Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-15

Of the bold criminal. whose conduct, 1t Is
declared, is almost as daring as was that
Of Jack the Slasher." who operated here
several years ago.
Unusually Bold Crime.
1t, is realized that last nights affair
was the boldest of all the robberies, and
1t Is believed the footpad would have been
apprehended had it not been for the dense
fog which prevailed at the time the crime
was committed. A French resident. name
not given, who was near the scene of the
robbery, saw the colored man and pur-
sued him, but the latter, 1t Is believed,
entered an alley leading south from N
street. short distance from Connecticut
avenue.
the Frenchman said, Il would have shot
him.
ITS great pity he did not have a
gum" was the remark of another man
who was attracted by the outcry.
Miss Mullan usually closes her place
of business shortly after O'Clock, but
last night she remained trifle later than
usual. leaving about 6:45 O'Clock. She
put her books In proper shape, and after
writing several letters she started west
on Connecticut avenue in the direction
Of her home. Reaching the corner Of N
street. Miss Mullan stopped to drop her
letters in a box that Is directly in front
'of the British embassy, and 1t was while
she was mailing the letters that the col
ored man appeared.
He put his arm about me and his foot
in front of me-" said Miss Mullan to the
police. and when I was nearly to the
pavement he pushed me or struck me and
1 went down."
Suffering From Shock.
Miss Mullan was suffering SO much
from shock that she was unable to tell
just when, her assailant got her hand
bag. in which she had her purse. The
purse contained about $50 in cash and
checks for about sos. The handbag dis
appeared with the negro. however. and
those who were near the scene were
unable to overtake him. Pay Inspector
Samuel ssI MCGOWAN. U.sN:, living at
cry Of "Stop thief" and going to the
point whence the alarm issued. found
Miss Mullan leaning against the fence in
front of the residence of Ambassador
Bryce. There was young man stand
Ing there with her who was assisting her
to retain her feet. and soon afterward
the Frenchman returned with Policeman
Delavigne. The former left the city last
night for New York. The policeman had
been found by the civilian at 10th and N
streets. while he was looking after the
robber.
The fog was SO dense that the man who
pursued the negro was unable to see very
far ahead. and although he thought he
had pursued him as far as 18th street. he
changed his mind when he heard what
the policeman had to say and realized
how easy 1t was for the man to have en-
tered the alley. The police are amazed
that a robber could muster courage enough
to commit such an act upon SO brightly
lighted thoroughfare.
Connecticut avenue. 1t was conceded.
was one Of the best-lighted thoroughfares
In the city last night. Street cars were
adding light to the street and sidewalks.
but, despite these conditions, the robber
made a success of his bold effort.
Just before reaching N street last night
Miss Mullan saw several persons on the
street, and she stopped at the crossing to
permit a carriage to pass her. In a few
seconds she was at the box posting let I
ter. and then 1t was that she was at
tackled. Her black seal handbag. with a
German silver handle, contained her pock-
etbook. 1t is the opinion Of Miss Null
Ian that the cOlored man was secreted
behind the shrubbery in front of the Brit
ish embassy, and in order to reach her 1t
was necessary for him to almost run from
that. point to where she was overtaken.
The work of tripping her was done in an
instant. and before Miss Mullan had time
to realize what was going on her head
was cut. her valuables stolen and she was
Footpad Described.
The Frenchman. who was at first sup
posed to be an attache Of the French en-
bassy, but who proves to have been tenn
porarily in the city, did all in his power
to effect capture. but, as stated, the
dense fog favored the footpad The police
were told that the colored man was very
dark in color. wore dark overcoat and
derby hat and that he was of slender
build. That was about the best descrip-
ton they were able to obtain of him. In
remarkably short while after the affair
happened the police Of the several pre-
cincts had report of the holdup, and
persons not connected with the police
force knew OF 1t, increasing the scare
which already prevailed and causing wom-
en- to express fear about appearing on the
streets after shutdown.
Several detectives and policemen were
upon the scene shortly after the crime
was committed. They spent most of the
night in the search for the negro but
this morning they were completely at sea.
Doubles His Force.
Maj Sylvester told a Star reporter this
morning that he had been doubling his
force and resorting to every means at
his command for the purpose of causing
thu apprehension of the man or men who
are causing 80 much trouble.
"Of course" he said, 1.-The force is en-
tirely too small. have been endeavoring
to get substantial increases since 1902
and have pointed out the necessity for
sucl. increases in my several annual re-
ports. In my report for the year 1902
SPECIFICALLY stated that the very To-
cality. where Miss Mulan was robbed
needed better protection"
The report OF the superintendent at
tha. time gave the information that the
beats OF policemen were from three-quar-
tiers to eight linear miles in extent 1t
was stated in the report:
1.-The lamentable weakness Of the or
gapization in point of numbers is cause
TO- comment and criticism. not only at
home, but abroad. police authorities else
where and visitors frequently referring to
the lack of police protection for the valu-
able interests of the capital OF the United
States.
."rhe homes and surrounding of per-
sons prominent in official life must have
undivided protection at times. which can
and important interests. The head of
the police department must now and then
so far reduce the force in hand by special
details to one section as to jeopardize
life and property In another. Public Of
fit ials are subject to criticism and assault,
and they are sometimes ignorant of the
special precautions had for their comfort
and safety. The force should be adequate
to permit general and uninterrupted at
tertion in all parts of the territory.
THE foreign legations, occupied by dis
tinguished representatives Of other coun-