The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1868-11-04
A Vlllainous Attempt Upon Defence
-- r. less Woman, .r-

..- less woman,
Miss Eliza Mathews, who has for
some time past resided in this city,
left here few weeks since to visit
some friends in Napoleon, Henry co.,
Ohio. How she Jared after reaching
the depot, at night, Napoleon, we let
her describe in private letter not
written for publication:
NAPOLEON Oct. 18th.
Dear Sister Lizrje got here safe
Iy from Canton on Thursday evening,
but did not find any of the Wanns at
the depot, I inquired Of one of the
officials there for Mr.. Wann. He said
he was not there. I said I wanted to
go to Wann's hotel, when a, fellow
stepped up and said he was going
there and that he would show me the
way. The agent told me to go with
hina, which did, It was about nine
O'Clock, p. m. He asked me if ever
was in this place before. told him
no, but that 1 was we'll acquainted
with the Wann family. I said the
hotel seemed a good way from the
depot, to which he replied there was
nearer way, but it was muddy and
as had to walk he was taking me
the cleanest way said he was Wann's
rupneri that they did not bring the
omnibus that night because there was
show and their house was full
When we got off the plank side walk
and going to descend hill, i stopped,
had n vague suspicion that he was
deceiving me; told him so but he
talked so plausibly that ] went on
again, telling him to walk before me,
as 1 was afraid of falling; he did so
When he got down the hill he turned
to the left along the canal. 1 stopped
again, said I saw no lights in the di-
rectiOn we were going. He said the
lights were hidden by hill; that it
was only few steps to the hotel. l
then walked a short piece farther, ,and
stopped again, seeing we were getting
away from the houses, and said I
would go no farther, that he could go
on and would go to the other hotel.
Finding he could not urge me on, he
stepped up quickly, caught hold of
me, SAID very savagely that he had
me; he tried to throw me, but L fought
desperately, and screamed as loud as
could. Then he tried to stop my
mouth with his hand, but jerked it
away !; he tried to fasten his hands on
my throat, but I pulled them off; in
the struggle I got him down, and
grasped his throat; held him there a
few minutes, when he begged me to
let him up, promising he would let
me go, was foolish enough to do
so, thinking had conquered him.
But no sooner was he up, than he
threw me fiat on my back; 1 called
Sloud on Heaven to help me. He
said he would help me; told me in
vulgar words what he would do
raised myself on one arm and with
the other knocked him away, and
bumped up like lightning. In getting
up my wateh-chain made a noise on
my watch; he put his hand up to get
it, but I pushed him off; then he
stopped to pick up my satchel, when
ran as fast as I could in the direc-
ton had come, passing the street
and hill we had come down, it being
too dark to see the turning of place.
I kept along the canal, passing sever
al houses that had no lights, then
came to one with light; called aloud
at the gate, when a man came out
and opened it; told him I had Just
got away from some villain, ,and wan
ted to be taken to Wann's hotel. He
said he was all alone, but if 1 would
wait till he put on his shoes he would
take me. L sat on the step outside
When he was ready. walked to the
gate; he followed, and took hold Of
my arm TO help me. 1 was going
out of the gate L came in at, but he
said he would take a nearer way out
of the other gate. That frightened
me, and 1 ran from him to the next
house passed two houses, finding no
one at home then came to the third
one where got in and they took me
to Wanh's hotel. They We're thun-
derstruck, felt dreadfulIy over it.
Mr.. Wann and the marshal took
measures at once to have HIM arrested.
They asked me if would know him;
L said would not know his face, but
would know his size and voice. From
my description they suspected who it
was. In an hour OF so after, the ras-
cal came into the Office at Wann,s |
hotel. The marshal notified US, and |
had me sit on the stairs in the hall
while he went in and engaged him |
in conversation. ] recognized the /!
voice said could swear to that. The |
squire took my affidavit. He was
also identified by man at tie depot |
who knew him and saw me go off in
the direction of Wann's hotel with
Kim: He had walked right into the
trap they laid for him, and they soon |.
had him safe in Jail He is-6 bad fell :
low and lives by stealing, but they'll
have not been able to prove any cr1med
against him until now. He is worth