The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1878-03-10
WAS III RAPE?
BERNARD Roberts Jaiied on n charge
NJ uHpe,

news spread like wlldilre through the
city that u negro man named Bernard
Roberto had ravlshed Mrs. Joe Polser,
who had the day before been confined,
giving birth TO u child. The reporter
saw Onicer Dlckey, Who had arrested
and Jailed the negro, aud from him
learned that little negro Girl IN the
service OF Mr., Pol,er stated that the
negro entered the kitchen where she
was standing, aud after interohanglng
n few words, asked her II Mr., polser
was at home, when she told him no.
io then walked TO the door lead
lng Into the sick chamber and burst.
INK In the door, went aud laid down
Oh the bed with the slck woman. Soon
aterw ards no lett the house.
The reporter repaired 10 the jail
where he learned the following from
the prisoner He said that he was 90.
Ing home, and having been In the en-
ploy Of Mr.. Polser aud knowing HIS
wife was slick that he entered the
house through the Kitchen, and after
talking 10 the girl awhile started To go
into the room when he stumbled aud
fell against the door, bursting IL opon.
lie stated that he walked around TO
the foot OF the bed, and asked her how
sho was getting along. She said toler-
ably WELL He talked awhile with her
and then left; going home had got In
bed when Officer Dlckey arrested and
Jailed him. Stated that no nsod to
work for Mr. Polser, aud was hailed
out OF jail by him ashort tune since,
he being In charged with the theft OF a
steer Going to Mr., POlser's residence,
just east OF the Rawllns hotel la East
Dallas, on Main street, he was told
by him that nj the time OF the negroes
visit he was necessarily absent down
In the city and on his return home
found his wife specifies. The little
negro girl told him that Bernard Rob
erts had come into the kitchen where
she was and asked her II he or.
Polser) was at home. Sac told
him no when he either fell
against or bursted In the door Lead
ing Into HIS wlle's room, aud aces
dentally or purposely fell or lied Oh
the bed. He stated TINT at that time,
twelve O'Clock, his wife could not
speak u word and that the physicians
who attehed her since, thought IL was
caused from fright. He could not
say whether or not the negro had
rsvished his wife. lie had, when on
the bed, nearly killed the baby by
lying ON IT, He appeared to be
reluctant to have much to say con-
corning the matter-saying he knew
nothing personally about IT, The re-
porter asked him II 1t was true that
he had attempted to shoot the
negro, after he was under arrest.
He said II was true, aud that
he ought to have killed him.
The reporter remarked that there was
considerable feeling among the people
concerning the matter, when Polser
remarked that he wished they would
hang him. During the night, between
ten aud twelve, there was movement
inaugurated to take the negro out ana
hang him. Hearing of this,
Sheriff Moon put his men at
the Jail on their watch TO suard
against any attempt to take the
prisoner Considerable feeling was
manifested, especially by our German
citizens, while general feelings Of sym.
pathy and revenge prevailed. No at
tempt of the kind was made, however.
Some think the negro was guilty of
the crime, while others think he meant
to rob the house. Until the matter
comes up before the courts the reporter
refrains from commenting upon 1t.