The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-09
ALMOST OUTW|TS
| TWO DETECTIVES
Negro Ex-Convict Traps Officers
in Basement, and Is Shot
in Making Escape.
FUGITIVE REACHES CAR
Policemen Climb Through Coal
Chute, Give Chase in Auto
and Capture Man.
FUGITIVE REACHES CAR

Though trapped and locked in n
basement by negro, an cN-convict
whom they sought to arrest. Detec-
tives r. l.. Bryant and q. +. Smith
were not outwittcd early yesterday
morning, for well-directed shot by
Bryant, fired through n small grated
window, winged the fugitive as he was
about to make his escape. Though the
man was wounded. he did not stop in
his flight, and the officers knew they
means of exit from the basement was
by way of coal chute. They took
this and emerged from their prison
two grimy figures.
Hurriedly they stopped a passing au-
tomobilc and took up the search for
their man. They had gone several
blocks when the detectives saw him
board car in Broad Street Speed
ing up the automobile the car was
quickly overtaken and the negro ar
rested at the point of 4 pistol. AL
though shot in the thigh he was max
Ing game effort to escape.
The prisoner is Robert H. Epps, who
has served IL term in the penitentiary
ana on the roads. He is wanted here
on two charges Of forgery, and is also
believed to be wanted in Washington,
ID. G., for grand larceny
Say He Forged Her Mime.
EpDs is alleged to have forged the
name OF Mrs. Mary Barksdale. of 2204
Monument Avenue. to two checks. one
Tor $40 and the other for $50 BRYANT
ana Smith received Information which
pointed to Epps ms the person who
committed the forgerics. lie was en-
pioHed as utility man at 2206 Monu-
ment Avenue. next door to the home
OF Mrs. Barksdalc.
yesterday morning about o'clock
brEant and Smith went TO that add
dress and found E!pps at work When
told he was wanted the negro showed
no surprise. fie merely requested that
the officers give him the privilege of
closing the basement, because he did
not wish to leave it open. With Bryant
close at his side and Smith following.
Epps went about the work of locking
doors They were passing through n
dark hallway. ~ door stood partially
open. With unusual quickness F.pps
suddenly, jumped through the door.
slammed II in the face Of Bryant. and
when the latter tried TO force it Omen
he found it locked
Neatly Trapped.
1t did not take Bryant and Smith
long To find they had been neatly
trapped, The room in which they
found themselves was almost dark.
but ray of light filtered through a
small. grated window, which was also
covered with copper wire netting.
Realizing that tho negro would have
10 pass this window, the detectives
TOOK 1t as the only means of stopping
Epps. Smith stopped down and Bryant
climbed on his shoulders. with his re-
volver in readiness. He was but n
few seconds in this position when
Epps dashed by. Bryant fred. The
negro was seen 10 stagCcr
Il winged him.' exclaimed BRYANT
Then means Of getting out of the
cellar was sought The only way for
the prisoners to leave was by the
coal-chutc. With some difficulty they
managed to crawl out When they
reached the street. Epps was not in
sight.
stop Automobile.
Allen @. Collins. OF 3GOS Grove
Avenue, was passing in an automobile.
lie was hailed by the detectives who
hurricdlv explained their mission. and
Mr. Collins agreed to assist them
Jumping in the machine, they told Mr.
collins To drive down the street
They had gone but Il short distance
when Bryant saw the negro board
the trolley IN Rroad street. The car
was pulcklv overtaken and hailed
While smith boarded 1t from the front
Bryant entered by the rear. and Epps
was caught between the two who
held drawn pistols This time the
prisoner was not allowed any privi-
lcgcs, and was walked to the Second
Police station There 1t was found he
had been wounded in the hcshy part
Of tho thigh by Bryant's bullet Ne
was treated by Or. NJ F. 'Torrcgrosa.
city Hospital ambulance surgeon. who
said the wound was not serious
f,pps Is said 10 have attempted to
pass the check for $40 on George
McD. Blake, OF 90 Broad street and
succccdcc in passing the other on the
H. w. Rountrec Brother Trunk and
Bag Company, 703 East Broad street
The Washington police have been
notified OF Epps's arrest