The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-09-18
Horrible Outrage.
ULSTER VILLAGE, Aug. 25, 1856

ULSTER VILLAGE, Aug. %, 1851.
Our quiet village was thrown into great
confusion yesterday Sunday afternoon, in
consequence of a report that Il most brutal
assault had been committed on the person
of Mrs. Jacob n. Herman, a widow lady,
aged 20 years, residing about four miles
west Of this village. The facts OF the case
proved to be of a very serious and outra-
Sabbath, p. NJ, Mrs. Ii. left her home on
foot, to attend church in neighboring
school-house, about nile AMI a half from
her residence; While on her way, she WAS
met by negro demon, bearing the name Of
"Bronk." AS he approached her, he said,
"Now, d-n you, | have you," and instant
ly felled her to the ground with his fist,
jumped upon her with both feet several
times, and kicked her, after which he drag
ged her from the road into the woods and
en.Ieavored to violate her person; but the
Old Lady fought every inch of ground as long
rs she was able, but overcome by exer,ion
and loss of blood, was overpowered 10y the
villain, and cannot say what followed up to
the time she was found. He finally drag
ged her some fifty yards into Il swamp, and
left her dead, as he supposed, and made his
way to this village. A neighboring lady q,
also on her way TO church, heard screams
several times, aud on her way found the
shawl and gloves of Mrs. III. lying on the
road, and large pool of blood pear. Sup
posing there had been foul play, she gave
the alarm, and the lady was soon found by
following the trail that had heen made in
dragging the body into the swamp.
When found, Mrs. IL. was lying in a
helpless condition. but sensible of her stu
alton. She was removed TO her house, and
after being somewhat revived, related the
above facts, and gave description Of the
villain. lie was immediately pursued by
a large cOncourse OF people, and was over
taken just rs he entered our village; he was
immediately arrested and pu, in irons. q.
OsterhOut, accompanied by Sheriff Swartz
having the negro IN custody, proceeded i'm
mediately TO the residence of the old lady,
followed by large posse of our citizens,
anil proceeded TO take her testimony in the
case, which proved ms before stated. DIR.
Dewitt was present aud examined her
wounds, aud found her upper and lower
/ jaws both fractured, her collar bone and
nose broken, and serious bodily injuries, as
she discharged large quantities of blood
from her mouth continually; one eye entire
ly closed and the other nearly so, and hei
face literally cut TO pieces. To test hel
ability TO identify The prisoner, another ne.
gro was placed before her, and Oh asking il
he was the person, she answered, no! The
prisoner was then srraigned before her, AM
she pronounced him the villain. Ii wa.
with some difficulty that the populace, now
numbering some three hundred, could be
restrained from applying the Lynch code t'
the prisoners case. A numerous vote, 10y
viva yoce, was taken on the subject, hut
by the influence Of the officers present, j
was postponed indefinitely.
The greatest excitement prevails in ou
village rs the examination is proceeding
and, for aught know, the negro may ye
be hanged without benefit Of clergy.
We learn this afternou.i, that Mrs. II. i
still alive, but the physician fears she vii
not survive the day.-[Cor. Alb. Argus.