According to a story told in the Gates avenue court this morning by Mrs. Christopher Loeffler, the wife of a news dealer who conducts a little store at 2,483 Atlantic avenue, the woman had a very exciting experience with two men early on Sunday morning. Mrs. Loeffler says that one of the intruders attempted to gag her. The men were, however, frightened away by her incessant cries for help, but not before she had bitten the index finger of the man who attempted to put the gag in her mouth. Two men were arraigned in court this morning, suspected of having entered Mrs. Loeffler's apartment. They gave their names as Joseph Slavin of 86 Rochester avenue and Thomas Miller of 24 Gunther place. Both men were arrested on the technical charge of vagrancy, but an additional charge of burglary was made against Slavin this morning by Mrs. Loeffler. The men were arrested by Patrolman Charles Bruner of the Liberty avenue station house last evening.
The woman's husband is obliged to leave his home early in the morning, in order to get his papers in Manhattan. Mrs. Loeffler and her two children slept in a room at the rear of the store. Shortly after her husband his home on Sunday morning, she says, she was awakened by by a noise in the room. She found a man leaning over her, whereat she raised an outcry. As she did so she says the man grappled with her and tried to force a gag into her mouth. She fought desperately with him, and in the struggle bit her assailant's index finger. In the meantime the children were aroused and began to cry. This frightened the men, and they made their escape through the rear window.
About this time a man that was passing by the store heard cries coming from within. He notified Patrolman Brunner, who was on the next corner. When the officer arrived he found Mrs. Loeffler hysterically pounding on the door of the store. She admitted him and told her story of the attempt to gag her. The officer made an investigation and found that a pane of glass in the rear window had been removed, by which means the window was forced open. No trace of the men could be found. A gag was found on the bed. The matter was reported to the station house and an investigation set on foot, Officer Brunner being assigned to the case.
On Monday a boy employed by Loeffler to deliver papers told officers he saw two suspicious men on Atlantic avenue. The boy went with the officer and a searchj of all the resorts in the neighborhood was made. Miller was found last night in Guinea row, on Broadway and Fulton street, and was identified by the boy as one of the men. He was taken to Mr. Loeffler's store for further identification, but the woman was not sure he was one of the men. While officer and Miller were in the store, Slavin came in and purchased a paper. As he turned his back to Mrs. Loeffler and was about to leave the store Mrs. Loeffler exclaimed that she thought he was one of the men, as she recognized the back of his head and the way he wore his hair. Slavin declared his innocence, but was held until Captain Colgan had been sent for. Slavin's hands were examined a bruise found on the index finger of his right hand, where Mrs. Loeffler claimed she had bitten on of her assailants. The captain, when he arrived, ordered the arrest of both men and they were locked up.
The police believe the men who entered the apartments of Mrs. Loeffler were familiar with the fact that Mr. Loeffler left early in the morning for Manhattan and watched for their opportunity to enter the house. Miller and Slavin pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them this morning. They were, however, held by Magistrate Worth and the examination was adjourned. The officer, will, in the meantime, continue the investigation.
Brooklyn (New York) Daily Eagle, November 11, 1898.
Copyright © 2004 Larry Slavens. All rights reserved.