The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-05
HIGHWAYhAN RUNS
DOWN AUTOMOBILE
Rides Motorcycle and Holds
Up Party Of Four.
HAUL AMOUNTS TO $1,000
Steals Supply of Gasoline and Leaves
His Victims Helpless
on the Road.
HAUL AMOUNTS TO $1,000


on the Road.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 5.-A motor
cycle fCotpad has made his debut in
the suburbs Of this city. a party OF
four experienced a variation from the
usual adventures OF an automobile trip
BY an encounter with this twentieth
century robber on a lone road about
fourteen miles out.
The highwayman relieved them of
about A,OO0 In money and jewelry. and
then drew off the gasolene from their
machine into mis- own storage tank
As result the autoist and his three
women passengers were compelled TO
walk two miles to a tollgate. where they
managed 10 summon assistance.
Party of New Workers.
The victims were all New Workers. \.
c. Hail. his wife and two of her friends,
Mrs. Arthur L. Jackson and Mrs Thorn
as c. Walton. had started for a run to
Delaware Water Gap. They We're in
heavy French touring car. and Mr.. Hall.
who was driving, had been careful not
to cover less than the legal maximum
speed over the thOrOughfares leading
out Of the city; in fact, Mr.. Hall is will
ing TO confess he was making pretty
good time" The course lay over the
old York road.
Just on the outskirts Of Willow Grove
about fourteen miles from the city. Mr.
Hall. by the aid of his powerful search
light. picked out man on a motor
cycle riding leisurely along the road.
He was In full motoring costume and
had on light mixed gray clothes. with
black leggings. tan motoring gloves. a
black Iong-visored cap. and wore Cog
giles.
A Warning Signal.
Mr.. Hall gave a warning signal from
his horn. but the cyclist. instead OF taxi
ing heed. pumped up a little more speed
and Indicated that he was inclined 10
test the capabilities Of the big French
car. For mile or more the two ina
chimes sped on under full reach. the
touring car a short distance in the rear
and apparently gaining little.
Then came a stretch Of hill-climblng
and both chauffeurs slackened.
All OF a sudden the motorcycle was
seen TO wabble. Mr. Hall realized the
riders plight but was scarcely able 20
shut on power IN time to avoid running
him down. as the wheel fell directly in
the path Of the big touring car.
The rider, however. 10 the surprise OF
the tourists, had Jumped to one side
AS Hairs strenuous efforts brought his
machine 10 full stop he looked full
into the muzZle Of two revolvers. while
the cyclist glared down over him
through his nideous goggles.
our jig ) up, / guess. pard! Shell
out your coin" coolly remarked the
stranger.
Taken by Surprise.
Hall was taken completely by sur
bled into a general upset by the sudden
stopping OF the auto, screamed In ter
rOr.
There was not a house in sight. nor
was there sign Of anyone within hear
ing distance of the road.
The footpad. in complete self-posses-
sion, accepted the money and valuables
as they were handed out. The couec-
ton. It is estimated. was worth at least
s1.o0o.
Now I'm sorry to have TO ask you
tieth-century Dick TlIrpin. u need your
gasOlene; my machine has run out
the request was complied with under
the suasion OF the revolVers. which he
kept constantly aimed at the party
Connecting q rubber tube between the
two tanks. the polite highwaymen set
the pump working, and soon had the
fuel transferred from the touring car 10
his own tank. This completely disabled
the Halls vehicle. and left their party
reduced 10 locomOtion by fOotpower.
His work completed. the motor foot
pad bade the party all ''Good-nlght!'
blew three tOots on his cycle horn and
sped away in the direction Of Phila-
delphia.
Walked Two Miles.
The victims. after a consultation. walk
ed two miles to the tollgate and obtain
ed a conveyance there TO drive them
20 Doylestown. Pa. II was at that VII
lage that the motorcycle hold-up was
first reported at about midnight
Search was started at once for the
robber. but. according to reports today
no trace had been obtained Of him. Word
was sent to the towns all along the
line and cOnstables and citizens have
been on the lookout for the fellow. II
IS presumed. however. that he has
changed his costume by this time, and
II would be extremely difficult 10 iden-
tify him without his cyclists rig.
Some OF the authorities are inclined
20 believe that the new and novel rob
Der IS Identified with the gentleman
burglar" who has been at work In this
vicinity recently and that his motor
cycle is one that was stolen recently
when its owner had left II standing ia Il
Philadelphia street.
The description Of the costume tallies
with that reported 70 the police as miss
ing from a suburban residence recently
entered The police here think that the
motor footpad probably has hiding
place for his outfit and Will coniinc him
self TO night tours incOg. Watch is TO
be kept along the suburban roads for
his next appearance.