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Archiver > INMONROE > 2001-01 > 0980438697


From: Randi Richardson <>
Subject: Bloomington Memories: Purse Snatching
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 11:04:57 -0500


Bloomington (IN) Evening World, December 4, 1906, p. 1.

YOUNG LADY ROBBED ON STREETS LAST NIGHT

Four young lady students returning last night to their rooms after
alighting from the accommodation train from their Thanksgiving vacation at
home, were stopped near the residence of J. W. Jackson, East Kirkwood
Avenue, by an unknown man. The assailant grabbed one of the young ladies
and dragged her down the alley between the residence of Mr. Jackson and Dr.
Schaeffer. The girl screamed and struggled with the man, and the cries
were heard by Mr. Johnson who rooms at the Jackson home. He ran down the
alley after the man but could get no trace of him. Before releasing his
hold on the young lady, the robber secured her pocketbook which contained
$21 in cash and a point lace handkerchief. The other girls were too
frightened and surprised to say anything. The police were notified after
the attack but have no clue.

The attack occurred during the time the electric lights were not turned on,
and when it was very dark on the streets. Hardly a week pases without some
innocent girl or lady being held up on the streets. Two well known town
girls, one of whom was recently held up, now carry revolvers at night and
have learned to shoot them.

Later: Early this morning a man brough to The World office a lady's kid
glove and handkerchief which he found this morning on East Second
Street. The handkerchief bore the initials stamped in the monogram in one
end, "P. S." The young lady who was attacked was Miss Pearl Stover of
Upland, Ind., and the handkerchief and pocketbook belong to her. She rooms
at the resience of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. von Behren, South Henderson
Street. The thief after taking the pocketbook, ran with all his might east
and threw everything away but the money, although the pocketbook has not
been found. Miss Stover held on to her pocketbook and the thief pulled
(it) off the handle.

About two months ago the young lady students who room at the von Behren
home, while on their way to church on Sunday evening, were attacked by a
scoundrel, and they ran into the home of W. A. Rice for protection.

Still later: At 11:20 this morning the young lady's pocketbook was found
by some small boys on East Second Street. It contained about $16 in cash,
so that she will get all her money back excepting about $5. Miss Stover
called at the World office this afternoon and was given her stolen property.

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