The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-23
ATTEMPT TO COMMIT RAPE.
ALLEGED USE OF CHLORoFoRM.
SYNOPSIS of the Case--DOmestic
Inter course of the PARTIES
An Erring Widow.
TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES.

From the Chicago Times
Yesterday one of those fiabolical cases came
up in one of our Justices courts which some
times startle the community, and remind us by
what frail tenure a man retains his chSrsc-
ter and personal liberty when woman seeks
revenge for some trihirg and imaginary
wrong.
The case in hand was one where woman
named Mrs. Adelaide Amelia Hitchcock pre-
ferred against John Patterson the grave charge
of an assault with intent to commit rape
This is one of the most serious charges in the
criminal calendar, and one, if q man be con-
victed OF, which brands him with everlasting
shame and infamy, AMI deprives him Of all
those rights and immunities which are the
dearest birthright of q citizen, and hence the
greatest caution should be observed in the
prosecution of such cases, lest an innocent man
be convicted upon the evidence OF woman
whose motives are those of pure malice and
revenge. Man is utterly at the mercy OF wom-
an unless her testimony can be broken down
and SCI at naught by competent witnesses. In
this case it was alleged by the complaining
witness, Mrs. Hitchcock, that the defendant
attempted to administer chloroform to her last
Thursday morning, before she had arisen from
her bed, and while yet asleep, for the purpose
of executing his base designs upon her person.
The smell of chloreform aroused her, and, as
she states, when she optped her eyes she saw
Patterson sitting upon the bed, applying
handkerchief to her nose saturated with chic
reform. AS she awoke he left the bed, and,
upon being accused of the deed, denied it en-
tirely, but subsequently admitted that he did
it. and for the purpose of committing an out.
rage upon her person.
The case was brought before Justice Mill
ken yesterday morning, and upon change of
venue being obtained by Nj. d. Brown, coun-
sci for defense, it was taken before Justice
Brown for examination.
The facts ELECTED during the progress of the
examination proved that since the departure of
her husband, who enlisted in the Douglas
brigade and was killed in battle at Upton,
Mo-, she has been living with Pstter-on, who
has supplied her with provisions, house, furni-
ture, and all the necessaries of life, and occu-
| pied the same house with her. 1t was also
| proven by one witness that they had been seen
! upon one occasion about ten months since oc-
cupying the same bed. 1t was also shown that
she had been in the habit of visiting houses of
bad repute, knowing that they bore such 8
character, and had often, while living with her
husband, attended dances in company with
other men, without his knowledge. Below is
presented petition of the testimony of the
complaining witness and others:
Testimony OF Mrs. Hitchcock.
I ME- Aik(ACONh St<AbC4 bAdb cuC WeAS aHAk-
ened from sleep about 6 o'clock on the morn
ing of the 10th inst. by the smell of chloroform.
She opened her eyes and saw Patterson sitting
on the bed fully dressed, and applying hand
| kerchief to her nose saturated with chloroform.
She asked him what he was doing with that
chloroform, and he denied having any, and
walked away from the bed. She insisted that
he was attempting to administer chloroform &c
her, and he finally admitted it. Upon being
asked where he procured it, he said that he got
it at drug store on the North Side. She Their
asked him what his object was in giving it t.
her, and he replied that he did it for the pur
nose of having
After getting breakfast she went oyer on tn.
North side to see friend, and when she re
turned stopped at friends house on Madison
street, where she has since staid, fearing to re-
main in the house at night She did not sleel
in the house after this occurrence. She stated
that Patterson desired her to say nothing of il
to which she replied that she would tell he
} mother. He begged her not to do so, as sh
would proclaim it all over the country. Sh
replied that man who would perform such
base deed ought to be proclaimed throughou
7 the country. It was an act which deserves
ventilation.
The house at which this occurrence is allege
to have taken place ia No q Price Place, o.
the West Side.
Upon cross-examination q number of fact
were revealed which somewhat changed til
!, aspect of the case. She stated that she ha
know him three years, and for few month
they had lived in the Same house together, tbs
he had supplied her with provisions during th
time, and provided her with everything nece
It sary for her support. She stoutly denied eve
= having lived with him in the capacity of wifi
b however, and, when asked why she had live
k with him and allowed him to support her, gay
as reason that she was poor, had no none