The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-10-01
DEED OF DEVILS.
Uuheard of Outrage in Washington
County, Ohio.
Terrible Treatment of Young Woman by
Two Treaeherous Tramps.
Especial TO the Enquirer.


MARIETTA, o., Sept. 2s.-Quite an excite
ment was created in this city last night by
rumor that Two tramps had killed young
lady and thrown her body into s well at
place near Newport, IN tins county. After
endesvorng 10 get at the true story, your
CORE espondent went to the place named, and
ELECTED the following facts of the the un-
heard OF Outrage, although, fortunately,
the young lady is alive to tell the story her
SELF.
Mr.. Jacob Fike, a wealthy farmer, lives on
what is known as the Barker farm, 10 miles
north or Marietta, on the Ohio river His
house is large brick structure, well calcu-
lated to attract the attention of tramps and
idlers. Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Fike and
bis wife came TO this place, leaving their
daughter Mary at home alone, her two
brothers being at work in distant field.
About o'clock p. III. Miss Fike went to the
well for a bucket of water. The well is
under the roof Of side porch to the house,
snd just ss the young lady stepped out
of the door two tramps sccosted her, and
asked her for something to eat. She was
alarmed at the rough manner of the
request, but with great GOODNESS told them
she had no time to wait on them. SIZE then
proceeded to lower the bucket into the we'll.
One of the men grasped the lady by the arm,
and in threatening manner said they
would have something TO eat or she should
suffer for it. Now thoroughly siaruied, the
poor girl struggled TO get free, but the rascal
said something to his confederate. and each
one grssping her by an arm aud her dress
below, they crowded her through the box of
The well and down through the opening into
the darkness below, and then fed with all
haste.
In her extremity the victim grasped the
rope, and there being some 25 feet yet on
the windiess this ran rapidly of, and with
sudden jerk left ber suspended 25 feet
from the ton and 80 feet above the water.
The sudden jerk OF the rope, while 1t almost
tore the girls arms of, probably saved her
lite. for by come strange twist il threw one
or two coils OF the rope around her ankle,
aud this enabled her to relieve the & rrible
strain on her arms until she could find
foothold in the wall. In this terrible posi-
ton the brave girl stood for one hour and
Is minutes, not daring 10 CRY out az first for
fear her would be murderers would know
that she was still alive, and finish their
heilish work.
At last she heard the joyful sound OF the
barking OF her favorite dog. IS he accom-
panied her brothers home from the field,
| and called loudly for help. After some
| little delay q rope was lowered with q moose
knot, into which Miss Fike willingly sank,
and she wes drawn to the surfsce.
The alarm was Immediately given. and
| parties were sent in all direction In pursuit.
| but with no success MP to this evening,
although several suspicious looking parties
were arrested to day and brought before the
| lady, but she did not recognize any of
| them. Miss Fike is l6 years of age. hand
some. finely developed little brunette. and
| is to day the wonder of thousands of visitors,
i - ka.vo lo1 tn s~e har and
| gratulate her on her wonderful pluck and
endurance. She looks badly shaken up,
however, and. as she was relating the story
| to day. when her eyes wandered 10 the well
| q shud6er ran through her whole frame
| She says that while in the well she could
| zee the stars above her. es well as their re-
| Election in the water below; but she never
| lost heart for moment. She can only give
| a poor description of the men who attecked
| her, and thinks one was a tall person, with o
| sandy mustache and a straw hat. The
| whole country is aroused, and il may yet re-
| suit in a case of lynchalaw.