The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-07-08
A Terrible Adventure.-.''A Muck by
nm Insane ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SfrHs-

a Terrible Adventurc---'A Muck ny
mn Insane Acknowledgements SfrnS-
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The Detroit Free Press has the following:
GA most exciting event occurred on Thurs
day near Sand Hill. in this county. About
noon of that day Rev. w. Ii. James, while
standing in his front door, discovered a
negro, entirely naked, running at great
speed directly towards the house. The
reverend gentleman, upon recovering from
the momentary shock which the appear
apce of the apparition occasioncd, shouted
to him to stop. He kept right on, how
ever, utterly needless of the warming.
Upon reaching the doorstep he stopped,
planted himself in IN attitude of defiance,
and raising his right hand high above his
head, uttered an unearthly shrek. he Then
turned suddenly and then ran toward 4
school-house short distance up the road.
The teacher happened to sec him in time 70
get the tiu3rs and windows fastened before
he reached tile building. He came up with
n rush and threw h.shurly frame with I'LL ms
possible force against the door. 1t with
stood bis efforts, however, and alter proWl-
ing around few minutes he continued his
race further up the road by which he came.
ellis next attack was at the house OF a
farmer named David Coltrain. This house
is situated considerable distance from the
highway, aud when the negro sprang over
the fence he was seen by Nlr. Coltrain and
his daughter, Il young lady OF perhaps elgh-
teen wears. Mr.. Coltrain, presuming. that
the man was insane, procured board about
three feet long, six inches wide, and an inch
thick, with which to defend himself. lie
took position in the doorway, and his
daughter retired to an inner room. AS the
maniac flor such he must he consldered)
drew near the house he again gave utterancc
to one of his dreadful shricks, and with
out sackening his speed i'll the least
precpitated himself upon Mr.. Coltrain.
That gentleman shouted to his daughter
to hide herself, and maniuly went into the
fight. The black tcnd first dealt him TEL
rible blow full in the face, and then the two
closed in desperate struggle. Around and
around the room they went, Cotrlln Sill
holding on to the board, giving his enemy,
whenever his grasp relaxed, a blow with It,
but without apparent effect except to render
him more fcrocious. Desperate as his chances
were, Coltrain fought for his life until en-
hausted, and the mailman finally secured
possession Of the board. He dashed and
screamed and tlouriShcd the Formidable
weapon moment, and then with trcmcn-
dOuS force struck Coltrain under the chin,
driving his under teeth into the upper jaw
SO as to fasten both jaws together
SO tightly us to prevent him from
opening his mouth, besides crushing the
lower jaw-bone as though it had been
honeycomb. The yelling devil, as if the
sight of his victims agony only increased
his ferocity, belabored him on the head and
body, bruising his chest badly and severing
bood-vessel on the head. BY this time
Coltrain had lost consciousness. His daugh-
ter, who had mean while tainted and recoV-
cred, looked into the room where the ell
counter had taken place and saw the negro
standing over her PROSTATE father. Nervcd
to daring by the awful spectacle, the brave
girl seized a chair, stepped softly up behind
the murderer, and struck him on the head.
Without even stopping to ascertain whence
the blow came he lea,ped through Il window,
ran across the yard, and started on the back
track down the road. Some men who were
at work in the vicinity of bis last attack
pursued him with clubs and guns, and finally
succeeded in capturing him. He surrendered
quietly enough when they had oyertaken
him, but while they were conveying him to Il
secure place he endeayored to break away.
His captors Were on the lookout for such
demonstration, and one of them threw Il
brick mt him, striking him on the head, but
without intiictins serious harm. He was
subsequently turned over to Deputy Sheriff
Schubert, who furnished him with a pair of
pants and shirt and brought him to the
city Friday night.
"Mr. Coltrain had not recovered con-
seriousness up to Saturday noon, and the
surgeons who are in attendance give little
hope that he will long survive his injuries .