New-York tribune., 1910-04-13
SEEK NIGHT ASSA|lANTS
Improver of Village of Hastings
Struck Down en- Porch.
THREE MEN MADE ATTACK
Well Dressed, They Rode UP in
an Automobile and Made No
Attempt to Rob Victim.

The Village Improvement Society of
Hastings -on-the-H Hudson began an in
vestigation yesterday into the circum-
stances surrounding a mysterious night
attack on J. II. House. jr., one of the
leading members of the association, who
was attacked by three men on Monday
night and left unconscious on the porch
of his home Robbery was not the mo-
tive. for Mr.. House lost nothing. The
mer rode to Locust Hill. the home of
Mr. House. in an automobile. They were
all we'll dressed. and there is no idea on
the part of those seeking them that they
will prove to be ordinary highwaymen
or burglars.
Mr. House had by no means recovered
when he saw his counsel, Lord. Day &
Lord. He did not name his assailants.
but did say that immediate action would
be taken to bring about their arrest.
Mr.. House is among the militant mem
hers of the Improvement Society or
Hastings, and on Saturday was present
at a meeting which was called to pro-
said was the "encroachment of a cor
poration on the public rights of the
township" At about the time OF the
meeting Mr.. House, according TO his
statement, became engaged in dispute
with f. S. Perot. president OF the Ma
tionaI Conduit and Gable Company.
This company has factory in the vii
lage.
The men became excited during the
controversy. and il is said the lie was
passed. Mr.. House told his lawyers that
he demanded an apology from Mr.. Perot,
and on the latter's refusal to take back
what he was alleged to have said Mr..
House delivered a well aimed blow at
Mr.. Perot. This was the beginning of
general fight. which was finally stopped
by mutual friends.
Mr.. House, who is an architect, with
offices at No. Ill Broadway. was at his
home in Hastings on Monday night
when a tall, heavy set young man called
and asked the maid for personal in
teryiew with him. He said that MS
business was urgent, and that he pre-
ferred to meet Mr. House on the porch.
He declined an invitation 10 go into the
library.
Are you Mr.. HOUse?" asked inc
visitor. as the architect appeared at the
door. Then he caught him by the arm
and dragged him from the porch, clos
ing the door Two men emerged tron'
the shadow of the porch. The men had
nothing to say, but set upon Mr.. House
with their fists and gave him terrible
beating. which soon left him helpless.
THAT will do. 1 guess we had bet
ter 60" said one of the men, as ne
beckoned to his partners 10 leave the
Dlace. A. few minutes later the men,
hers of the architects family heard an
rattle down the road Wnen
Mrs House came TO her husbands re-
lief the men had disappeared A high
hedge skirts the grounds, and this, kept
her from seeing who was in the auto
mobile.
The attack was so swift and sudden
that Mr.. House had no time 10 make an
outcry. There was little noise as the
strange visitors carried their victim 70
the lawn. where they were shielded oy
the darkness. Mr.. House had his race
battered, and several ugly cuts on MS
head showed that he was lucky TO es-
cape a fractured skull.
Although the village police were
hunting for the three men within an
hour. they lost the trail at the point
where the automobile had been wait
ing. Mr.. Houses lawyers said they
were sure the assailants were not high
wavmen or robbers. They promised
investigation.
Mr.. Perot was not at his office, at No.
Il Park Row. yesterday afternoon. His
home is in Yonkers. AT his office IL
was said that nothing had been heard
of tho quarrel which MIR House said
took place on Saturday.