Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-23
HELD AS H|CHWAYMAN
Two Serious Charges Here
Against Walter Ford.
THREE WOMEN ACCUSERS
Wanted in Maryland for Alleged
Assault on Girl.
CAUGHT INSIDE DISTRICT LINE
Pursued by Enraged Farmers When
Arrested and May Be Taken Back.
Has Criminal Record.

Walter Ford the twenty -six-year-old
negro who was held at the ninth precinct
station last night, charged with an at
tempt to assault Florence Harvey, at
Landover. Nd, yesterday was before
Judge Kimball today. United States At
torney Ralph Given conducted a prelimi-
nary hearing against him, in which Min
ME F. Heinrichs. 1909 9th street, accused
the negro of highway robbery. and one in
which Ford is accused of an assault upon
Minnie B. Wilson, colored, of 1859 Pierce
place.
Ford was held in 81. 600 bond for the
alleged highway robbery, and after waiv-
ing an examination in the Wilson mat
ter was held for the grand jury under
So. 600 bond
The matter is now in such position that
Mr.. Given. United States Attorney Baker
conference to find out which jurisdiction
has the strongest evidence for the two
charges of attempted assault. Which
ever court seems to have the strongest
case will try Ford first.
Deputy Sheriff Garrison of Prince
George county, Nd. telephoned a request
to Inspector Boardman, acting chief Of
police, this morning for the delivery OF
Ford. but because of the threats that
were made against the life of the pris-
oner last night the Maryland officer was
informed that he would have to obtain
a requisition for him. He said he would
take steps toward getting the requisition
without delay. having already arranged
to lay the matter before States Attorney
Hampton Magruder at Upper Marlboro.
Escaped Into District.
Yesterdays affair in Maryland aroused
the residents of the vicinity of I.andover,
and 1t was openly stated that summary
- xt.x
capture Of the negro in the county. but
Ford got across the District line before
he was caught Even then. it is be-
lieved. an effort would have been made
by some of the excited Marylanders to
offer personal violence, but there was no
certainty about his identity until he
reached the ninth precinct police station
and was turned over to Lieut.. Falvey.
About ten farmers. one Of them .
relative Of Miss Harvey, reached the sta
tion last night after the prisoner had,
was later identified by the girl. and asked
that the prisoner be turned over to them.
They left when told that he would not be:
IF you let us have him.. stated one OF
the party of men who seemed anxious to
get the prisoner. I'VE will make short
work of him."
You will not get him. replied the lieu
tenant. nor will you get an opportunity
to modest him while he is here"
The police Of the ninth precinct had
heard part Of the story of the assault in
Maryland at the time they were requested
to arrest Ford, and later. when Miss Har-
vey reached the station. she repeated the
entire story Of what had happened to her
On the road, her version Of the affair CIV
ing the police the impression that Ford's
motive was other than robbery, although
he declared his only purpose was to rob
her. He displayed wounds he had re-
ceived by being bitten by Miss Harvey
while the latter was making a desperate
resistance. and the young lady also ex-
hibited evidence Of violence about her
throat where he had choked her.
Identified by Miss Harvey.
When Miss Harvey reached the police
station she was cautioned not to say any,
thing when she entered the room where
Lieut.. Falvey had the prisoner. When
she had taken q good look at him Lieut..
Falvey asked: lis he the man who as
saulted you?"
Yes, SIR responded the young lady.
''he is the man.
''And is this the young woman with
ant asked, turning In the direction Of the
prisoner
The prisoner admitted she was
Miss Harvey related her version of the
affair while at the police station. She
said:
Il was on my way to my cousins home
from the post Office, where I had been to
get some postal cards and stamps, and
had proceeded about a quarter Of a mile
when a negro jumped at me. He grabbed
me by the hands, dragged me into the
woods on the roadside and tried to en-
brace me. 1 began to scream and fight.
He continued to hold my hands. trying to
grip both of mine in one of his own. This
l prevented by biting him.
Il first bit him on one of the fingers OF
the left hand. When I did this he grab
bed me with the other and / Immediately
sank my teeth in a finger on that. When
I did this he released his hold on my
hands and struck me in the mouth with
his fist. This blow felled me, but did not
knock me unconscious, and I continued
to scream.
Arrival of Rescuers.
when l fell the negro gripped his
fingers about my throat, shutting off my
breath. l attempted to again reach his
hands with my teeth, but the harder L
struggled the tighter he gripped my
throat.
Just as I feared 1 was going to lose
consciousness / heard voices, and two
strangers came up and drove the negro
away. / then was carried to the depot.
and Mr.. Sheriff. the station agent. notified
my cousin. 1 then was taken II the hor'
of my friend. Mrs. George Wells. between
Lanoover and Glenua.e. where L st.y,,
until father, the physician and Mr.. Sheriff
came along and told me had to go to
Washington and identify the negro"
Ford's statement to a Star reporter was
substantially the same that told By
his victim. He said he left his home 22ai
9th street, yesterday. and went to Prince
George county to see a coiored woman
named Matte Smith. He found a woman
named Matte Smith. he said, but she was
not the one he knew.
II was returning home. as / thought,
although was going in the wrong direc-
tion,' said Ford. when I saw the girl
on the road. She had some cards In her
hand. and something green that thought
was money. and tried to get 1t.
He exhibited prints of his victims teeth
in his fingers and scratches on his fore
head.
she held me so tight by my finger"
said the prisoner. that l had to strike
her and knock her down..
Arrested In the District.
Messages sent along the line Of the
tracks Of the Pennsylvania railroad re-
suited in the arrest of Ford. Mr.. Sheriff.
ticket agent at Landover, telephoned the
of the affair along the line
Harvey J. Mills Of kenilworth. an en-