New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-01
ROBBERS BEAT WOMAN.
TWO 41Y1CK HER IN HILL
WidO1c Ch0ked Unconscious us-One
Nan Caught after Chase.

Struggling desperately against two highway
men who were trying to tear her diamond sun
ourst and rings from her. Mrs. Bertha Brooks.
widow, who occupies apartments at No 10I
west iith-st with her brother William, was
beaten until unconscious late last night. The
men followed her into the vestibule Of the apart
ment house which is less than forty feet from
Columbus-ave. and while belated pedestrians
were still passing by the woman was battered
by the men and choked until she grew black
in the face.
Nobody heard the womans screams for help
when she was attacked, as the men slarumed
the heavy door OF the vestbue behind them Il
was only when they thought somebody COM
ing downstairs that they took TO their heels. Then
followed a lively chase along Columbus-ave.. in
which several hundred men joined. One sup
posed robber who darted down Columbus-ave.
was overtaken by young man. and the two
were fighting desperately when crowd hemmed
them in and held the alleged highwayman until
policeman came up Then he WAS beaten into
submission and taken to the West 6Sth-st. po-
lice station, where he locked up, charged
with highway robbery. The second man got
away, but detectives were sent out to scour the
entire nelghborhood Up 20 an early hour this
morning he was still at large
Mrs. Brooks was badly beaten that both
her eyes were swollen that she could not see
Her nose was broken and her whole face was
bruised and blue from blows. Her throat bore
deep finger marks where the men had throttled
her to prevent her from making an outcry.
Her furs were dragged from her and her waist
was much torn when she was found lying
conscious on the vestibule floor.
IDENTIFIES ONE MAN.
1t with difficulty that the police eventually
got her to the West 6Sth-st. station, where she
positively identified the prisoner of the
men who attacked her. A physician whom her
brother summoned to attend her said the woman
was in a state of collapse early this morning.
and he feared serious results from the ordeal
she went through
Mrs. Brooks came here little more than two
months ago from Atlantic City, where she had
been living at No 16 State-ave. Last night she
visiting downtown and stayed late. She
declined to remain with her friends, however,
for fear her brother would be alarmed at her
absence.
While in a Columbus-ave she saw two
young men watching a diamond sunburst and
several diamond rings which she wore. She
became a little nervous at first, but the young
men went TO the rear platform and smoked.
Mrs. Brooks covered her sunburst which she
valued at $3.50 with her fur boa, and little
later regained her composure.
At 77th-st. she left the car and walked rap
idly TO her apartment house, which is just off
Columbus-ave Hearing footsteps behind her
she turned and saw the same men. She opened
the door hurriedly, but before she could slam
il one of the men thrust his foot in Mrs
Brooks screamed, but one of tke men capped
his hand over her mouth and seized her by the
throat She fought hard, and when one of the
men tried to take the diamond rings from her
fingers she clenched her hands while the high
wa yman bore down with his knuckles until he
made the back of her hands black and blue.
When the men that she did not mean to
give in easily they battered her face.
SAVED BY FALSE ALARM
Just the woman was becoming unconscious
one of the men thought he heard sound If
somebody coming through the hall. The
darted out the door. and Mrs. Brool.s fell
unconscious. John J. OCOnnor. of No. 229
Columbus-ave,. secretary Of the Independence
League. standing at 77t!~st. and Columbus
ave. with c. F. Hoyt. Of No 64 Vest S1st-st.
Both saw the highwaymen run out = the ves.l-
bule, and O'Connor made after them. Hoyt went
To the vestbue. found Mrs. Brooks unconscious
and summoned help
Outside others joined in the chase, but the
alleged thief outran all except O'Carnor. who
finally overlook him at 14th-st The. Patrol
man Sprague came up. The felloF. started to
fight. but Sprague struck him a few blows with
his nightstick and he declared he had enough.
He told the police he Walter Wilson, OF
No 2OS West 3Sth-sJ, which is the Hotel
Navarro. Later he changed his address to No.
los West 3Sth-st.
When Wilson was being taken to the station
house a number of men tried TO get at him. but
Sprague held them of with his nightstick. The
highWaymen did not get any Of the woman S
Jewels The sunburst was torn from her breast
but she cutched at il and prevented the pair
from taking IL from her