The Washington herald., 1909-08-20

A posse Of policemen last night searched
the woods bordering Military road in a
vain attempt TO capture a negro high
wayman who yesterday afternoon held up
and robbed Miss l1ilna Heinrichs and her
mother. Mrs. Emile Heinrichs. who live
at 1903 Ninth street northwest
The robbery was the boidest perpe-
trated in Washington or vicinity in years,
and the police made every effort 10 cap
ture the negro. 4 search of the country
adjacent to the scene Of the theft failed
10 reveal the hiding place Of the culprit.
for few minutes after the robbery he
disappeared in the brush.
Mai. Richard Sylvester. chief Of police.
as somewhat staggered by the boldness
the robbery. and offered SlOO reward
Il. information leading to the apprehen-
-.on Of the dusky Dick of the Highway.
! lie also personally directed the work Of
the police Of the Tenth precinct. in the
boundaries Of which the robberies oc-
CURED
Police Get Sole Clev.
The sole clew thus far obtained by the
/ police is a description OF the negro, fur
nished by Miss Heinrichs. who had am
/ pie opportunity 20 scan the features Of
/ the robber and 20 take note Of the cloth
| ing he wore. she declares she can point
out the rgeaOongm a thousand Of his
! race
] The spot where the women were stopped
/ is a short distance from the junction
I Of the Military road with Georgia ave-
/ nue.. Although lonely at times, the Nil
itary road is not considered an unsafe.
place for unescorted women. and neither
Miss Heinrichs nor her mother felt ta5
/ slightest fear Of molestation as they
stroued down the road about 3 O'CLOCK
in the afternoon, q bright sun shining
and an occasional pedestrian sauntering
past.
Mother and daughter were chatting
gaily. for both were exultng in tbs
/ balmv s"0'r-c- air after an invigoratiug
walls iarouga picturesque Rock Creek
! Park. Miss Heinrichs heard footsteps be-
hind. but talked on until a sense OF i'm
. Y llAlllA lu4llEI tLl0llE4 4lNLs CAC CLNNkEQ
! suddenly and turned.
Standing ten feet behind her. his body
poised as though for d leap. and a look
/ of surprise on his dark features was
/ young negro. whose face plainly showed
he had been arrested in the act Of leap
ing forward FOR the large handbag which
Miss Heinrichs swung TO and fro IN her
hand
] Dlsccvere- and discovered stared al
each other for the bare space Of a sec
ond. and then the negro resumed a nor<
mai position, still keeping his eyes on
I the young woman. while Miss Heinrichs
slowly turned 20 her mother and said N
a low voice 'Weu. mother. what DO you
think of that?" There was complete.
overwhelming silence. while Mrs Hein1
richs looked calmly from her daughter
! 20 the negro and back again, yairly try
/ ing TO discern the intention Of the black
man.
As though in answer to the mothers
( thoughts. the negro began speaking
he was not excited, and spoke slowly
| and distinctly. exhibiting a command OF
the English language which showed him
to be man Of education I want your
1 pocketbook." He looked toward Miss
Heinrichs. The elder woman carried no
purse.
/ sought MOAntEa AnNACEs
"ShaH I give It 70 him. mother" asked
Miss Heinrichs. trusting to the superior
wisdom Of her parent in the dilemma
Yes" said Mrs. Heinrichs. There
seems nothing else TO do The negro
( still stood I'm the spot where he stopped
when Miss Heinrichs turned and saw
( him The young woman raised her arm,
! holding out the pocketbook, and the ne
gro. advancing within two feet Of her.
reached out and took il. Outwardly
/ calm. he opened the handbag. looked
/ through the several sections OF il. and
/ drew forth three 81 bills. He overlooked
/ a small gold watch and Is cents.
( Slightly smiling, the negro closed the
handbag with a snap. and held it out %
{ Miss Heinrichs with the words, L don't
want this" His whimsical tone and de-
! meanor caused Miss IIeinrichs to laugh
The negro rolled the bills into a small
roll, placed a rubber band about them.
and put them in his pocket. Raising his
lat. he said: i bid you good day" and
turning started TO walk away.
! Her sense Of humor aroused by the aci
tions Of the negro. Miss Heinrichs said
/ 10 The retreating form, You didn't leave
me q ear ticket for my fare home The
/ negro stopped and turned back III
/ give you car ticket II YOU really want
one" and he reached in an oCtside pocket
ir his coat. drawing out several car tick
cts NO" said Miss Heinrichs, angered
1 a; the impertinent leer on the thief's face.
/ II won't take a car ticket from YOU. az
rs hich the negro turned and walked away.
/ Miss Heinrlchs knew the negro had over
/ L oked the change in the purse
/ The women watched him scattering
down the road He did not look back and
did not appear afraid OF interference.
maintaining the confident, boldly polite
attitude which had characterized the rob
i berry. With his hands in his pockets. he
walked probably POO yards and then turn
I ed to the right disappearing IN bushes
[ alongside the road
/ Mrs Heinrichs was relieved when the
/ negro vanished from sight and suggested
running toward Georgia avenue. but her
daughter said she did not think the negr1
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