New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-12
SHOT IN CENTRAL PARK
HOLD-UP MN ATTACKS
WALDORF PATRON.
Robert Hdlard, Wealthy English
man, ASSAULTED in Vest Wak.
Opposite 62d Street.

man clad In evening dress. about forty-ive
years old, who described himself as Robert Hill
lard. OF No. Grosvenor Place, London. Eng
land, who was staying at the Waldorf, was shot
presumably by a hold-up in the West
Walk. IN Central Park, opposite SD street.
shortly before midnight last night
The bullet entered his left chest and went out
his back between the shoulder blades He was
taken to Roosevelt Hospital where he lies in
serious condition. His assailant was not found.
The Englishman told the police that he was
robbed and shot By man whom he did not see
and could not describe. He told different stories
to various persons who talked to him, however.
and the police ara somewhat at loss yet to
know which version is correct and whether TO
attribute his confusion to the shock OF his
wound to other causes.
Hillard told Patrolman Reeves that he was
costed ly a man who asked him for match.
He said he had none, and then the man asked
for money. Meeting with refusal, Hillard said,
the man shot him.
The Englishman's pocketbook, containing let
ters and papers, but no money, was found few
yards away.
A detective from the Waldorf talked with Hill
lard in the hospital. The Englshman told him
that he was walking through the park. when he
heard a shot and fell. wounded. He told him.
the detective said that he did not see the per
who fired the shot.
Hlard told Patrolman Reeves. he sald' that
he had entered the park from 63d street, ard
the first thing he knew he was startled by the
flash of a pistol and fell Reeves thought he
remembered seeing the EngIishman in the park
about twenty minutes before. near the Seventh
avenue entrance and asked him If this was not
so. The Englishman said that he had been in
the park walking about, long enough to smoke
two cigars.
Then he said something about seeing 'ruf-
fan" jump over high wall and attack him.
The west wall of the park is high IN places
near the scene of the shooting
To Captain Farrell Of the arsenal station the
Englishman said he had intended going to
theatre near the Circle last evening. but was
too late and instead decided on walk in the
park
Two pennies and monocle were the only
things OF value found on him. No weapon was
found on him near by.
GInunto Cantona an Italian living at No. 130
West 22d street found Hillard lying on the grass
beside the walk and went TO the Circle. a few
blocks away. 10 look for policeman. He found
Patrolman Reeves, of the Arsenal station
Reeves went back with the italian, and the two
car4fed the wounded man back to Eighth ave-
nue., where they called taxicab. in which Hill
lard was removed 10 Roosevelt Hospital
At the waldorf Astoria It said that MI
Hillard had been staying there for the last rev
weeks and that he had visited the hotel every
year for the last flve years. 1t was said that he
was man OF leisure and member Of num-
Der OF exclusive London clubs.
According TO the manager OF the Waldorf,
HilIard has been in this country for several
months He came here from Denver on No
Il IN
appeared TO possess ample means. and looked
the typical healthy we'll set up, athletic Eng
lishman He gave no inklns OF his business
here and made only slight acquaintances in the
smoking room and elsewhere.
"Hillard looked" said the manager last night
well able TO take OF himself Sur
prise was expressed when it was learned that
hold-up man had got the better Of him. 1t was
said that Mr. Hillard usually took walk every
evening in the park.
When in this country. II was said, Mr.. Hlllard
spent part of his time at the Waldorf and part
in Colorado where he went hunting trips.
He was a member OF the Denver Club, OF Colo
RADIO
p. s Richardson OF London. accompanied Mr..
HiI1ard on his last visit to the Waldorf. but Mr.
Richardson returned to England recently. Mr..
HiIIard was familiar figure about the Waldorf
Cantona was held by the arsenal police until
some further attempt could be made 10
straighten out the tangles in the case. but the
poIice seem to think he is a wholly innocent
nerson who did what he could TO help the
wounded man. and knows nothing about the
shooting.
A man and girl who were sitting on
bench on the West Walk near 9th street heard
the report OF the revolver, but could not tell
Captain Farrell much more
The Arsenal police reported early this morn
ing that about six feet from the spot where
Hiuard was found cardcase was picked up ana
about fifteen feet away revolver was found IN
the grass The revolver Colts. and was