The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-03-23
HOUSEWIFE PUTS
THIEF TO FLIGHT
Mrs. w. Il. Hudnell Engages
in Fierce Struggle
Coming Home, She Finds Strange
Negro in House-seizes Poker
When He Advances.
MEN ARE SECURING COUNTRY

In desperate battle with negro
sneak thief this morning at 8
O'Clock, Mrs. w. r. Hudlell, resid-
ing opposite the south end of Wal
lace park on the Broadway road, was
bruised, but succeeded in routing the
negro. Immediately news of the as
sault was telepnoned TO the city hall
and attracted many to the house.
within a short time after the battle
several armed men were securing the
woods for the fellow. The greatest ex-
citement prevailed and patrolmen
and detectivs from the city force
were detailed. but were unsuccessful
In capturing the negro, because OF
the start he had.
Mrs. Hudnell is the wife OF a WE'LL
known representative of the Fair
banks-Morse company of Chicago.
He was at the city hall this morn
ing to prosecute a negro for stealing
tools. His wife was alone at home,
and had stepped down to Schmaus
Bros. green house. little more
than one square away.
81 locked all doors except the
kitchen door" Mrs. Hudnell said, "and
did not intend to remain long. On
returning l found a black negro
about feet 4 inches high, dressed
in overalls and wearing a cap, seated
in my kitchen. He was eating my
preserves and I asked him what he
meant. He arose and started towards
me.
4 came to borro wa rake for
Charles Porter, who lives over there.
Ny name is George Porter" was his
reply.
81 was very angry at the intrusion
and ordered him out He made a
lunge at me and l grabbed up a
small stove poker. struck to ward
off his attack, but he wrenched the
poker away from me. Next l grabbed
him to prevent MIN using it, but he
jerked it away and dealt me a blow
in the breast. l fell back and he
made a dash for the door. 1t was
locked and h tried for the next, a
few feet away. The rear end of my
kitchen is one big solid window, and
he fell against 1t, breaking out
large portion of the glass.
81 saw him leap out of the house
and start towards the Broadway road
in the rear of Schmaus' geen house.
As soon as possible l summoned
nelghbors, but he had gained too
great a start"
Mrs Hudnel' IS a strong woman.
- -. -, 9 - r-s-s -
" w'sL could have killed him",
she declared, as she surveyed his
work. Her neat little home was a
wreck. Every dresser, washstand, and,
in fact, everything in t ne
house had been ramsacked. Mrs.
Hudnell misses nothing, but found
after the excitement that the negro
had wrapped up several suits of un-
derwear and some shirts belonging
to her husband. He doubtleSr in
tended taking them when surprised
by Mrs. Hudnell's appearance.
Mr.. Hudnell FASTENED home from
the city when notified. Procuring a
shotgun he started after the negro.
Taking the route indicated by per-
sons, who had seen the fugitive rum
ming, he found himself at Twenty
fifth and Caldwell streets. He turn
ed back. determined to secure a
horse and continue his search. He
was told that negro. answering the
description, had preceded nim but a
few moments. Hudnell is bent on
capturing the negro, IL he has to
ride to Mayneld.
Detective Will Baker with PATROL
man James Brennan secured horse
and buggy and visited the Hudnell
home. They took no part in the
chase.
An investigation showed that no
one by the name OF Charles or
George Porter lived in the vicinity
of Arcadia.
Mrs Hudnell was sorely bruised.
but able to perform her household
duties this morning she states that
she struck the negro one sound blow
with the iron poker while she he'd
Il, and remembers of tearing his
shirt nearly OF as they wrestled for
possession Of the weapon.