Evening star., 1913-11-26

Charles \. Stockett, sixty-five years old,
residing at 500 street southeast, and in
business at 2O1O 18th street northwest
was assaulted with an AK and ROBBED
of his pocketbook. containing about $40
in cash. and his gold watch this morning
about IS; 80 O'Clock shortly after he had
opened his store His skull was frac-
tured and he is In critical condition
A colored man employed In the vicinity
of the store found the unconscious form
OF the merchant on the floor of the store
He was attacked only few minutes De-
fore he was found, the police believe. as a
colored woman had made small pur-
chase SOON SITTER the store was opened
Mr.. Stockeft regained consciousness and
was able to tell OF the attack and furnish
a description of the robber. He was taken
TO Emergency Hospital, where he re-
peated the story of the attack to Detec-
tives Pratt and Forteney.
Assailant's Description.
..Ee was a man about six feet tall"
said a pedestrian, who saw the assailant
leave the store, land was about thirty
FIVE or forty years old. He had a light
smooth face and wore a dark suit and
light hat"
pressed that the blow had been delivered
with the broad side of the ak. although
the scalp was cut. Surgeons deemed IT
necessary TO perform an operation
Called at Another Store.
The police this afternoon learned that a
man answering the description Of the as
sailant has been seen in the neighborhood
of 18th and U streets on several morn
ings recently. Frequently, IL is stated, he
visited the store OF Mrs Heoecca l..
Wakefield, 1IS0. Florida avenue. and asked
for articles that are not usually kept In
such stores.
Mrs Wakefield, suspecting something
wrong usually called out as If there was
a man i'm a rear room of the store, and her
russ generally caused the colored man to
leave without attempting robbery.
Should the assaiiant be found. II is
stated, he can easily be identified. The
coIored man, Chandler. is positive he will
he able, to recognize him and several
other persons also obtained good look
at him
The story of the murderous attack re-
called TO the police the murder of William
Fl Mickle, tobacconist. near 1th and L
streets northwest. two years ago, al
though I'm that case II was thought the
crime was committed by white man and
the weapon used was a wrench That
mystery remains unsolved.
When Mr.. Stockett reached his store a
colored man, who later assaulted and
robbed him, entered and asked to be
shown an ak. The merchant showed him
one, and the prospective customer was
examining the instrument, 1t is stated
when q colored woman was seen walking
in the direction of the store.
Leaves to Get Money.
II is believed that the woman's ap-
proach prevented the attack at that time
The man quickly remarked that he want
ed to see his employer and get the u
cents for the ak. and he left the store
Shortly after the woman entered and
purchased small quantity of oil. There
had been nothing about the conduct o.
the man to suggest anything wrong. Il
frequently happens that persons inspect
goods. go away. and return for them
and when the colored man did so thi,
morning II did not arouse the merchant.
suspicious.
Returning to the store shortly before
$50 O'Clock, an hour when many person.
were passing along the street. going I,
their places of employment. the coloreG
man said. I've come back to get tn,
AK and the merchant picked il up ant
handed Ii to him.
Mr.. Stockett was able to recall moth
ing more OF what happened The force
Of the blow the right side of hi
head back of his ear had fractured hi.
skull and rendered him unconscious II.
remained in that condition on the foo
until he was found by James A. Chand
Ter. colored. of Ss23 Champlain avenu
northwest
Chandler was working at the corne
5eiow the store and he came i'm to pur
-hase supplies When near the door HI
saw the merchants assailant hurr
out the door and start away AS sool
rs he entered and saw the prostrat
form OF the dealer on the floor he sound
,d. an alarm Soon a crowd of curiou
e,crsons were abut the place
Several persons saw the assailant abou
e time be left the store. and they wer
Die to furnish good descriptions of him.
Resident Here for Years.
lr. Stockett, who has many relative
the vicinity of Annapolis. Md, ha
Zen a resident of this city many year.
iie formerly was "A member Of the firr
nf Stockett s. Ffske, blank book manu-
facturers. stationers and printers. lie
!, sidower and resides with his brother
George Stockett. who Is employed i'm tn
navy yard. = - -
Two other brothers of the wounded ma