Evening star., 1908-01-26
ROBBED BY FoOTPAD.
Woman Loses Handbag and About
Ten Dollars,

The handbag of Mrs. Margaret R. Welch
of 626 s street southwest was torn from
her grasp shortly after 10 O'Clock last
night by d bold negro footpad while she
was passing through the Mall from, the
Center Market on her way home.
When Mrs. Welch realized the purpose
of her assailant, she uttered scream after
scream and attraced number of park
watchmen. policeman and citizens in an
incredibly short time, but not before the
footpad succeeded in making his escape.
AS soon as the gathering crowd realized
that another holdup had occurred there
was great Indignation expressed, and had
d suspect been under arrest he would
have probably Jared badly with it.
For fully an hour after the hod-up men
in groups stood about 7th street. and In
close proximity to the Mall angrily dis
cussng the great number of recent hold
ups. The Red murder had evidently
aroused strong feeling.
In speaking of the robbery last night,
Mrs. Welch, who Is the vile of William P.
Welch, an empioye of the navy yard,
said:
Il was returning from the Center Mar
ket with my little nephew. Bernard Wat
son. ten years old, carrying my handbag
with IS or $40 in 1t in my left hand. and
market bag in my right. We struck
through the Mall to save distance. and
just as we reached the watchhouse up
toward 9th street, / instinctively felt
some one approach me from behind. The
first thing [ knew was a vicious tug at
the bag and turning, saw d negro crouch
ing by my side pulling at the bag again
and again.
Il screamed and called for help several
times, and all the while the man kept
silently pulling at the bag. He never ut
tered a word, and that scared me more.
AS l screamed a fifth sixth time the
handle gave way. and l grabbed him by
he coat. He gave me push and then
pulled against me with ali his strength,
breaking my hold, and started in dead
run toward 7th street.
He ran across the lawn south. and dis
appeared in the vicinity of where the
Pennsylvania passenger tracks We're
NO. | am not hurt. When he pulled
away from me ! fell and bruised my left
arm and shoulder"
The first to respond TO Mrs. Welch's
cries were Policema Lynch and Special
Officer Miles. who started i'll pursuit of
the highwayman. but gave up the chase
after crossing the old railroad tracks
without results. Others made a search of
the neghborhood for half an hour after
the robbery
An excellent description of tho man
was obtained from Mrs. Welch, who says
she is certain she can identify him
Within a comparatively short time the
news of the holdup and the description
of the robber were sent to the several pre-
cincts, and from TO & men from the
fourth, second, sixth and first precinct
stations. in addition to Detectives Pratt
and Hewlett of the central office, were
securing the city for the guilty man.
Orders were issued promptly and quick
ly by Maj. Sylvester, who gave specific
instructions that every effort be made 10
apprehend the co!ored man. 1t was
stated by the superintendent OF poilce
that the $40 reward offered in similar
cases would be paid for information lead
ng 10 the arrest and conviction OF the
man who committed the robbery.
At a late hour this morning James
ChaSc colored, was arrested at 10th street
3n.I Pennsylvania avenue BY Officer Hart
man of tile first precinct. He was con-
vcyed to tha home Of Mrs Nelch, VINO
1T once declared II was the man who
took her pocketbook, but later she ex-
pressed some doubt about the identilica-
tion, ana Chase was locked up.