
The robber, who was dressed as a
laborer, came to the house on a BIZ
cycle and left in the same manner.
He had evidently been watching the
house since early in the morning, as
he did not attempt to enter it until
after Mrs. Kellys husband had gone
to his work and her mother Mrs.
William Smith, had gone out on an
errand.
Before her mother was fairly out
of sight Mrs. Kelly. who was washing
the breakfast dishes, heard a knock
on the kitchen door. Thinking that
1t was one of the neighbors who had
run over. she opened II at once and
was confronted by big, rough-look-
ing man with white handkerchief
around the lower part Of his face.
II uttered q startled oh" said
she this morning, and was just about
to scream for help, meanwhile in
stinctively trying to snatch the mask
from the mans face. when he stepped
inside the door and grabbed me by
the hair. He then threw his arms
about me and held me so that my
head fell backward on his shoulder
Quick az a fash he dexterously tied
my hands to my body with a piece Of
stout rope and then. grabbing a large
white rag. stuffed II down my throat
until l could not make a sound"
AS she was binding her she tried
to call for help. but he choked her
brutally, then threw her on the floor,
where she lay gasping for breath.
The Kellys had intended moving in
day or SO and a great many Of the
personal effects OF the family were
packed in trunks, which were stand
ing in the kitchen and some Of the
other rooms. The robber first ran
sacked every drawer In the machine,
then he went through the trunks and
bureau drawers. He tossed several
articles OF small value aside and
seemed to be looking for nothing but
money. His search occupied about
1t minutes.
Assault Was Truitlsss.
During all the time he never said
a word. but seemed disguised at find
ing no money. Without casting an
other look at his victim he left by
the front door.
After he had gone Mrs. Kelly crawl
ed to the kitchen door for air. When
she had recovered SO that she was
able to stand she ran across the
street to tho home Of her neighbor,
Mrs. William Lind, and, with her
hands still bound and the rags still
in her mouth, she fell fainting on
her neighbours porch. When she was
taken inside the house 1t was at least
half an hour before she could tell
her story. When the rags were taken
from her throat by Mrs. Lind she
vomited several times. Heavy finger
marks were on her throat and her
wrists were cut by the ropes with
which they had been bound.
When she was able to be left alone
Mrs Lind and Mrs. Smith, who had
returned from her errand, went into
the house and found everything turn
ed topsy turvy Two hundred and
thirty dollars in gold, which Mrs,
Kelly had hidden behind some books
In the book case in back bedroom.
had not been discovered by the rob-
Der. No jewelry was missing.
II am sure that the man knew
had money In the house." Mrs. Kelly
said this morning, because he SEEM
ed to be looking for that and nothing
else. / drew the money out of the
bank Monday In order to make pay
meRt on property which my husband
and myself are buying. When
drew the money out several men were
standing in the bank and saw me dc
II. I believe that I was followed to
my home and that since then the man
has been watching around to find q
good opportunity to steal IT,"
Two small boys in the neighbor.
hood say that they saw a laborinl
man standing on the corner watching
Mrs. Kelly's house n little after
o'clock. but they can give no descrip,
lion of him, as they paid no particu.
lar attention to him at the time.
Joe Kelly IL employed as a driver n,
the Cold Storage meat market. II,
and his wife have lived In Spokan,
Tor some time and are well known.
The police are working on the case
which was reported by Mrs. Lind 9
few minutes after Mrs. Kelly reached
her house. AS yet the detectives
have not the slightest clue as to tn,
Identity Of the thug.
IL was SO badly frightened ant
suffering so intensely from the pail
In my throat that I did not think L
Try to get a good look ut his face
know that he wore a black sioucl
hat, which he kept on NIL the time
He wore heavy, muddy boots an,
blue denim overalls and long blacl
bvercoat. He was very dirty. Ill