The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-03-02
MAN BEHIND DOOR
STRUCK WOMAN
AS SHE ENTERED HER HOME.
MRS. MATILDA C. VERNON WAS AS
sAULTED WITH AK HANDLE.

From Behind Front Door Man
Mrs. VernOn-POIice Believe That
AssaiIant Was Waiting for Her tn
Return HOme-NegrO Who Had
Been Employed at the House Dur
ing the Day Is Under Arrest-Pris-
Oner Cannot BE Identified.
Upon entering her front door late yes
terday afternoon, Mrs. Matilda c. YER
non, who lives at Montgomery and
State streets, was struck over the head
with an ak handle in the hands of a
man, who had entered the house in her
absence and concealed himself in the
hall.
Mrs. Vernon was knocked back
against the door by the force of the
blow and her face and shoulder were
badly bruised. She screamed for help
and her assailant was frightened away.
Everything in the house was found to
be in perfect order and if the mans
motive in entering the house was rob-
berry he was surprised before he had
gotten to work.
The police were notified at once and
negro was arrested on suspicion.
Mrs. Vernon is unable to identify him
and the evidence against him is purely
circumstantial.
Heavy Hat Saved Her.
Mrs. Vernon had been down town
during the afternoon. She returned
home shortly before o'clock. AS she
approached the house she noticed the
front door open, but supposed her
brother had returned home. Just as
she got inside the front door she was
struck. A heavy hat partially pro-
tected her head and the blow fell on
her left side. The side of her chin was
badly bruised, as well as her shoulder.
Her shoulder is so sore that she can
scarcely raise her arm.
AS Mrs. Vernon fell back against the
door she screamed. The man had evil
IDENTIFY intended to knock her down
with the single blow. AS she con-
tinued to scream he became frightened
and fled, jumping through the parlor
window. The AK handle was found in
the parlor where he had dropped it.
Suspect Under Arrest.
Albert CASTOR, a negro 20 years of
age, was arrested by Detective Muir
ply accompanied by officer Pitts.
Patrolman M. L. Mildrim was the first
officer to reach the scene after Mrs.
Vernon was struck. She said it was
dark in the hall at the time. and she
could give no description Of her assail-
ant. She did not even know whether
he was a negro, or a white man.
The officers, however, made a
| thorough investigation. Several per-
sons were supposed to have seen the
negro running away from the house.
AS the officers went among the negroes
in the neighborhood, one or two were
heard to say, There, they is after Tur-
key now
Was Working Around House.
This clue was followed and it was
! found that Albert CASTOR, called "Tur-
key" had been employed during the
day at Mrs. Vernon's house moving
some furniture that was to be shipped
by freight. When the last load left
for the depot late in the afternoon,
Castor, who was hired by the driver
of the dray, left the wagon, after going
a part of the way to the depot.
He is thought by the police to have
returned to the house Immediately and
waited until Mrs. Vernon came in. 1t
| is believed by the officers that there are
! several witnesses, who saw CASTOR run
ming away from the house. These will
I be located to-day, if possible.