Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-02
PRIEST VICTIM
OF ASSAULT
BY BURGLAR
Rev Louis Srnet. Pastor of
St. Mary's Church, Finds
Burglar In Room
MAKES PLUCKY FIGHT
Struck in Head Three Times BY In
truder During Scuffle = Robber
Gets Gold Watch and Cash.

Rev. Louis Smet, pastor of St.
Mary's Catholic Church, 80 Duke
street, was the victim of brutal as
sault at 4:10 o'clock this morning at
the hands Of a burglar ne found in
his room. He was beaten over the
head with a blunt instrument three
times and suffered greatly from loss
of blood.
Father Smet was aroused from his
slumbers by the noise made by the
intruder and he found the burglar
in his room going through bureau
drawers. Father Smet at once
sprang out of his bed and grabbed
the burglar The burglar fought
desperately to cause the priest to re.
linquish his hold. Father Smet, how
ever, succeeded in throwing the burg
lar across the bed. In an instant
the man got up and there was a
struggle again between the intruder
and priest and it was in this struggle
that Father Smet was struck over
the head three times.
Immediately after doing this, the
burglar fled from the room, which is
the front bed room, and is located on
the second floor Of the parsonage.
The burglar made but little noise in
leaving the place, and made his exit
through the front door.
The noise of the struggle aroused
Rev. L. F. Kelly and Michael Malloy,
assistant pastors, and they soon came
to Father Smet's aid.
Dr.. NJ D. Delaney was summoned
and rendered medical assistance. The
police were at once notified by
Father Kelly and Police Sergt. vii.
kinson and squad Of policemen soon
were at the rectory and after obtain.
ing a description Of the burglar,
started out in search of him.
The police had utrned over to them
two valuable clews. One is brown
fedora hat size 6 Sd made by Stetson
and bearing the name of the dealer,
Haskell and Jones Company, Port
land, Maine. In addition the police
have a small but powerful flash.
light 1t was in his struggle with
Father Smet that the burglar drop
ped his hat and flashlight and in his
haste to escape he left both.
The burglar was in search of
money. He rifled the pockets of the
trousers of Father Smet and obtain
ed small amount Of money, proba-
bly, not more than three or four
dollars, according to Father Kelly,
also gold watch.
A subsequent investigation of the
premises revealed that the entire
down stairs and other rooms on the
second floor had been ransacked by
the burglar. The drawers of the
desk in the office on the first floor
had been opened. Nothing of value,
however. was in them and the burg
lar next went into the library and
rifled the drawers of the desk there
in. This is located on the second
floor of the rectory.
Entrance to the parsonage was
made through rear window. The
burglar evidentally came in through
the Royal street side, which is the
side entrance to the north wing of
the church and also the entrance to
the rear of the parsonage. A back
window, which was unlocked, was
raised by the burglar, making en-
trance very easy.
Chief of Police Goods and members
of the police department later in the
day interviewed Father Smet and OBJ
tanned fairly good description OF
the burglar, who is described as
being short and stockily built. A
short time afterward a foreigner.
who claims he came here from Wes:
Virginia in search of work, was
taken in custody by the police. He,
however, does not bear resemblance
to the man wanted. This man say$
he is a native of Austria.
Since the burglary was reported
the police have practically combed
the entire surrounding country in
search of the man. The police are
of the opinion that the man had &
confederate.
Several strangers who have acted
suspiciously have been in the city
recently and the police are Keeping
close watch over them.
Today finger print experts from the
Washington police department came
here and took impressions of the
room where the burglar was, and
also of the window by which he made
his exit.
At noon today it was stated that
the condition of Father Smet was
most favorable, although he suffered
considerably from loss of blood and
is nervous from the shock.
News of the burglary and assault
soon spread through the city and
during the day there were many cal,
lers at the rectory to inquire Of the
condition Of the priest who put up
such a plucky fight with the burglar.