Evening star., 1908-01-31
"HOlD-UP" man REpULSEO
MRS. A. E. FITCH HAS AN EARLY
MORNING EXPERIENCE.
Produces Revolver When Struck by
Colored Thug and Threatens
to Use It.

| A "hol,l-up'' man was out this morning.
hut luck was against him Mrs. A. r..
| Fitch was his intended victim. She re-
! sides at l13 9Th street and 1onducts "A
newsstand and cigar store at 800 + street
| She started for her business establish
ment this morning about $50 o'clock and
! when she reached the corner of 9Th and
| + streets was. assaulted by. colored
man. Mrs. Fitch. anticipating trouble.
! had revolver with her. After being
struck she pointed the weapon at her
! assailant telling him she would blow
/ his heart out if he did not leave. He
| promptly moved away.
! Mrs. Fitch believes The attack was the
result of plot formed by several col
| ored men prior TO yesterday About two
! weeks ago an attempt was made to break
| into the store two locks being picked.
| Entrance was not effected however. the
| burglars being frightened off. Mrs. Fitch
| stated today that last evening Tall
| cclored man called at the store. has man
ner and the nature of his conversation
causing her to suspect something was
| wrong.
Visit From Colored Man.
| II was seated in the rear of the store
about $ o'clock Mrs Fitch explained,
when colored man entered and walked
part of the way through the store. He
told mo he had something very contden-
tial to tell me and started toward the
! front of the store. evidently thinking
would follow him. lie turned and saw
that had visitors.
The colored man said he had a. busi-
ness proposition to submit to me. 1t was
| for me to get the privilege of conducting
| q cigar and news stand in the new Scl-
| oHi t,,,ild pOlnrad
h, told me, could get the privilege. tut
he could get it for a. white person"
| The caller. Mrs. Fitch added. asked her
what time she opened the store In the
morning and how late she Kept 1t open;
| She answered in manner to nislead
| him as to the opening honr. The caller
made inquiries as to her financial affairs
| He did not emain long.
| After reaching home, Mrs. Fitch said.
she recalled the effort to rob her store,
and in connection with the visit of the
| colnred man reached<the conclusion that
| she was the intended victim Of robbers.
| When ready to start for the store this
morning she secreted her money.
Decides to Garry Revolver.
| II thought it might be well for me
to arm myself Mrs. Fitch explained to
a Star reporter. 1T was the first time
had carried revolver to the store. -
| Mrs Fitch added that she was near the
/ corner Of 9th and r streets when she
met the colored man. She did not sus-
/ pect he was going to trouble her. how
/ ever but he suddenly turned and dealt
| her Il blow on her left shoulder with
/ force sufficient to almost knock her of
her feet:
AS wheeled around" Mrs. Fitch
| said II pointed the pistol at him and
! told him I would blow his heart out If
:! he did not leave me. He moved off a few
feet and looked at me, and then turned
and went away"
| Mrs. Fitch said she was not frightened
until she reached her store. She then
became nervous and began to realize what
| narrow escape she had. The police
were notified. and Detective Warren was
sen; 10 the store. He was given an ex-
cellent description of the coiored man.
which was telephoned to the several police
stations. with instructions that the pO-
lice make every effort TO capture ths
! individual