The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-01
ROBERTS MAY LIVE.
Victim of Mysterious shooting Is Much
Improved.

Atlantic City. N. J.. Sept. 1.-The
condition of Charles B. Roberts of Bal
timore, who was mysteriously shot last
Wednesday night. is said today to be
much improved. The mystery surround
ing the shooting is still as deep as ever
and the impression is gaining ground
that the veil will never be lifted. Mrs.
w. S. @. Williams, who was in the roll
ing chair with Mr.. Roberts when he
was attacked, has returned to her home
near Baltimore, but Mrs. Roberts, wife
of the victim, is still in this city.
The Woman's Story.
Baltimore. Sept. 1-Seated in the
drawing room of her home at Long
Green, Baltimore county, Mrs. w. S.
Williams, in the presence of her sister,
Mrs. Sherlock Swami, wife of the pres
ident of the police board, described in
erts, Jr., who was wounded on We'd
nesday night in Boardwalk, Atlantic
City, while in her company.
1T was an attempt at robbery, pure
and simple" she declared, land Mr..
Roberts was shot because he refused to
comply with the demand of the man
in the mask who had ordered him to
give up his money.
Words have been put in my mouth
about this sad affair that 1 never spoke.
Sentiments have been ascribed to me
that 1 never had. The whole thing has
been distorted and greatly exaggera-
ted.
when the shooting occurred I had
left my little daughter at the Hotel
Brighton not more than 20 minutes ne
fore. Mr.. Roberts was going along with
me in the rolling chair, and we got to
a place where the boarding was rough
and the chair bounded a good deal L
suggested that we turn back. The chair
was a covered one, and Mr.. Roberts
raped on the glass and told the negro
chairman to turn around. Just as he
did so the chair stopped and a mask
ed man thrust a pistol into the chair,
having first opened the window on the
ocean side and ordered us to get out.
81 was seated on the side of the chair
toward the ocean and, without a word
got out and held up both hands. Mr.
Roberts followed me and as soon as he
had emerged from the chair the man
told him to give him his money.
81 had a little chatelaine bag attach
ed to my wrist, but the man made no
effort to get this. He wore the rough
est kind of clothing, and judging from
his appearance he looked like a tramp
'I was scared and begged Mr.. Rob-
erts to give the man what money he
had, but Mr.. Roberts instead rushed
at the man, who was covering him with
a pistol and stood a few PAGES off. AS
Mr. Roberts started forward the man
fired two shots in all, one of them TAX
ing effect. Although struck by one OF
the bullets, he kept on toward the man
and the villain escaped in the dark
ness"
Ibid either you or Mr.. Roberts recog-
nize the voice of his assailant?' Mrs.
William was asked. She replied in an
indignant negative.
IF 1t had been anyone whom we
knew WE'LL" she said, do you not think
we would have recognized the voice at
once? If it had been my husband, as
they have tried to insinuate, or my
brother it would have been impossible
for either to have disguised his voice
so that both Mr.. Roberts and 1 would
not recognize it.
1.-The police of Atlantic City went to
work trying to substantiate and prove
a wicked story that had no basis In