The Washington herald., 1907-08-23
NEGRO SEIZES PURSE
Attacks Woman Under Glare
of Street Lamps.
ELUDES CAPTURE BY POLICE
Extraordinary Robbery Takes Place
at Door of Lincoln Apartment
House, on Twelfth street south
east Big, Brutal COIOred Man
FriEhtens on PurSuers.

While entering the doorway Of the Lin
coin Apartments. on Twelfth street, near
B southeast, almost directly under an
electric light and in full view OF several
people on the opposite side OF the street.
Mrs, Anna V. White the wife Of a United
States cotton Inspector, was aceosted and
robbed Of her pocketbook by eolored
man about $50 o'clock last night
The daring of the thief has spurred the
police, and they are sparing no efforts In
their endeavor TO apprehend the man.
Mrs. White had just returned from a
church meeting when the assault was
committed
Several friends accompanied her 10 her
home, and as they turned 10 enter the
short walk leading to the main entrance
OF the apartment house. one Of the party
said, Good night. Mrs White. She
noticed the negro standing al one side Of
the entrance, but thinking that he was
waiting for some one to answer the
door. paid no attention 10 him.
When she had stepped up two or three
steps directly in front Of the doorway.
N4lI 4iNEAu -AGEHEu dSttst dS u ~ atAVW
more room for her TO pass. He put out
his hand as though TO assist her in
opening the screen doors. As he did this.
the negro also said Good evening, Mrs.
White, having probably heard her
friends parting remark, and bowed as If
he was acquainted with her.
Snatches Her Purse.
Then he threw his outsuetched arm
about her, and, forcing her against the
side Of the doorway. reached for the sill
yer purse hanging from her belt. In an
instant he had snatehed the purse from
its fastenings and started 70 run.
It was done so quickly that, although
Mrs. White screamed when the negro
/ first grabbed her, several young boys on
the other side of the street, who heard
her call for assistance, did not have time
10 reach the entrance 10 the apartment
before the man had started down an al
ley running through 70 Eleventh street
Roy Sarton, OF 12l7 street southeast,
who was first 10 reach Mrs. White, hur-
rledly called the janitor of the apartment
from q basement room, and the two
started IN pursuit
The negro followed the alley until he
reached Tenth street, and then turned
south 10 d street, three blocks away.
After reaching Tenth street he slowed
down 10 a walk. bat both Sarton and the
tanitor were afraid 10 attempt 10 stop
him and accordingly went in search %
a policeman.
On reaching . street the negro is said
TO have turned east again and was last
/ seen making his way 10 the commons in
the direction Of the District Jail
Police on the Case.
The police Of the Fifth precinct were
notified by telephone, and in a few min
utes Capt. Mathews and several of his
men and Detectives Hewlett and Pratt,
/ of the Central Bureau. arrived
According 10 the description given by
Mrs. White TO the police. the negro was
a man Of more than six feet IN height,
and very powerful In build. Though Mrs
/ White had but a slight glance al him,
| she is positive that he had a mustache
/ and wore a long coat and a tan vest.
| Practically the same description OF the
man is given by Roy Sarton and the
I janitor Of the Lincoln apartments.