The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-01-12
FEMALE BURGLAR
FLEES AFTER SHOT
Thinks Woman Had Man Accom-
phce Who Joined Her Outside
the Gate-Dropped Black
Fur Piece in Her
Hurry.
RIG OND. va.


Surprised while she was in the act
OF forcing an entrance to the resi-
denee OF w. A. Cosby. SIC North I.ou,-
hardy Street, shortly before
midnight. a colOred woman was fired
upon by Mr.. Cosby
AT about the hour named Mr.. Cosby
was awakened by the sound OF some
one rattling a side window. Procur-
ing pistol which was under his pill
low Where he is wont to keep the
weapon at nights, he threw up a win
COW overlooking the rear yard and
peered into the darkness.
Who Is there2" he called.
An answer was not forthcoming. al
thoush Mr.. Cosby could see a form
Srouchlng in the darkness against the
house. While he was watching the
form moved slightly.
manded.
Still there was no response. Step
ping back a few PAGES. but without
taking his eye or the crouching form
Mr.. Cosby pressed n button that food
ed with light a downstairs room d.
rectIy outside OF which his visitor was
pressed against the house.
As the woman, who Mr.. Cosby still
thought was a man. was directly be-
meath window, the sheen of the
light from a cluster Of electric bulbs
was thrown directly upon her.
AT the same time the figure made a
break as II to get beyond the range
OF the light. AS the figure darted out
from its place of concealment Mr..
Cosby blazed away.
For Gods sake, don't shoot" came
In woman's terrified voice.
Not until j heard the entreaty did
know that my target was a woman. -
Mr.. Cosby told a Journal reporter to-
Fortunately for the woman. Mr..
Cosby's aim was not of the best.
Halt. or TN shoot TO kill" Mr..
Cosby shouted.
Without paying the slightest heed
10 the warning, the woman made a
oash Tor the back gate. through which
she passed hurriedly. dropping a black
fur neckptece in her hurry This was
( found by the peIice and is being held
at the Second Police Station BY this
( the police hope 10 identify the wo-
man.
Mr.. Cosby believes the woman was
Joined by an accomplice. probably a
( man. in the alley. as he is confident
( he saw two figures, instead OF one.
! run down the alley and disappear in
/ the darkness
Mr. Cosby was able to furnish a
/ fairly accurate description Of the wo-
man, but averred that he was afraid
he would be unable 10 positively iden-
ufy her were he brought face to face
With her. The woman is described by
MIR. Cosby as rather short OF stature
and very black
AS soon as I discovered that nv
visitor was woman I ceased firing.
Mr.. Cosby said. Had the burglar
been man 7 would have blazed away
until / had either brought him down
or exhausted my ammunition"
IL is believed that the woman was
working on the window with what
IS known In police parlance az a
Jimmy, an instrument used for rails
Ing window sashes. as the under frame
or the lower sash gave evidence OF
having been bruised. Invariably the
catch securing the window iS-broken.
Shortly after the attempt to bur
giarize the Cosby residence. someone
Iorcibly entered. by similar means.
the residence OF Mrs. Virginia VII
liams. $50 South Lombardy Street.
and within n few blocks or the scene
or the first depreciation. In this latter
instance the miscreant was slightly
more successful. securing an overcoat-
shlrtwaist and skirt
The attempt 10 burgiarize the home
OF MT. Cosby was reported 10 the po-
lice a few minutes afterwards Mr..
Cosby is manager for the Cohen Com
pany.
The residence Of ]. W. Redman. III
North Twentieth Street, was entered
last night and trunk was broken
open and two pictures were stolen.
DR.. O. A. Ezekiel reported to the
police this morning that his office In
the Shenandoah Flats was burglartzed
sometime last night
A turkey and four hens were stolen
from 1911 East Clay Street last night
other robberies committed last night
reports OF which have been made 20
the police. follow: John Manus l4I4
East Main Street a watch and SO:
l. l. Smith. lis North Seventh Street
suitcase containing underwear. books
and a silver spray