The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-23
Figured Prominently Last
July in Coat Of Tar
Process.
WATCH AND MONEY
STOLEN LAST NIGHT
Tells Police of Going Into Saloon
and Having Knockout
Drops" Given Him.

Francis +. Bliss, IT.. who was given
coat Of tar and beaten by two men
only July q last, in the basement Of
the house It 1917 Kenyon street north
west. walked into Police Headquarters
at o'clock this morning aud said that
he had been given Knockout drops"
while IN a saloon in z street northwest
last night and robbed OF a gold watch
and So ia cash.
Bliss said that he lost consciousness
after a round or drinks early i'm the
evening. and when he came to this
morning he was on an East Capitol
street car. He got of the car AT
judiciary Square ana came Immediately
To headquarters. where he reported the
case "a Lieutenant Peck, in charge OF
the Detective Bureau at night.
According 20 the story told by Bliss,
the experiences ne had last night al
most rival those on Ihe day that he
was given the coat OF .ar Bliss look
ed rather the worse for wear this morn
ing, and although he admitted having
talleI- several drinks during the even
ing, he showed signs OF having been
roughly handled By the pe-syat or per
sons who are supposed TO have dTuEged
him. His hat was missing, his clothes
were torn, and there were several
bruises on his face.
Is Business Man.
Bliss is a member OF the firm Of Bliss,
Albrecht d Co, paper rulers, Of Bal
umore and Washington. The company
has offices IN this city in the HutchiHs
building, Tenth and J. streets north
west Before his adventure with the
coat OF tar he lived IN Kenyon street,
To.
boarding near his Office. Two days ago
he eusg sed a room over the Merry
Widow lunch room. in K street. between
Ninth and Tenth streets northwest
Bliss occupied the room with John r
Robinson, formerly his business partner.
Intending 10 50 L.lillr.g~e ou the
$50 train. Bliss lefs the lodging house
yesterday afternoon, IN company with
one OF the other rOOmess. The two went
10 a saloon in TLirteeltl street, and
from there went 90 q sOlOOn near Thir-
teenth and + streets.
Sitting down at a table. Bliss says
that he invited man 20 have q drink.
A young woman. VINO was also IN the
room. joined the party.
I'VE had several drinks" said Bliss,
'aud when ] looked at my watch 10
was too late TO catch the $50 train. I
decided to stay over until the $3.50 train.
minutes past 9. when the man who was
with me paid for a TO nd OF drinks. 1
must have lost consciousness then, be
cause ] can not recall anything that
happened until I found myself on the
street car this morning
Had Several Drinks.
while we had four or possibly FIVE
drinks, I am sure it was not the liquor
that affected me. There was certainly
something in the last d-in'- that put me
10 sleep. I have no idea how I got on
the car or where / spent the night"
Bliss said that he had frequently Wis
tied the saloon where ne says he got
The knockout drops" He said he
knew the man fairly well who invited
him to have a drink. He also knew the
woman In the party. and he seemed
positive that none of the persons sit
ting at the table gave him the drug.
Central Office Detect.-e Baur was as
signed TO the case and is making an in
VestigatiOu. Bliss accompanied the de-
tective this morning 10 the places he
visited last night
Lured To the house ar 1917 Kenyon
street northwest last July by a teIe-
phone message, Bliss says, he W. s
given a coat Of tar and a beating 3y
two men, while a third stood by ana
prevented his escape from the room
the police arrested Charles AIarthinson.
sixty-two years of age, a wealthy lum-
Der broker; James L White, sixty
years Of age. and Henrv G. Cole, -nir.v-
hve years old Arraigued in the Pc.ice
Court, the men demanded q trial bv
jury, and were released IN the sum OF
81 500 each. The case viii probably be
called next month.
Former Experience.
According 20 information gathered bv
the police, Bliss had been a recuIar
visitor at the 8Iarthinson home. Bliss
said that he was called up on the telc-
phone BIZ a woman who told him 10
come to the house Immediately. He was
let in at the basement door. Marthiu-
son, White and Cole. he says, were n
the cellar, and pot OF tar had been
prepared.
Ain of the parties concerned promised
sensational developments, when the case
should be called.
Ths police say that the attack On,
8liss was made because Of his ALLEGED
attentions to Mrs. MarthinsOn FIiSS
at the time claimed that an engagernen+
existed between himself and NJ
MarthinSon, and that he went to me
house tS keep an appointment with ms
prospectiVe bride. How IL was thai
Mrs. Marthinson and Bliss expected -
he married was never explained RTrs
Marthinson refused to make anv state
ment-