Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-23
MAKES MURDEROUS ASSAULT
JOHN HOWARD, CoLoRED, Ac-
CUsED BY MRS. JoST.
Uses Milk Bottles as Weapons-Ac-
cused Man Subsequently Attempts
to Commit Suicide.

Persons living in the vicinity of 18th
and Irving streets northeast were aroused
last night shortly after . o'clock by the
screams of a woman, Mrs. Ida Jost. who
is in the dairy business there. She had
been assaulted. it was stated, by young
colored man named John Howard. At the
time she was screaming for assistance she
was on her way to the house of Simms
Norris, a neighbor. When she reached the
house her face and head were covered
with blood, and she was suffering from
shock.
Howard left the premises about the time
neighbors heard Mrs Jost's screams. and
later in the night was found in an uncon-
scious condition at his home. the Madrid
apartment house, 18th street and Kalo-
rama avenue. having swallowed a quaint
ty of ammonia. On account of his condi-
ton II was impossible for the police to
obtain a statement from him, and a po-
liceman was left at Freedmens Hospital
to see that he did not escape after regain
ing consciousness.
John Howard. who was known only as
John by Mrs. Jost had been employed on
the dairy farm about one week. it was
stated. his employment there ceasing last
Thursday. He IS a cousin of Sam Shep-
herd, who was regularly employed by
Mrs. Jost. Sam was away from the house
last night. having gone to call upon a
friend. Mrs Jost was seated near the
kitchen stove shortly after o'clock when
the door opened and John walked in.
How do you do. Mrs. Jost?" he in
quired.
Makes Sudden Attack.
Mrs. Jost responded and the colored man
then asked If she had any work for him
to do. She told him she had none. ac-
cording to her statement to the police
later, and within few minutes he struck
her with a milk bottle without provoca-
ton. He struck her three blows on her
head, she said. before she could get UP
and defend herself Then she engaged in
a desperate struggle with him, through
the kitchen and dining room. The colored
man grabbed her by her throat and at
tempted to choke her. Finally she got
away from him and locked herself in the
dining room. The colored man then left
the house and threw milk bottles through
the window at her.
When Mrs. Jost had become convinced
that her assailant had left the neighbor-
hood she started to the house of Mr.. Nor
ris. The latter notified the police of the
tenth precinct, and Lieut. Slattery sent
officers In the patrol wagon to investi-
gate. Detective Evans going from head
quarters. Mrs. Jost declined to go to a
hospital and the police took her back to
her home. Her relatives were summoned
and remained at the house with her after
a physician had dressed her wounds.
When the officers reached the house in
which the assault had been committed
they found the floors of the kitchen and
dining room literally covered with frag-
ments of broken milk bottles, and there
were blood stains about both rooms. Ev-
erything indicated that Mrs. Jost had par
ticipated in fierce Struggle.
Identified by His Friends.
The policemen found friends of the al
legged assailant and succeeded in bring
ing about his identity, but before they
could locate his home it was learned, as
stated. that he had attempted suicide. He
is alleged to have returned to the city
on City and Suburban car and to have
gone directly to his home, reaching there
shortly before 10 o'clock. While some
of the police of the tenth precinct were
looking for him In the county others
were assisting in his removal to the hos
pital 1t was not until nearly midnight,
however. that the police associated the
unconscious man with the assault case.
Mrs Jost told the police that she was
unable to explain the conduct Of her as
sailant, nothing having been done by
him which would indicate a motive.
There was no effort made to criminally
assault Mrs. Jost, she declares, nor was
any effort made to rob her. Her pocket
book was where 1t could have been taken
by him. but he left it in the house.
Mrs. Jost was painfully cut and bruised.
but her condition was not serious. Sam
Shepherd returned to the dairy farm
about midnight. and the police had him
go to Freedmen's Hospital and identify
the patient.
1t was stated by the hospital physicians
today that Howard is still in critical
condition. although there had been a
slight change for the better noticed.
They stated that he might recover