The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-06-30
WOMAN ATTACKED
BY Burnley NEGRO
Screams Bring Assistance and
Her Assailant Escapes Without
Identity, Taking OF Lady's
Hat That Fell From
Her Head.


X g Ii Nj . n ID, As D c a l.
Within a block ard a half OF the
spot where she had only a minute
before left her husband, and while
the streets were still alive with peo-
pie, Mrs. Matte Van Diem, a decidedly
pretty young woman Of twenty sum-
mers, whose residence is at 10 North
Fifth Street, was attacked by a ne
gro Monday night about II o'clock, but
aside from a severe shock and several
minor bruises, she escaped unframed.
Mrs. Van Diem was on her way
nome, having only a moment before
LETT her husband, r. H. Van Diem, at
the corner OF Fifth and Broad Streets
When nearing the alley on the east
side of Fifth Street, between Grace
and Franklin Streets, she observed
the negro approaching from the oppo-
site side of the street.
Having no thought of danger, she
was not in the least apprehensive. and.
other than a casual glance at the man,
she paid no further attention to him.
AS the negro neared her, and as,
she thought he was about to push on
into the mouth of the alley. she was
grabbed about the neck and borne to
the ground.
What happened within the space OF
the next few minutes is best told in
the language of the young woman.
My first thought upon being at
tackled" she said to a Journal report
er this morning, was to free myself,
which Immediately set about to do.
The negro had thrown one arm
about my neck and was trying to
choke me into insensibility, while with
the other hand he tried to prevent
me from screaming by holding 1t over
my mouth.
Whether he threw me to tine
ground, or whether we both fell dur
ing the tussle, 1 am unable to say. My
senses seemed to leave me through
fright. and L am surprised that / had
the presence of mind to scream"
The screams of the young woman
scene. the negro taking fright and
quickly disappearing into the dark
ness of the alley.
Mrs. Van Diem says that she was so
frightened that she doesn't know
whether the negro attempted to drag
her into the alley or not.
The victim of the negroes desperate
attack would impress one as being
fully capable of taking care of herself
under ordinary circumstances.
Had the attack occurred in broad
daylight under which circumstance L
don't believe 1 would have permitted
believe 1 could have displayed even
more resistance she confidently told
The suddenness of the attack took
me entirely of my guard, and so un-
nerved me that L am surprised that
! ui9 not rare even more roughly at his
Mrs. Van Diem is an athletic looking
young woman, and one who apparent
~ could attest her proves in a salts
factory manner were she given time
to prepare herself for an attack.
The young woman carries "a painful
looking wound on her right arm, where
she came into contact with the cobble-
stones when she fell to the ground In
throwing his hand over her mouth the
negro got one of his fingers between
mouth.
In the struggle Mrs. Van Diem lost
her hat from her head, which the ne
gro grabbed and made of with in his
flight
The negro is said to have been about
six feet tall and of dark complexion
He wore dark clothing and a black
hat, and was shabby looking
The matter was reported to the no.
lice, and Detective Sergeant Wiley has
been detailed on the case
The Van Diens removed to this CITY
from Atlanta, Ga, less than month
ago. Mr.. Van Diem is a "multigrapher'
and came TO Richmond fO- the pur-
pose OF engaging in business here
Mrs. Van Diem is 4 strikngly hand
some woman and is charming con-
verSationalist.