The New York herald., 1875-12-25
INNOCENCE BETRAYED.
AN EXCITING CASE BEFORE THE HUNTERDoN
COUNTY coURT-A YOUNG MAN CONVICTED
OF INDECENT ASSAULT.

OF INDECENT ASSAULT.
FLEMNGToN, n. j., Dec. "a, 1873
For the past three days the Hunterdon County Court
OF Oyer and Tcrmincr in session in this town, has
been occupied with case Of much sensational interest,"
In which the State was set down prosecutor and
young man of twenty seven summers named Charles
Hopewel was the defendant The Grand Jury had found
an Indictment containing three counts against Hope
well one for assault with intent to commit an outrage
on girl named Kate Fowler, only fourteen years OF
age the second for indecent assault and the third
for a common assault on tho same person.
Miss Fowler is a very fascinating young lady rather
full grown for her years and she belongs to family
OF high respoctsbillty ana influence in Hunterdon
county, and uncle Of hers is prominent lawyer
living in Flcmington. Mr.. Hopewell is tho son of a
very wealthy gentleman who is widely known for his
public bcneiactions good natured disposition and
fined qualities Both families are numbered among
tho s'upper ten In Huntcrdon county, and the
dal which has Just cast gloom their thresholds
has created good deal of gossip, comment and criti
C,sm in consequence
Chief Justice Beasley presided at the trial. and tho
State represented by Prosecutor Chamberlln, ex
United States Senator John r. Stockton, w. Y. John
son and Mr. Allen. The defence conducted by
Chancellor Williamson ana Mcssrs. Voorhees, and Bull
lock. The court room was crowed TO repeton every
day large number OF witnesses was examined for
tho state and their testimony throughout was exceed
ngly damaging against the prisoner The greater por-
ton OF il unit for publication. The following is
the story of the affair condensed from the evi-
dence:-
ON tho 18th OF August last Hopewell induced Miss
Fowler TO go out with him In a buggy. They started
from Pennington and took circuous route through
the country. They stopped at several towns and
villages and visited hotels where he tried TO induce
take wine and other stimuants but she refused
Late In the afternoon they wound up st village
called Ringolds. Here the young lady signihed her
desire to return home. Hopeweh consented,
and then commenced Ito to drl'~ IN tns. & drse, &c
Young lady discovered that he was taking
her roundabout way and toward some woods. She
expostuated and inquired where they were going, but
no gave evasive answer. Soon the woods wcro
reached and into the middle OF them tho horse
driven at rapid ratio. halt was then made. Hope
we'll thereupon put around his victim, caught
her hands with the other and attempted TO accomplish
bis design. She screamed and struggled agonizngly,
and finally succeeded IN getting loose from tho
grip Of her betrayer In doing so she fell between
tho wHceis OF the vehicle, and recovering herself i'm
mediatoly, she commenced to run. He followed her
and throw her down, put his hand on her mouth and
renewed his vile purpose She screamed and struggled
80 hard again that she attracted the attention of
farmer named Conovcr who was fortunately close
by Hopewe, becoming scared relinquishcd tho
further prosecution OF his design and back
to the buggy. He jumped aboard and drove
up to where the struggle took place,
and strange to say prevailed Miss Fowler to get
into the vehicle again. Her clothing torn, her
hair dshevelled and, as the man Conover stated on
the witness stand ''Shc looked like maniac Mr.
Conover identified the party and gong TO the scene OF
the outrage, picked up silver comb and bow belong
ing TO the victim Hopewcl drove to a village called
Raivllc, where ho took Miss Fowler into
hotel to ronoyatc her appearance She asked
him why he attempted the outrage, and he replied
that woman had told him to do it, and he impored
he's tell his relatives or the young lady he
engaged TO- She half consented; but, as the sequel
shows she has given wide publicity to Il in court Of
justice.
The jury after a brief deliberation returned vor-
diet OF guilty on the second count charging an inde
cent assault
Sentence deferred