The Washington herald., 1908-02-15

ting good profits to the thieves. both dar-
ing crimes. and one involving a murder
Gus assault upon a woman. have set the
police department Of Washington on met
tie. Every available man-oficers, detec-
tives, and privates-were on the job last
night in efforts TO run down the GRIM
inals
In plain view Of many witnesses, and
on a brilliantly lighted thoroughfare last
night. Miss May Mullan was beaten down
by a negro and robbed Of a pocketbook
containing S78. No one attempted TO head
OF the negro as he ran away. escaping
in the darkness.
On the platform Of a street car, Elmer
Fl. Roberts yesterday afternoon had his
pocket picked OF a purse containing s34
He held on to the man who had robbed
him until relieved OF his charge by a po-
liceman. A confederate Of the pick
pocket. however. escaped with the money.
Maj Sylvester displayed the gravest
concern over this latest instance Of dlsre-
gard for the peace of Washington and for
those engaged in maintaining order. on
report to him Of the attack upon Miss
Mullan. the chief Of police got busy at
the telephone Communicating with one
precinct station after another, he called
out whatever officers and men could be
spared for the special duty Of securing
the city FOR the culprits responsible for
yesterdays crime and other recent Of
fenses Of the kind.
Miss Mullen struck Down.
The hold-up OF Miss Niullan was one Of
the most daring and brutal attacks of the
many in Washington recently made upon
women II occurred in front Of the Brit
ish Embassy. at Connecticut avenue and
n street northwest Miss Mullan lives at
1910 Connecticut svenua northwest
Beaten to the pavement, Miss Mullan
sustained a severe cut on the head and
numerous bruises and cOntusions about
the head and body.
She Is confined to her bed. suffering
from shock, and is under the care Of DR..
Thomas s. Lee, Of 1915 Connecticut ave
nue. northwest. who was summoned imme-
diately following the attack.
DR., Lee told the police he believed Miss
Mullan was struck on the head with some
blunt instrument, such as a club or round
stone. lie found it necessary TO make
eleven stitches to close the wound
The police have a good description OF
the assailant Mai. Sylvester announced
last night that a reward of 500 viii be
paid for information leading TO the ar
rest of the negro
The attack was made on Miss Mullan
few minutes after 6 o'clock, while she
was en- route to her home from a laun-
dry establishment, at 1874 Connecticut
avenue northwest, of which she is the
proprietor. She was but a short distance
from the gateway leading into her home.
and under the full glare Of an electric
light at Connecticut avenue and y street.
weII-Iighted ThorOuEhfare.
Connecticut avenue at this point is
probably as well lighted as any thorough
fare in the city. That the negro should
choose such a place makes his attack the
most daring of any in the extended rec
ords of similar occurrences during the
past three months.
The negro is supposed TO have been ia
hiding either behind the gates of the
British Embassy or a tree box, near the
curb. After Miss Mullan had passed he
suddenly sprang from his place of hiding
He rushed up behind her before she
was aware Of his presence. Tripping her
with one foot, at the same time he dealt
her a stunning blow on the back of the
head
Dazed by the blow, Miss Mullan, un-
able to defend herself. was thrown
heavily to the pavement, receiving a deep
cut on her forehead. Her assailant then
snatched her hand bag from her grasp.
The negro ran west on \ street and dis
appeared. He was not halted in his
escape.
A number Of people who were on the
opposite side Of the stree hurried to Miss
Mullans assistance. The young woman
was carried to her home, but a few doors
away, and Dr. Lee was summoned.
The police were notified. Within a few
minutes Detectives Pratt, Hewlett, and
Warren and a number Of the police from
the Third precinct were hurried to the
scene,