The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-12
Miss EStelle P. Farrant,
Choked on Porch, Fights
for Her Life.
HIS HANDS AT HER THROAT,
JABS WEAPON IN HIS FACE
Screams for Help Despite Death
Threat-Neighbors Scour
the Neighborho0d.

Miss Estelle P. Farrant, the we'll
known professional soprano, daughter
OF John Farrant, a prominent lodge
covering today from the shock that at
tended the attack made upon her by
an unknown negro as she sat alone on
the porch of her home shortly before II
o'clock last night.
The rufflan seized her by the neck,
make an outcry or he would kill her.
The pretty young woman, however,
cried to her sister, who was sitting on
a couch In the parlor, and seized large
hatpin from her hat, which was In a
rocker near the one In which she was
seated. and thrust the sharp point into
her assailant's cheek.
Miss Farrant, who was a member of
the prince of Pilsen" company and
who played parts in al Trovatore," :"
and also took part in vaudeville. had
not been through the test of heroine
on the stage, but her experience last
night demonstrated that she was quail
ikoo luz tAlxas patb d45o.
Wore valuable JeweIry.
Miss Farrant rehearsed with one Of
Henry Savage's new plays, and expects
soon to make the circuit. She returned
from Brighton Beach a few days ago,
and last night went to e. nearby sta
tionery store, and on her return sat
in rocker on the porch. The house is
at the southwest corner of Astor street,
and there Is an electric light on the
opposite corner.
Miss Farrant removed her hat, but
kept on her coat, and thus hid a dia-
mond brooch, gold watch and chain
and gold bracelet. In addition, she had
several rings on her fingers.
Mr.. Farrant was attending meeting
of Howard Lodge, Herbert Farrant, a
brother was out also for the evening.
= The negro leaped up the front steps
onto the porch and seized the girl with
both his hands and then threatened her.
In the struggle the rocker upset and
this compelled the negro to release his
hold. and Miss Farrant cried to her
sister for help and seized the hatpin.
When she thrust "woman's weapon
into her assailant's cheek the man beat
a hastv retreat. He ran south on Penn
svlyania avenue. and the police believe
he ESCAPED through the Lehigh Valley
railroad.
When Mr. Farrant returned he
secuted the entire neighborhood with
Ronndsman Stilman and q squad of
police. and the singers brother searched
the freight yard throughout the night
with a shotgun.
Miss Farrant's Own story
Miss Farrant is an attractive blonde
with pretty light blue eyes and pleas
ing personality. When seen by an
EVENING STAR reporter today she
was inclined at first to be reticent but
finally said:
"rm glad Tn alive today, for the
way that fellow came at me last night
was enough to scare any one to death.
had to think quick, and did. cried
10 my sister for help and got my hatpin
into action, and that took the starch
out of him."
Miss Farrant said the fellow ap-
neared to be about 25 years old. well
built and wore a dark suit and brown
derby hat.
Herbert Farrant said that IL he had
laid eyes on the fellow who attacked
his sister he would have shot to kill.
Miss Farrant is 20 years old and
made her debut In professional circles
two years ago in this city.
CAPTAIN Carroll has assigned several
Of his men to investigate the attack.