The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-03
Miss Bessie Leighton is
Murderously Assaulted
By Unknown Man.
THINK ROBBERY
WAS MOTIVE
Young iLady's Sisters, Hearing
Her Cries, Ran to Rescue and
Drove Off Her Assailant,
Who Escaped With
out Securing
Purse.

While on her way home at Q O'clock
yesterday evening, Miss Bessie Leigh
ton, who lives with her married sister,
Mrs. c. w. Newman. at 1899 North
twenty ninth street, was .sand-bagged
and almost rendered senseless by the
received on the right side OF her head.
1T Is believed by Mr.. G. w. Newman,
the girls brother-in-law, that the mo-
tive was robbery. though the assail-
ant failed to accomplish his PURPOSE. II
this were his motive. for Miss Leigh
ton, as she fell. threw her pocket
book from her, and 1t fell In the grass
some distance away.
. lonely field, which separates her
home on the 1900 block from the row
OF houses on the 1900 block. She no-
ticed man walking in front OF her.
but thinking pothing OF the matter.
walked quickly on, to get home before
nightfall. Just as she got close to the
man he made pretense OF dropping his
umbrella. She passed, and he rose
suddenly. striking her terrific blow
on the side OF her head. She swayed
and tottered. but did not quite fall, and
he struck her again. She went down
with moan. which fortunately was
heard by her two sisters. who were
waiting for her at the front gate.
flushed TO Rescue.
With the cry I'm coming. I'm COM
Ing. Bessie" Mrs Newman and her
sister rushed out to the aid of Miss
Newman. In the meanwhile the man
had escaped In the night. and no more
was seen Of him. Miss Leighton was
borne to her home by her sisters. and
Sir. Newman Immediately rushed oui
to call physician and to notify the
police. Dr. HOrd responded, and treat.
ed the girls wounds. The skin was
not broken. and the physician wns
OF the opinion that the wound WAS
inflicted with a sand bag. The combs
In her hair and her hat-plns were
broken by the blows. and her t,at was
knocked from her head.
The young lady revived within Il
few minutes. and when Policeman
werner arrived on the. scene. was
enabled 20 give the officer partial
description Of her assatlant. She stated
that the man was white, OF middle
height, and that he wore dark clothes
and hat. She did not recognize him
however. and this was the difficulty
Policeman Werner and afterwards
Policeman Wiley searched about fol
clues, but without success.
Complains OF Disorder.
Mr.. Newman complains bitterly OF
disorder, which he says goes on al
most nightly near his residences. Ht
states that gang OF young white
boys and ne'er-dowells gather on tht
corner and make night hideous with
their noise. Just four weeks ago an.
other young lady was assaulted as she
was on her way home. the thief man.
aging to snatch her purse and make
off with 1t. He was never captured.
The locality In which Mr.. Newman
and many neighbors have their home.
is ill-lighted. or hardly lighted at all
the mounted police. having SO mucf
territory to cover. hardly reach 1t ir
their travels. and murderous attempt.
may be committed with ease and witt
little fear Of detection. The place /.
so bad that women are afraid to Ven.
ture from their doors at night.
Miss Leighton was very weak ane
trcmulous when seen last night.