Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-20
ATTACKED BY RUFf|AN
Woman Robbed While on Public
Thoroughfare.
HER ASSAILANT ESCAPES
Was Knocked Down by One of Two
Colored Footpads.
RECEIVES SEVERE INJURIES
Err ASSAILANT ESCAPES
RECEIVES SEVERE INJURIES
Police Searching for the Negroes.
Mrs. Snyder, Victim of Assault,
Under Physicians Care.

Mrs. James A. Snyder the widow OF Capt
Snyder late of the United States army,
living at 1924 Vermont avenue northwest,
was felled to the sidewalk by burly col
ored man last night and robbed of her
pocketbook. containing money and jewelry.
The assailant had companion, and both
made their escape. No trace Of their iden-
tity has been discovered by the police
Mrs. Snyder is confined to her bed today
at her handsome residence, suffering from
many and painful bruises which were in
fcted by the colored assailant Her neck.
shoulder and arm are badly swollen as
the result of the blow and she has much
trouble in swallowing. She also had a deep
and long cash across her forehead. This
is thought to have resulted from her head
striking the curb as she fell. physician
has been attending her and has forbidden
all visitors except the members of the i'm
mediate household because of his patients
condition
Mrs. Snyder had been out last evening
making some calls on friends in the north
west section and about o'clock started
along Rhode Island avenue her way
to her home. She held her pocketbook
tightly in her right hand and was walking
briskly. When she reached the intersection
of 18th street and Rhode Island avenue
she noticed two colored men standing on
the corner. Both We're looking directly at
her and both eyed her keenly as she passed.
She said afterward that their glances were
so steady and so impudent that it gave her
rather uncanny feeling and she began to
walk faster, hoping to get away from them.
Followed by the Rufians.
AS she continued along Rhode Island
avenue toward 14th street she noticed that
the two Colored men were following her
and were walking within a few feet of her
IL no
and expected to step out into the street
when she reached the alley which is about
midway of the block. She within a
few feet of the alley, she said. when she
heard quick step behind her and glanced
around.
Just at that minute. the largest of the
two coored men-and she says both We're
of good stature-struck her on the side of
the face. or on the neck. and she was
knocked down. Mrs. Snyder stated today
that she thinks some weapon was used by
her assailant, because of the force with
which he struck her and the terrible
bruise which was caused.
AS she fell to the pavement at the curb.
the assailant leaned over and grabbed the
pocketbook in her hand. She was still
holding it tightly. and to get it away the
assailant was forced to wrench it from
her. This sprained her thumb severely.
The other of the two men was near. but
when the assailant succeeded in getting the
pocketbook. both started on a run down the
alley. and were soon out of sight.
Cries for Help.
Mrs. Snyder was dazed by the blow, she
says. and does not remember distinctly Just
what happened next, but. hearing the quick
footsteps of her assaiant. she says. she was
aroused by feeling of Indignation that he
should escape. and she tried to scream.
At first she could hardly speak above a
whisper, the blow had so stunned her. but
n, bar Oh ont.
cry shouting murder
Her cries attracted several persons who
were living IN the adjacent houses and they
ran to her assistance at once. One of the
first to arrive was a man from 1851 Rhode
Island avenue northwest. He assisted Mrs.
Snyder to her feet and asked her where she
lived. At that time, he says. he noticed
that Mrs. Snyder was bleeding profusey
from wounds in her head. and he feared she
would faint.
Temporary bandages made of handker-
chiefs were wrapped about the wounds. and
two of the men who were attracted to the
scene by the woman's cries escorted her to
her home, about three blocks away. The
wounds were then bleeding profusely, and
soon after reaching her home. at 1924 Yer
mont avenue northwest. Mrs. Snyder faint
ed. None of the other occupants Of the
house was at home, and a physician was
soon arrived and cared for the injured wom-
an. DR.. H. H. Donnelly, the family ply
stefan. was summoned. and arrived soon
afterward. He found 1t necessary to take
three stitches in the forehead to close the
deep wound there.
Loses Valued Ornament.
The loss from the theft, Mr.. Snyder says,
is rot a great The pocketbook con-
tanned 81 In money, some car tickets and a
ST. Joseph's cross, which she valued highly.
After Mrs. Snyder's injuries had been
dressed the police were notified, and Detec-
tives Weldon and Burlingame from police
Headquarters and Detective Forteney of the
second precinct were detailed to make an
investigation. Owing to the suddenness
of the attack. Mrs. Snyder was unable to
give the police accurate description of
her assa!lant, but she says the one who
struck her was a large man.
1t is believed these are the same two
colored men who made an attack on an
elderly colored woman few nights ago
on 10Th street near Q street northwest.
YERKES HELD RESPONSIBLE.