New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-05

WOMAN CHARGES "TAXI"
WEN NTH CRIME.
Bundled Into CAB, Taken Up to
Vest DriUe. Beaten and
Robbed.

Inc amazing details of what is said to be ono
ol ehe most daring crimes that have come TO the
attention OF the police in many months were un-
folded yesterday evening" when detectives ar
rested William L. Curzon. twenty-six years old.
chauffeur OF No. 157 West 66th street This
victim IS Mrs Irene Wright of No 213 East
ooth street who told the police that Curzon,
with the aid of two other men. took her to tbs
west Drive in Central Park yesterday morning
and attacked and robbed her.
Curzon was removed Immediately to Police
headquarters. where he was put through a
searching examination. after which. it is said.
ne confessed his guilt He declared that he was
employed by the New York Taxcab Company
Detectives Barber and Hagarty meantime made
search Of all the city garages. and within two
hours had taken into custody chauffeur who
said he was William H. Young, twenty years old.
or No. 10 West 65th street He also according
to the police. confessed taking part in the rob-
berry and assault
Mrs Wright told the police how the attack
upon her was made in broad daylight on a
public driveway and in public conveyancs.
She declared she thrown from the taxlcab.
after being robbed of S25. and lay stunned In
the roadway for many minutes before assistancs
came to her She had spent Tuesday night at
the home of sick friend. Mrs. Cain. OF No. 81
West S6th street She remained there until
after daybreak, and then walked 20 34th street
and Broadway. TO take crosstown car.
ASKED TO RIDE IN TAXI"
While the woman was standing on the corner
! the taxicab came TO stop before her. Curson.
she alleges. asked her If she would not hire his
machine TO take her home. setting price of so
cents for the trip. She entered the nachine and
settled back without suspicion. until she becans
alarmed. upon looking out OF the window. to
discover that she was speeding through a
wooded section.
Mrs. Wright leaned from the window and
asked the chauffeur where she was being taken.
She then discovered there were two other men
on the front seat with Curzon She again de-
manded TO know where she was. whereupon
Curzon and his companions stopped the car and
assaulted and robbed her, she says The terrified
woman struggled desperately. but her strength
was no match for theirs and she soon over
powered
Fighting there. in the half gloom thrown by
the trees. Mrs. Wright thought she was TO be
murdered. and screamed at the top of her voice.
The men stihed her cries and then took the s25
from her stocking. in the meanwhile raining
blows upon her face and body according TO her
story, After the alleged robbery the woman
was dragged almost unconscious from the car
/ and left in the roadway
I NuIe MIS- WItSnI tdY stunned III the road
her assaiIants entered the machine and speedei
away. The point where she had been attacked
was near ssth street which is much used both
by automobilists and the crosstown cars of the
S6th street line. In about half an hour touring
car. in which were two men and two women.
drove BY and when they saw the cut and bleed
ing woman they jumped from the car and lifted
her into the tonneau.
WEAK FROM HER EXPERIENCE
Mrs. Wright says she did not learn the names
OF her rescuers. but they carried her to Tooth
street. where she left them. after one Of the
men had given her Carfare TO get home When
she staggered up the steps of her home Mrs.
Wright was weak from the blows she had re-
ceived and her face was cut and swollen. She
was met at the door by her husband. TO whom
she recited her experiences. He dressed hastily
and hurried with her to Police Headquarters.
where she repeated her story.
After the detectives had received detailed de-
scription of the men she alleged attacked and
robbed her they went to the garage of the New
York Taxicab Company. where they inspected
all the machines. The victim Of the assault had
remembered four of the figures of the cars
license number. which were 4S91. and IL was
learned that the taxcab bearing the numerals
"4S972' was operated on Tuesday night by
Curzon He was arrested at Broadway and 6sth
street while Young was found near the same
spot
According to the police Young's confession
amply corrobOrated Mrs. Wright's story. He as
serted say TIE detectives. that he and Curzon
had decided 10 work the same game at Coney
Island if they were successful with their first
victim Young also told the detectives. they al
Iege that Curzon and he took only 81 from Mrs.
Wright and I'm this he was borne out by Cur
zon's statement.
When Curzon was examined by the police hs
declared he had wealthy sister in Colombia.
Central America and he trying to get to-
gether enough money to join her there. He also
said he was Farley strike breaker. and came
here when the chauffeurs were on strike last
fall Both men confessed. according to the po-
lice that had il not been for the desperate
struggle made by YRS. Wright in the tonneau
of the taxicab she would have been the victim OF
far worse treatment at their hands.
Inspector McCafferty in charge of the Do
tective Bureau at Headquarters. ordered squad
of his best men to search the city from the Bat
terry to Harlem for traces of the third man in
the taxiCab