The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-01
WOMAN SHOOTS HlGHWAYMAN.
RETURNS HIS FIRE WHEN AT
Tackled ON THE ROAD.
Her Father Had Been Sandbagged and
Robbed Of %. 900 at Same Spot q Few
Days AEo-Halted, She Draws Revolver
and Defends Herself-Duel Follows.

ana Defenus Herseif-Duei ronOWs.
DANBuRY, Conn, Aug. 31.-Mrs. Anna
Spencer. wife Of the Rev. g. c. Spencer, a
retired Methodist clergyman who lives In
Greenwich, had revolver battle with high
wayman to-day on the road between New
Milford and her fathers home, in Judd's
Bridge. Narrowly escaping with her own
life, she put her assailant to fight with at
least one bullet in his body.
Mrs. Spencer Is the daughter OF DIR.
Henry Hartwel, who was robbed by
highwayman two weeks ago in almost the
same spot where she was accosted to-day.
DR.. Hartwell was induced by confidence
man to draw s., 600 from the New Milford
Bank and was returning home with the
money to buy some Government bonds
that the man offered for sale when he was
sandbagged and robbed, He has since
been lying at the point OF death from his
injuries.
Yesterday his family received a letter
postmarked at New York In which they
were warned to stop the search for the
robbers under penalty of death. Mrs
Spencer who has been caring for her father
during his illness, was driving home from
the bank at New Milford to-day when u
man sprung lIOIil DtiiHi'i q SNohV III " 'oh'is
place in the road and ordered her to halt
She drew a revolver and her ASA liant opened
fire on her at short range. Mrs Spencer
who is 80 years old and athletic, returned
the shots. The assailant was 80 close to
her that the fire from his gun scorched
her dress. shot from Mrs. Spencer's
revolver struck him. apparently, and he
turned and fled.
NaEth nr-
self with a rife and drove back to New
Milford to report the attack. Posses OF
constables searched the woods near the
scene Of the assault this afternoon. but
without getting any trace Of the man. Mrs.
Spencer says her asssilant wore false
beard. Deputy Sheriff II. H. Mcmahon
of New Milford has sent to this city for
bloodhound to take up the pursuit.
GREENWICH, Conn, Aug. 3l.--The Rev
Galen c. Spencer moved here three years
ago after having married young wife In
New Milford. He was much surprised
when he was told tonight Of the attack
upon his wife, and set about at once to
learn the circumstances.
Il am not surprised to hear that she
hit the highwayman, he said. but wish
she had had larger revolver with her.
She had only pepper box OF one, If 1t is
the one think. She Is an expert shot with
a rifle, and when she was In charge OF a
lonely school some years ago | taught
her how to shoot with revolver. i got
her large one. but she could not handle
II well, SO got her a small peari-nandled
one instead.
II have not heard of her receiving any
threatening letters, else should have gone
to New Milford with her. A postal ] re-
ceived last night said that her father. Dr.
Henry Hartwell. was still In critical con-
| dition. He has not yet been told that
! threatening letter was sent him after he
was sandbagged. Detectives from New
York are working on the case, but / do not
think the assault on my wife had nything
TO do with the previous assault on her
. father.
: THE doctor received a slight shock a
few years ago and this may account for
! the men catching him in their trap. My
wife has been simply caring for her father
and was not engaged in detective work.
so that could not have been the cause Of
her being shot at. Robbery was probably
the motive.
-The doctor was approached by two
men with recommendations from friend
about real estate matters. Then one pro-
duced real bonds and induced the doctor
to 90 to the bank with him and get 5000
On the way back the companion met them,
assaulted the doctor with a sandbag and
robbed him Then the men drove away.
They later sent the liveryman $40 and note
telling where the horse could be found.
and also note to the doctor advising him
to call the detectives off their trail, else they
, would finish him. l admire my wifes
pluck. of course. She isn't the kind to
faint when ANYTHING happens"