Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-03-08
Beaten InseBsible and Robbed.

James Lumsden was severely beaten
over the head with club early Sunday
morning last on the Ford farm, situated
about four miles east of this town, by
Frank Burriss and robbed of $40 and left
for dead. The room in which the assault
was committed is twelve feet square 1t is
situated above harness room in the stable
and is used by Lumsden as a sleeping
apartment
About O'Clock in the morning Lums-
den was awakened by someone coming up
the steps leading to his room. He had
retired at IL O'Clock. When the intruder
opened the door of the room he found
Lumsden sitting on the side of the bed,
and at once in the dark began raining
blows upon Lumsden's head with a dog
wood club of the length of stove wood.
From the appearance of the room on Sum-
day it looked as if determined struggle had
taken place between the two men-the
furniture therein being turned topsy-turvy.
In the struggle Lumsden yelled at the top
of his voice for help he says. but could not
make himself heard by the occupants of
the main house or the two tenant houses
on the farm. all of which are located 800
yards or more from the stable. and was
finally knocked insensible and robbed of
$40, taken from his pants pocket.
The ceiling of the room is very low, and
against the joists heavy paper had been
tackled to keep out the draft. Thirty-two
holes were punched through the paper
with the club used by Burriss. It is sur
missed that the club having come into con-
tact with the low ceiling the force of the
blows was broken and thereby Lumsden's
life was saved.
Later Sunday morning Lumsden was
able to crawl down the steps from his room
and make known the assault to the men
who came to the stable to milk the cows
in the dairy, which is carried on on the
farm. Dr. Eugene Jones, of KensingtOn,
was summoned and he at once went to
the farm and dressed Lumsden's wounds
upon the head and one of his hands. the
latter had been severed in twain, reaching
nearly to the wrist One hundred and two
stitches were required TO sew up these
wounds. Lumsdens face bore not scar.
Duputy Sheriffs Hugh Townsend and
Aaron Hewitt, of this town, were notified
and went to the Ford farm. Lumsden in
formed Deputy Tow nsend, after he had
sufficiently recovered from the effects Of
the anesthetics administered to him in
or der to dress his wounds, that he had dis
covered that his assailant had on corduroy
pants, which he felt in the struggle. II
was known that Frank Burriss wore pants
made of the same material and suspicion
rested upon him. Burriss refused to 60 in
the room where Lumsden's wounds were
dressed when invited to do so, offering as
an excuse that it made him sick. after
peering through the door and seeing his
victims frightful condition. These two cir
cumstances. together with the fact. that
was later learned that Burriss on Sunday
morning early had been to Dryers store.
about two miles away, and purchased gro
ceries and paid Dryer $26 on an old ac-
count. as he had promised to do on payday.
Saturday was payday and Burriss received
in full for his wages $ll.30. fact known
to others. With these circumstances point
ing to Burriss' guilt. Sheriff Howard ar
rested him on Monday afternoon. Burriss
confessed his crime and was lodged in jail.
The remainder Of the money he stole was
found in an old stump. where he said he
hid it,
Lumsden is an unmarried Scotchman,
about as years of age and has been
employed on the Ford farm as coachman
for 20 years. He continues to improve.
Frank Burriss is a native Of this county.
having been born at Layhill He is about
80 years Of age and six feet tall. He is
married and has wife and three children.
the youngest Of which is a nursing babe.
He has been employed as farm team
ster for seven years on the Ford farm.
No trouble to give Conkey's Roup Rem.