Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-07-31
Terrible Outrage.
A MARYLAND LADY BRUTALITY
ASSAULTED

ASSAULTED.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-Information
was received here to-day of Il terrible out
rage at Jamestown, Montgomery coun-
ty Md, which was perpetrated on Satur-
day night, the victim being Mrs. james
Tschiffely, the wife of a well-known far
mer, who resides near that place. Up to
this time but few particulars have been
obtained, but as far as received the story
appears to be rs follows: \ negro man
named John Diggs, alias John Dorsey,
about % years of age, with number OF
other negroes from this city, was en-
ployed by Mr.. Tsch;ffely harvesting. Mr..
Tschiffely was called away from his farm
OH Saturday to another part OF the State,
one of the lower counties, TO attend to
some business. Diggs was left ut the farm
to look after things during his absence.
On Saturday evening Mrs. Tschiilcly was
sitting in her dining room when Diggs
entered. lie boldly announced his inten-
ton of Outraging her, and, after beating
and choking her, forced her to go in one
of the upper rooms, under threat OF
killing her if she refused and setting fire
to the house and burning her and the
house up. Mrs. Tschitfcly did everything
in her power to alarm the neighborS, but
out of the house aud escaped some dis
lance, when he caught her and forced her
to return, dragging her by the hair. Upon
arriving at the house he struck her on
the head with chair and almost tore her
eyes out of her head. 1t is not known
whether or not he accomplished his dew
ilish purpose otherwise than by brutality
assaulting her. He left her in an uncon-
scious condition., escaping from the
| neighbOrhood at sunrise this morning.
He was seen to come towards this city.
ROCKVILLE. MD, July 2G.-This place
| has been full ofrumors all day about the
supposed arrest Of the colorcd man Diggs
| the outrager of Mrs. Tschilfely, near
Darnstown, Montgomery county, Satur-
day night, and as result there has been
| considerable excitement. The entire coun-
ty is worked up to the highest pitch, and
it is safe to say that hal Diggs been
brought here on any of the trains he
would have been punished through the
| form usually used in such eases. There
seems to be but one opinion, and that is
that vengeance should be swift and GER
tain. All classes are unanimous i'll this
respect, the colored people being appar-
emily as fully III favor Of it as amy OF the
| whites.
RocKvILLE. MD. July 27.-Fifteen min
utcs after the crowd had dispersed, and
when but few men were OH the streets OF
Rockville, Il buggy was seen coming into
| town by back road. As it went towards
! the Jail it was followed by a few persons.
| When nearing the Jail it was found to
contain Diggs, who had been captured by
! Zachariah Davis, near McchanicSville,
some twenty miles distant. Edward Da-
Wis, q son of the capturer, was in it also.
! Diggs was regularly turned over to the
! jail authorities and locked up. lie was
! seen by Davis walking along towards
! Mcchanicsville. As he ncared him DiggS
said he was looking for work. Davis asked
him to get in and he would give him
work. Upon arriving at Mechanicsville
Davis secured rope, with which he Sc
! curcy tied him. After eating supper
! with his son and the prisoner he drove to
| Rockville.
The capture took place about SHUTDOWN.
! Davis knew DiggS by the published de-
! scriDtion. A number of reporters inter-
viewed Diggs as soon as they could gain
| admittancc TO the Jail. He admitted that
he did what was charged against him. but
| said he was drunk and hardly knew what
he was doing. lie denied striking the
| lady. 1t was not long before many in
4
Rockville knew of the capture, and prep
arations were begun Immediately to carry
! their intentions into effect. Mr.. Tschilfc-
, ly was sent for so that he could be present
/ aU the ending of Digs, which will take
place before daylight, rs it has been de-
cided to take him out of Jail as soon as all
the members of the viglent committee
! have been notified aud are on hand.
IYNCuED
When the good people OF Rockville
awoke on Tuesday morning they learn
ed that during the night John Diggs,
alias Henry Dorsey, colored the brutal
ravisher of Mrs. Jas. Tschitfely, had
been captured and lynched. The evil
dence of this was the fact that his body
was hanging by strong manila cord
to an old black heart cherry tree, about
nalf mile distant on the road leading
from Darnstown, where the fearful crlmo
of Diprs had been committed.