Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-08-19
Joseph Hoops, Of 0rlana, Set Upon
and Severely Beaten.
FRIGHTENED Off BY pAssERsBY
Timely Appearance Of Men, With Lam
tern Causes Negro Highwaymen to
Depart, Leaving Behind Victims
Watch and Money.


negroes shortly after o'clock last
night, Joseph Hoops. an elderly man
Of Oriana, Warwick county, cniy es-
capped serious injury and the loss OF
his money and valuables by the APP
pearance of three white men whose
approach frightened the negroes or.
The negroes assaultd Hoops in =
dark spot on Twenty-fourth street
and the railroad tracks, severely
beating him about the head. knocked
him down and then dragged him to a
spot where number Of empty beer
kegs belonging to brewing company
were stacked. Evidently their pur-
pose was robbery. bu. they were
frightened OF by the three men who
were crossing the railroad tracks and
coming in their direction. They cniy
discovered the approach of the men
through lantern one Of them car
ried, as that part of the city is ex-
tremely dark and ii would have been
impossible for them to have discern
ed the mems approach had they not
had a light
Money and Watch Saved.
Hoops, who had something in the
neighborhood of $50 and gold watch
in his pocket, lost nothing, but he was
cut about the head and suffered other
injuries. Mr.. Hoops thinks that one
of the men struck him with some
kind of heavy instrument.
That the negroes made no haste in
leaving their victim even after they
saw the approach Of the three men
was testified TO by a young man who
refused to give his name, but who
was the first to reach Mr. ncops az
ter the latter had been assaulted. The
young man in question stated that IN
going east on Twenty fourth street
between Virginia avenue and the
railroad tracks he passed two negroes,
one young mulatto and the other
dark heavy set man apparently
slightly older than his companion.
The negroes. he said. made some re-
mark to him, but he took no notice o.
il. They had hardly passed him be-
fore he stumbled over something on
the sidewalk and upon striking
match found Hooks lying on his back
In a dazed condition. BY this time
the three men coming from the otner
direction arrived and took charge OF
Hoops, while the young man ran TO
a telephone and communicated WITT
the police.
OGicer Smith and Parrish hurried
to the scene and took Hoops IN
charge. Though still rather dazed,
he at once recognized officer Smith
whom he had formerly known. and
tcld him the story Of the assault
Hocps was taken TO the station house
where his head was washed ana
dressed after which he went to his
hotel.
Couldn't Cope With Negroes.
Mr. Hoops is a man of fifty-five or
sixty years OF age, and was entire
IL unable to cope with the three
men. though he defended himself the
best he could until knocked down oy
the blow on his temple which he
thinks was done with heavy instru-
ment
On arrival at the station house. Mr..
Hoops plainly showed signs OF the
struggle. His clothing was torn IN
places. the wound on the side OF MS
head was bleeding freely and his face.
scratched in several places, bore
silent evidence that he had oeeh
brutally dealt with.
According to Mr.. Hoops he came
to town yesterday morning and han
inst concluded his business and was
returning to his hotel when the men
accosted him. They made some re-
mark ne said. and without further
delay ali three jumped on him strik-
ing him in the face severa! times
before he was finally knocked down
Mr. Hoops said he made an out cry
but IL was not heard by any CT the
men who were in the vicinity He
did not lose unconsciousness at any
time. though he was completely daz-
Cd The man who FIRST found Mr..
Hoops states that he passed only two
negroes. but Mr. Hoops IS sure thar
there we're three in the crowd. What