Evening journal., 1922-03-29
TWO HOLD-UPS
ARE BALKED
Woman Drives Away From
Negroes; Trolleyman
Locks Car Door
BANDITS DRIVE
AWAY IN AUTO

Two attempts a. hoid-ups in the
western part OF the city were frus-
trated last night by the bravery and
quick action Of those who were
stopped. That highway robbery was
contemplated seems certain. and the
matter was promptly reported to the
police station and officers At once
sent out in search OF the highway
men.
The contemplated victims were
Mrs. Loleta Reed. OF Richardson
Park and II. f. Holt. a conductor OF
the Wilmington and Philadelphia
Traction Company. who was operat-
ing Delaware avenue car.
The hrst attempt at robbery was
made as the trolley car neared Eigh-
teenth street and Tower Hill Road.
and IL thought 90 have been the work
ot white men. The second attempt
was made near Harvey Station by
two Negroes wearing white hand
kerchiefs or rags over their faces
Reed. president OF the Economy Mo-
tor Sales Company. OF 225 West
Ninth street. was returning from a
trip to Philadelphia. where she had
gone TO get a new automobile. She
left the Philadelphia turnpike to
take short cut TO reach her home
AZ Richardson Park, and near Har-
vey's Station two negroes stepped
from the darkness into the middle
Of the road. One stood on each
side and. pointing revoivers a. Mrs.
Reed. demanded that she stop and
hand over her valuabies.
Mrs. Reed showed rare coura &c
snd presence OF mind and, instead
OF complying with the demands OF
the desperados. she stepped on the
gas and the car shot ahead with
great speed. Not only did she
show her courage by refusing TO
stop. but she turned the wheel and
drove the car straight at one OF the
men. The machine struck the man
glancing blow as he lodged 10
avoid II and knocked him to the
roadway. without stopping. Mrs
Reed kept on her way and came
into the city and reported her ex-
perienee 10 the police and continued
10 her home.
Whether the hiRhwaymen used
their revoivers or not. Mrs. Reed
could not say. as the noise OF the
exhaust Of her car prevented heI
hearing any shots. ~ they we're fred
Mrs. Reed was not unnerved BY
her experience and, after reaching
homo and relating her experience
20 her husband. she went to bed
and TO sleep.
The trolley car was in charge oi
Conductor Holt and Motorman NJ
6. williams. As they passed Rock
land Park a high-powered automo
Bile occupied by four men sped bl
the car and came 20 stop.
Three Of the men leaped from thu
car. one went to the rear OF the cal
ana reached for the rope attached
TO the trolley pole and pulled II from
the wire, plunR1nE the car into dark
ness At the same time two OF tn'
men attempted 20 gain entrance u
me car which is one OF the lates
tyne and their efforts 10 get in wer'
ffuitles6. Iney peat anu hahiicAo ~
on the door but the conductor re-
fused TO open
Meanwhile the motorman. vii
Hams. was not idle. As the bandit
cursed the conductor for refusinI
their demands. he opened the from
window OF the car and Juggled witt
the forward trolley pole and succeed
ed In placing Il against the wire an
Hooded the car with light. This NOV
disconcerted the bandits and the
ned 10 their auto and disappeare
n the darkness.
The crew OF me car were uneol
TO gain a Eood look a. the men an
were thus unabis 20 give dsserdp
ton other than they appeared 70 b
young. There were no passenger
on the car a. the time.
This r. me same place where a
attempted hold-up was made a shoi
time ago.