New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-16
THIEF BEATS WIDOW;
SHOOTS PURSUERS
Woman Seeks to Foil Burglar by
BloW-Bandit Caught After
Pistol Fight.

Mrs. Eliza Z. Van Brunt, a widow, liv-
ing with her son and daughter at No.
5O7 RAY street. Jamaica, Queens, had al
WAYS maintained TO members of her fam
ry that # she ever found a burglar I'm
her home She would hit him as hard as
she could Early last evening her nerve
and courage were put to the test and she
was fully equal TO the occasion.
Returning fror, call upon friends at
$50 o'clock last night, with her son
and daughter. John and Miss Elizabeth \.
Van Brunt. she entered the house first,
and was made aware that there was a
burglar within when an electric stick
lantern was flashed at her from The head
of the stairway. Almost Immediately a
negro plunged down the stairs and tried
to force his way through the front door.
Stand aside, or I'll kill YOU" said he.
You're a burglar Take that" said
the plucIly little woman who. despite her
sixty years, has considerable strength.
She struck out with all her might and
landed with telling force upon the negro >
nose. The burglar struck her on tho jaw,
knocking her across the porch, where she
lay unconscious for a short time En-
countering Miss Van Brunt and her
brother the negro threatened to kill them
II they interfered. Believing that the
burglar meant what ne said. they let him
pass.
As the negro struck of across lots for
Hillside avenue Miss Van Brunt screamed
and her brother shouted: "a thief. Get
guns.
William Hegeman. neighbor OF the
Van Brunts and who was formerly
deputy sheriff. made a dash for the ne
gro. but was greeted by bullet that tore
a flesh wound from his eye 20 the back
Of the head Meanwhile other neighbors
poured out Of their homes. deserving
their supper tables 20 join I'm the chase.
John II. Hendrickson and his brother,
William Z. Hendrickson, ran bare headed
10 the street. They We're accompanied
by Frederick Kent, OF Bayside. who was
visiting them; William Hegeman, who
hurried up despite his wounded head,
and Harry Sutphin.
The posses attempt 10 catch the negro
met with another bullet, which whistled
past John II. Hcndrckson's ear
Miss Mary IIendrickson. who heard the
screams. called the Jamaica police. Lieu
tenant Lcary sent out the reserves. who
commandeercd a passing automobile
While the officers were securing the
streets the negro encountered Policeman
Washington Irwin, who was unaware
that a burglar chase was in progress.
What are you doing here?' demanded
the officer. The answer was shot from
the ucgro's revolver which besprnkled
Twins face with powder
The negro then ran back 10 Ray street,
where he entered the house OF Or. T. II.
Mccarthy. Of No. Ray street, finding
the door unlocked The negro had just
closed the door behind. when the auto
mobile filled with policemen stopped In
front. Painting after it was the posse Of
citizens.
The five policemen ran into the house,
led bv Patrolman Gates. As the negro
made for the second floor Dr. Mccarthy.
aroused by the noise of his entrance,
stood in his hallway agape with astonish-
mcnt
Gates caught up with the fleeing negro
"a he turned toward the attic. The po-
uceman knocked the revolver out OF the
r.gro's hands and with blow from his
stick brought the burglar down. At the
policc station the prisoner described him
scIr as Albert Banks. a theatrical prop
erty man. lie refused TO give his adj
dress, but said he had come 10 New
York only three weeks ago from Canada.
In his possession was found pocket
hashiieht and purse containing 81 ~ agd
"a syringe. He was locked mp on charges
of burglary and attempted fclonious as
sault