Evening journal., 1905-02-18
BRUTAL NEGRO
ATTACKS WOMAN
Farmers Wife Near Burling-
ton, N. J., Bound, Gagged
and Beaten
ARMED POSSE NOW IN PURSUIT

Burlington, n. j., Feb. l6.-Bound
and gagged by an unknown colored
man. by whom, II is feared, she was
also eriminally assaulted, Mrs. Fannie
Burkett was found almost unconscious
by her husband in their home, near
Burlington, N. ]. She is now in a
serious condition. under the care Of
a physician. who believes, however,
that she win recover.
The crime, which resembles the out
rage committed on Mrs. Biddle. near
Burlington, a year ago, has excited
the people Of the town to a pitch OF
Indignation as great as did that affair,
and scores OF citizens, led by consta-
bles and by Anderson Shinn. county
detective, are now searching the woods
and fields near the scene Of the as
sault Many farmers have armed
themselves and Joined in the quest.
The Burkett home is about a mile
and a half from Burlington, on the
Jacksonville road, not far from the
State Masonic Home Burkett is en-
ployed by the institution as caretalSer
Of the grounds. When his wife was
assaulted he was in the barn of his
home which is at some distance from
the house, and did not know of her
plight until he returned long after the
colored man had fed. and found her
tied fast TO a lounge in the front room.
When released Mrs. Burkett though
in a pitiable condition and hysterical
managed 20 tell her husband Of her
experience, and, leaving her in charge
OF neighbor, he harnessed his horse
and drove into Burlington, spreading
the alarm.
According to the account Of Mrs
Burkett, who is about 80 years old,
the colored man, who was Of medium
height and heavily built, asked where
her husband was. When she told him.
he forced his way in through the part
ly open door, and, seizing her, threw
her to the floor She managed TO free
herself and rushed 10 one of the inner
rooms. There she seized a blackjack
from a shelf in order TO defend her
self. This was snatched from her by
the man. who brought 1t down with a
crushing blow on her head. Mrs Bur
kett staggered under the blow, and
would have fallen to the tioor had not
the man caught her.
He dragged her to a lounge in the
corner Of the room. Laying her there.
he ran TO another room and procured
piece of clothes line. With this he
tied the woman securely TO the lounge.
The rope was passed around her waist
several times and then tied in a hard
knot; her arms we're then fastened
TO her side and she was gagged 80
that no alarm could be raised.
Leaving her in this position, he ran
to the upper floor and ransacked tho
rooms there The only thing of value
taken was a leather pocketbook. con
tanning IS in notes. When he came
down he attacked her. Whether he
accomplished his purpose is not
known, as Mrs. Burkett is still hys-
terical and her condition will not per-
nit questioning by the authorities.
All that Mrs. Burkett remembers is
that she saw her assailant suddenly
leave the room. She then lost CON
sciousness and did not revive for near.
ly an hour.
The assailant is described as a tall
colored man of medium height. ex-
tremely black and with hideous face.
He wore dark overcoat and had a
silk mufller about his neck and cover
ing the lower portion OF his face. A
smaller man is thought 10 have stood
guard at the rear Of the house while
the outrage was committed.