The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-11
ATTACKS GIRLS
Unknown Man Causes Alarm
on West Side.
Police Hope to Capture Him
Next Appearance.

There is a VeritaDle reign of terror
in the district between Central park
and Washburn college, tall, broad
shouldered man, with slouched hat
pulled over his face, turks behind trees,
near dark corners, and pursues any I'M
guarded college girl who comes within
his reach. The fair co-edS at Wash
burn are petriied, can talk of nothing
but the vilIainous stranger, and sew
eraI of them have purchased diminu-
tive electric flash lights as a protec-
ton against assault.
The president and professors at the
college have been notified of the mans
attacks and have instituted several
searching parties. The police depart
ment has stationed pIainclothes men
about the park, and expects to capture
the offender, possibly tonight.
I'VE have been getting reports of
him for sometime declared an officer
this morning, someone has given US
a broad tip concerning his identity,
but we are ready to give out nothing
as yet. 1 believe we have him located,
and may get him tonight"
The college girls, who were wont
to stroll to the corner drug store for
chocolate sundaes and Hershey's choco-
lates, keep closely at home after dusk.
The man appears as early as o'clock,
and is most persistent in his efforts to
catch unwary passersby-
u
of a girl, gradually slacken his pace,
and wait until she catches up with him
when he takes her in his arms. Most
of the girls have escaped him, but
several, Mrs. Nora Adams and Miss
Kathleen Foley among them, have been
caught.
Not only the college girls. but girls
who are employed downtown, and re-
turn after dark from work, are pur-
sued by the elusive hugger. Miss Fo-
ley, who has a position with the Con
tinental creamery, was captured by
the man before $50 o'clock.
1T was quite dark she said, land
I was returning to my home at 1878
Lane street. I was at lonely corner,
going north when I met him going
south. He stopped me, caught me.
and tried to insult me. broke away
from him and was able to reach home.
I looked back, and saw that he had
disappeared. I opened the door. but
was so weak from fright that 1 could
hardly stand"
Mrs. Nora Adams who lives with her
parents, the F. NJ Spencers, on Gar
field street, was also caught and es-
capped with the greatest difficulty.
Miss Mary Fisher recently left a
street car at Fourteenth and Tyler, and
was accosted by a man who suddenly
appeared from behind a tree.
'tI can't tell what he looked like"
said Miss Fisher. rather Historically,
over the phone, ''for 1 didn't wait to
see. He tried to bump into me, but [
ran as fast as I could and eventually
got away"
The hugger realizes there is safety
in numbers, and is less persistent when
he meets a group of girls A couple
of them were strolling near the campus
early in the evening when he appear
ed from the direction of an empty
house, grasped one of them by the
arm, and remarked, Hello. girls. Shall
I walk along with you?" The girls
screamed, broke away and purchased
electric flashes which they now keep
beside them constantly.
Other young women who have been
annoyed are Miss Allison Schaffer,
Miss Daisy Peart, Mrs. Robert Clark,
Miss Leila James and Miss Irene Dean.
The hugger was last seen on Mon
day night when he frightened Miss
Mary MCGEE as early as o'clock in
the afternoon. He realizes the police
are on his trail, and did not make
himself offensive yesterday evening