New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-27
DISGUISED IN SKIRTS,
SPR|NTER ROBS WOMEN
Busy Footpad Terrorizes White
Plains by Many Daring
Street HOId-UpS.
ESCAPES BY FINE RUNNING
Reaped Harvest in Christmas
Crowds, Knocking Down Vic
Tins and Completely Baf-
fling Efforts of Police.

A highwayman who has been mas
querading In woman's attire and rob-
bling women OF White Plains almost
met his Waterloo on wednesday night
when he attacked Miss Lillian O'Toole,
and was badly beaten before he was
able to make his escape. For several
days before Christmas many White
Plains women had been held up and
robbed by footpad. who always man
aged to get away when the police got
on his trail because he was a sprinter.
He decided to change his makeup and
dressed as woman.
Miss O'Toole was walking along
Broadway, near Hamilton avenue, White
Plains. about s o'clock on Christmas
night when she felt tug at her hand
bag. She was In dark and lonesome
section, but she did not lose her nerve,
neither did she scream. Instead she
held tightly TO her bag and faced about
to see who had tried to rob her. She
was surprised to see woman, but by
the size OF the hand which clasped
hers and an oath that escaped from the
lips. Miss O'Toole is certain that the
footpad was man In female disguise.
Not a word was spoken when the
footpad seized hold OF the handbag and
by a desperate effort tore 1t from the
grasp OF the astonished young woman.
Miss O'Toole, however, had some
muscle. having played In basketball
games and tennis, and she Immediately
made a leap and landed on the back Of
tho thief. Then followed a desperate
tusslc. during which the thief made an
effort 10 get away. Round and round
the couple struggled. but not a word
was said Then finally Miss O'Toole
landed on her assailant and he let go OF
her purse and dashed down Broadway
Miss O'Tooe did not give chase, as
she was somewhat exhausted, but as
soon as she reached her home she tele-
phoned TO the White Plains police and
gave the alarm. She described the
female footpad" as being about five
feet tall. thick set, and said he wore
n raincoat buttoned close under the
chin and a soft SLOUGH hat. When the
highvaywoman ran. 'she pulled up her
skirts above tho knee and ran like
deer"
This description OF Splinter answers
IN tho highwayman who robbed three
women previous 20 Christmas, ana VINO
ALWAYS managed to get away because
he proved TO be n fast runner. All OF
the victims of the footpad had been to
the White Plains Postoffice, where they
had collected or sent money orders and
had displayed a roll of bills while In
the office.
Miss Julia Cummings was held up at
the corner OF Washington and Chatter
ton avenue. and when the thief tried 10
seize her purse she fought him off with
q hatpin. but finally he knocked her
down with his fist. Then he seized her
handbag and started off to run. Miss
Cummings. who is quite a runner, gave
chase but the man, she says, ran like
a professional and escaped. Her bag
contained a gold watch and Christmas
gifts.
on Sunday night last Mrs. f. W.
Smith was held up and robbed in Rock
ledge avenue, while Mrs. j. +. Ma
honey. OF East View avenue. was also
A victim Of the robber. The White
Plains police have made every effort to
capture the highwayman, but so far
they have been baffled because of the
different DISCUSSES he assumes. the
fact that no Is now masqueradinS
around in female attire is causing the
officials to place extra detectives on his
trail. Women in the lonesome sections
or the town are carrying revolvers IN
their handbags. and the female loot
mad, may meet with a warm reception
in the near future.
-D----