The Washington herald., 1909-06-07
FARMER ASSAULTED
ON CHAIN BRIDGE
Edward Martin Held Up and
Robbed in Daylight.
TWO HIGHwAYMEN OPERATE
Watch and Money Recovered by
Boys, Who Catch Thieves and Al
low Them TO Escape-ChnrIeS W.
Brown Arrested and Held on Sus-
Picion at seventh Precinct Station.

Edward Martin. a farmer. forty-elght
years old. is the victim OF the boldest
highwaymen who have operated in the
vicinity OF the Chain Bridge IN years.
While crossing a little rustic bridge
about 200 yards from the Virginia end Of
Chain Bridge yesterday morning Martin
was attacked by two men. lie was beaten
until almost unconscious and then robbed
The highwaymen were captured while
running across the bridge. but their cap
tors allowed them 10 go after. recovering
the money and watch taken from Martin.
A man supposed 10 be one Of the high
waymen was later arrested. and is held
at the Seventh precinct police station
Lives Near Bridge.
Martin lives with his wife and children
on farm about mile from the Virginia
end Of the span. He left home about 10
o'clock 10 go TO the bridge. where he ex-
pected to purchase bunch Of fish for
dinner.
The farmer was approaching a bridge
across a brook about 200 yards from
Chain Bridge when two men joined him.
The men were rough looking. and Martin
did not care 70 have them for companions.
He started TO quicken his pace and leave
the men. but one Of them caught him by
the arm and said: say. pard. got any
money!"
Yes" replied Martin; I've got 80
cents and I'm going down 10 the river to
buy a bunch OF fish"
mo you're not" replied one OF the high
waymen. as he struck Martin a blow in
the face. The man who hit Martin was
larger than his companion. He is more
than six feet tall and weighs nearly 200
pounds. Martin was felled by the blow
from the ironlike fist. The smaller OF
the two thieves then fell on top Of Mar
ton and dexterously went through the
farmers pockets, removing all his money.
Sl.5o and a watch.
Making sure he left nothing on the
farmer, the man rose from the PROSTATE
body. Martin jumped 10 his feet and
grappled with the thief Throwing his
arms about the mans neck. Martin tried
10 trip his antagonist. and would probably
have succeeded had not the large man
picked up a stone and dealt the farmer a
blow on the back Of the head. Martin
fell, and the men ran.
He was only stunned By the blow and
regained Consciousness in time 10 see the
highway ymen disappearing around a bend
in the road. Help, help. helpr' cried
Martin in a loud voice. trying 10 rise to
his feet. He knew the woods about were
thronged with pleasure seekers. Hundreds
Of persons had passed the spot at differ
ent times during the day but at the time
Of the robbery there was 20 one In
sight.
Boys to the Rescue.
Edward and Mack Marcy. two young
men who live near by. we're walking be-
side the brook which runs beneath the
bridge where the assault occurred. Hear
ing cries for help, they ran 10 the road
and found Martin lying face upward in
the dust Two men took my money and
watch. gasped Martin TO the young men
They are running across the bridge he
continued, pointing to Chain Bridge.
The Marcy brothers are athletic fell
lows. and they started without delay
in pursuit OF the highwaymen. They saw
the thieves running at top speed across
the bridge and caught them before they
reached the Maryland end.
Hey, therew called the brothers. as
they gained on the escaping highwaymen.
were deputy sheriffs. and we want that
watch and money
The meE stopped. and after parleying
few seconds agreed TO give up the watch
and money if they we're allowed 10 go.
The boys agreed. and the stolen property
was handed over TO them. The men start
ed running again and disappeared IN the
the Old Dominion and Cabin John Bridge
lines
The Marcy brothers returned TO Mar
tin and assisted him across the bridge
Martin was bleeding from a wound in the
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