Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-14
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY
OBSERVED BY THREE YOUNG
MEN, WHO EFFECTED ARREST.
Has Been Several Times in Prison and
Picture is in the Rogues'
Gallery.


the police had him on prior occasion he
was known by the name of Underwood.
and under that name, 1t is said by the de-
tectives he served a term OF eighteen
months In the penitentiary at Moundsville
for an ofrense computed in this city. He
was recognized yesterday at the sixth pre-
cinct station by Precinct Detective Mullen
as being a man who was known in Freder-
icksburg Va, for several years under the
name OF Tom Tit" and who was SEN
fenced TO twenty-five years in prison for
alleged burglary.
The offense charged against him in this
city is an attempted burglary at the house
OF Mr. John II. Hurley. No. 60 X street
northwest, about > o'clock yesterday morn
ing 1t Is the contention of the police that
the prisoner Is able to explain other cases
in which early morning visits We're paid to
the homes of residents of this city during
recent weeks. His picture is already In the
gallery at police headquarters. but Captain
Boardman had another one taken OF nm
this morning.
The coIorcd man was unfortunate in Sc
lecting the Hurley house yesterday morn
ing because there were three young men
in there who had the nerve TO tackle him
when they found him in the yard in the
rear of their home. The intruder was
armed with an and knife. and 1t was
only after a desperate struggle that he was
oyerpoWered and turned over to the police
John H Hurley 1r suffered an attack of
the toothache yesterday morning, and when
he went to the window to expeCtorate he
saw the form of man In the yard.
Strenuous Time Follows.
"There's a colored man in the yard work
ing at the window" he said to one of his
brothers. Their other brother was informed
of the discovery, and the three young men
decided to make an effort to capture the
early morning visitor. While they were
oevising ways and means their aunt, Miss
Sweeney, heard the noise the colored man
was making and told her nephews of 1t.
Don't make any noise" the aunt ad-
Vised, and we'll catch him.
The three men went to the lower floor In
their bare feet, and left the aunt to do the
watching. She saw the coored man go to
the shed and get an ak, evidently because
the task of opening the shutter had seemed
a little more difficult than he had antici-
pated. A hasty examination of the prem
ises showed that an entrance had been
gained by climbing the fence and not by
opening the CRATE Joseph Hurley was IN
the lead and close behind him came Fran
els and John Hurley, jr. The pattering of
the feet of the three men. notwithstanding
their care. attracted the attention of
Grady, and the latter turned to ascertain
the just the side gate opened.
Joseph Hurley had a cane, with which he
attacked the intruder. Grady returned the
blow. using the ak, and inflicted slight
wound to the leg of the man who had
struck him.
Meanwhile one OF the brothers grabbed
Grady by the throat and choked him unit!
he dropped the ak. John Hurley picked up
the weapon and used it upon Grady. who
was trying to get a knife from his pocket.
Grady next got Franks finger In his mouth,
and II was only by reSorting to violence
that the Colored man was prevented from
chewing 1t. BY this time Miss Sweeney
had called for help. She was heard by
Mrs. Conner neighbor. who blew her po-
lice whistle several times to call the police
The three brothers held Grady until Sergt
Murphy reached the premises with a po-
hcenan and took charge of him. In the
meanwhile however. Mr.. Blosser and Mr.
Hoibrook, neighbors, had responded and
big revolver held by Mr. Blosser had the
effect Of keeping the prisoner quiet. and
also frightened several colored men who
We're In the alley. and, it is believed kept
'heih from taking hand in the affair.
Admits His Identity.
1t was nearly o'clock when the prisoner
reached the sixth precinct station In charge
Of the officers. He was barefooted but had
a pair Of slippers tucked away in his pocket.
HIS name was registered as Thomas Grady
alias Underwood. and he was placed behind
the bars. 1t was stated at police headouar-
lers this morning that some of the detec-
tives had watched Grady recently but that
ne rode bicycle and they found il a diff
cult matter to keep him under observation
When his picture was found and shown him
ne admitted his identity. He told the police
that ne hoIds position as an official in the
harberS union in this city. The records
snow that he was sentenced to MoundsyiIIe
from this city to serve period of eighteen
months. When Precinct Detective Mullen
called al the prisoners cell yesterday morn
ing he promptly identified him as Tom
TIT When Grady told the officer that he
was from Fredericksburg the latter gave
him the Information that he also was from
the Virginia city.
Who did you know down there?" the
prisoner inquired.
Tom Tit was the prompt response of
the sleuth
The prisoner laughed and admitted that
ne Is the man who was known In Freder-
icksourg under that alias. In Fredericks-
purg the detective says Grady was SEN
fenced TO the Richmond penitentiary to
serve twenty-five years but was hardened
by Gov. Lee after he had been in prison
about seven years
He is good hot-air artist" said the de-
tecilVe to a Star reporter. and it was be-
cause of the good talk he made that he was
pardoued"
People in Fredericksburg had experienced
no end of trouble. he said because of the
wholesale depredations of a midnight caller
Al many OF the homes OF people in the city
the unlimited guest did more damage than
by carrying away valuables and at some
houses he left notes for the purpose of let
ing the occupants know what a good time
he had during his short visit
Coat Recognized
1t happened that coat taken from a
house was seen on Grady and the owner of
the garment stopped him on the street and
asked him where certain persons lived
Grady was unable to give the information
and the owner of the coat said he had a
list of names of people he was trying TO
locate. Putting his hand In his pocket to
get the supposed list. he cllnched a re-
volyer and promptly covered Grady with
il. Telling him he would kill him if he at
tempted to escape. he held Grady until the
arrival OF a policeman. His arrest gave
the people OF the city the relief they had
long desired and the prisoner was sent off
TO the pen!tentiary
II Is stated that he had served meals to
the daughter of Gen Fitzhugh Lee while
the latter staying at a hotel in Vir-
ginia, and she remembered him when she
saw him In the prison upon an occasion
when she visited the institution with her
father. who was then governor. Grady
appealed to the young ladys sympathy and
interested her in his case 1t Is said that
his pardon was the result and when he was
released he came to this city.
In 1901 he was sent TO the penitentiary
at MoundSville and has been out of there