Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-17
Mrs. Mary J. Cole Clicked by
CoIored Burglar.
TAKES W0MAN'S MONEY
Early Morning Crime at St. Elmo
Causes Excitement.
NEIGHBoRs> CONDUCT SEARCH
Screams Arouse Boarders in House
and Others-Victim Under
Care of Physician:

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ALEXANDRIA. Va. August 17.-Mrs.
Mary j. Cole, who conducts boarding
house at ST. Elmo, Alexandria county.
this morning related the story of bru-
tai assault and robbery. of which she
was the victim, about $3.50 o'clock yester-
day morning. while she slept. alongside
her two little children. She almost wept
as she raised her right hand to her throat
and told Of how a negro, before robbing
her. grabbed her by the throat and
choked her almost into insensibility. Tell
tale marks in the shape of finger prints
on the throat bore out her statement.
The intruder secured <9s, one dozen sill
pink silk. Mrs. Cole says that probably a
few other articles were taken. The
knives and forks were marked Rogers,
and were valued at $24
Mrs. Cole says that Saturday night she
retired about 1890 o'clock. as did Miss
Rebecca Stone. who resides in the house.
Owing to the heat she slept on an impro-
vised pallet with the children in the par
lor on the first floor. Miss Stone slept on
the other side of the room.
Aroused by Hand on Throat.
Mrs. Cole says she was aroused by the
intruder. who had her by the throat with
one hand. She tried to scream. but owing
to the tight clutch he had around her
throat she was unable to utter word.
The negro said nothing. but held her for
two or three minutes. while she looked
him straight in the eye. He then took
from beneath her pillow an old Bingham
apron in which the money was rolled.
The man then hastily departed.
(
plains she screamed at the top OF her
voice, walking the floor and wringing her
hands. Her screams aroused MISS stone
who ran upstairs and told the men board
ers, Ave in number. of the assault and
robbery. Every man in the house dressed
and started in pursuit Of the negro. the
latter, however, had about ten minutes
start, and the efforts to find him were
futile.
Constable Pennypacker was informed of
the occurrence, and he joined in the search.
The constable also notified the local police.
Several neighbors heard Mrs Coles cries.
and they also FASTENED to her assistance.
The immediate vicinity was secured for
the rohber.
II was scared SO badly didn't know
what I was doing" Mrs. Cole said. why
didn't die don't know. All my savings.
every penny possessed IN this world are
gone"
1t had been the custom to leave open
the rear kitchen door of the Cole house
to allow the boarders to enter. The last
man in at night locked the door,
Secreted in the House.
In the opinion of Mrs. Cole the in
truder early secreted himself in the house
and awaited the arrival of the last board
er before committing the robbery. This
belief was strengthened by finding the
key on the inside Of the door and nc
Dat vrahhinp hAr
thief ransacked the sideboard in the din
ing room adjoining the parlor
1t was found that the contents OF the
sideboard had been scattered all over the
room and its contents were also displaced
Mrs. Cole is positive that the man who
committed the robbery was aware of the
presence of the money and knew exactly
| where; 1t was hidden. She says that she
counted 1t about $40 o'clock at night by
dim lamp, the curtain of her side win
curely wrapped the money in the apron
and placed it beneath the pillow. The
curtain was not lowered until she was
about to retire. In her opinion the rob-
Der kept close watch over the house. She
says that about 7:30 o'clock Saturday
evening a colored man appeared at the
kitchen door and asked for something to
eat. She gave him food, after which he
left.
Mrs Cole says she would be able to
identify her assistant should he be cap
tured.
According to Mrs. Cole, during the past
year she has been robbed three times. On
one occasion she lost twenty-five chickens:
another time she was robbed of a boiler
and wash tub. and again quantity Of
clothing.
Supposed to Be a Tramp.
In the opinion of the county authorities
the man who committed the robbery was
a tramp. He is described as being about
twenty-three years of age. He wore
black clothes and a SLOUGH hat. He
weighed about leo pounds.
News of the assault and robbery spread
throughout the county with rapidity. the
railroad men employed at the Potomac
railroad yards being particularly indig-
nant. There was report in this city
last night to the effect that a man an
swering the description of Mrs. Cole's
assailant had been captured at the rail-
road yards. and was being held a prisoner
in a box car.
Mrs Cole is now under the care of a
physician. Owing to her highly nervous
condition, 1t is thought. she will not be
able to leave her bed for several days. at
least. Miss Stone is attending her con-
stantly.
The two children were not aroused by
their mothers screams.