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Story
August 31, 1896
The Sun
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
70-year-old Civil War veteran Thomas Stevenson arrested in Stapleton, Staten Island, for attempting to assault 10-year-old Clara Neumann after luring her into a dark area; she escaped and he was identified.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
WAR VETERAN'S OFFENCE.
Ten-year-old Girl Is the Aged Soldier's Accuser.
Thomas Stevenson, aged 70 years, who says he is a veteran of the civil war, and until recently an inmate of the Virginia Old Soldiers Home, was arrested at Stapleton, Staten Island, yesterday, on a charge of attempted assault upon Clara Neumann, 10 years old. The child had been visiting friends in the centre of the village on Saturday, and started home alone about 9 o'clock.
She had often made the trip before through Broad and McKeon streets, which are frequented and lighted. She says that Stevenson followed her for a short distance and then spoke to her.
He appeared to be such a kind and respectable old man that she had no fear of him and told him where she was going. At the corner of Central avenue, a dark and unsettled street, he proposed that they take a short cut, and she assented.
When they came to a vacant field the old man caught her by the arm. She broke away and ran, but she says he overtook her and dragged her into some bushes.
She screamed and some young men ran to the rescue, but Stevenson fled toward the woods on the Vanderbilt property. This girl was taken to her home, while three of the party chased her assailant with dogs, but he managed to escape for the time in the darkness.
Stevenson has been identified by the child and also by an Italian who met them just after they turned into Central avenue, and afterward heard the child's cries.
Ten-year-old Girl Is the Aged Soldier's Accuser.
Thomas Stevenson, aged 70 years, who says he is a veteran of the civil war, and until recently an inmate of the Virginia Old Soldiers Home, was arrested at Stapleton, Staten Island, yesterday, on a charge of attempted assault upon Clara Neumann, 10 years old. The child had been visiting friends in the centre of the village on Saturday, and started home alone about 9 o'clock.
She had often made the trip before through Broad and McKeon streets, which are frequented and lighted. She says that Stevenson followed her for a short distance and then spoke to her.
He appeared to be such a kind and respectable old man that she had no fear of him and told him where she was going. At the corner of Central avenue, a dark and unsettled street, he proposed that they take a short cut, and she assented.
When they came to a vacant field the old man caught her by the arm. She broke away and ran, but she says he overtook her and dragged her into some bushes.
She screamed and some young men ran to the rescue, but Stevenson fled toward the woods on the Vanderbilt property. This girl was taken to her home, while three of the party chased her assailant with dogs, but he managed to escape for the time in the darkness.
Stevenson has been identified by the child and also by an Italian who met them just after they turned into Central avenue, and afterward heard the child's cries.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Attempted Assault
Civil War Veteran
Child Victim
Arrest
Staten Island
What entities or persons were involved?
Thomas Stevenson
Clara Neumann
Where did it happen?
Stapleton, Staten Island
Story Details
Key Persons
Thomas Stevenson
Clara Neumann
Location
Stapleton, Staten Island
Event Date
Yesterday
Story Details
Thomas Stevenson, a 70-year-old Civil War veteran, was arrested for attempted assault on 10-year-old Clara Neumann. He followed her, lured her into a dark area, grabbed her, but she escaped and screamed for help, leading to his flight and eventual identification.