The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1882-06-15
First and Last Rape Case in Hardin County.


Last week. a woman near the depot, swOre tC
an information against a young farmer in Jack
son Township. she is the mother of family
and he has a wife and two children. 1t was al
legged that two weeks ago, he invited the Edo
"a victim to visit his house. Like guileles.
lamb she went there and was forced under tn,
bed clothes and twice raped before she was full
ly aware of the outrage being committed OH
GERS have hunted high and low, but the ruth
less rObber Of female virtue has not yet beer
found.
The coolest inbabitant" has not forgotten
Judge Mcfarland, who presided over the court,
in this County, He was a sound Judge in de
cisions, but in the decoration of his person wa,
"too, too utterly" careless and unRsthetic
With his hat on, in his shirt sleeves, sans vest
collar, sans cHlottes, almost. he would heal
and determine cases. Eastman, whom he call
ed "old Spot" and Woods, termed "old Timber,
were trying rape case TO jury. The pane
was alert for juicy evidence, while the half-rob
ed jurist had both feet on the table, and head
dropping on chest Stimulating sleep. The plain
tiff, woman of Meg. Merriles mould aud bean
ty, testified TO her age, residence, marriage, ant
maternity.
The Judge nodded, as in fitful slumber.
"Tell the jury when and how you became nc
quainted with the villain who forced you" said
her lawyer.
The defendant was a meagre and mOuldy lit
tie man of one hundred pounds. His shrinking,
from observation were painful to witness. New
er dld nature endOw such form with the turbu
lent lust of Tarquin.
With great deliberation and dirtiness of de
tail, the plaintiff related how she had known
defendant for several months. How one DAY
she met him in the Hardin City woods, neal
Hon. II. L. Huff7s historic spring.
Through it all Judge Mcfarland breathed a:
do light sleepers.
"Now, madam, tell the jury how he robbed
you of that priceless jewel, virtue"
Still the careless clad form of the Judge ap
peared to slumber
Every juryman had his neck craned to observe
and hear everything.
Witness, like Niobe, all tears, sobbingly told
how she was in the timber, gathering bark
Prisoner clasped her waist, and almost smOth
cred her with kisses. Then he backed against
a large white oak tree, and by extreme violence
he succeeded in his hellish design.
Judge Mcfarland did not stir. Even his feet
remained on the table, unmoved. But his eye
lids partially Enclosed, as in n suave voice he
said: "Wll the lady allow me to ask ques
toni"
She whmpered an affirmative answer.
did understand you to say it was large
white oak tree ~
"Y-ye-yes, sir.n
"And that the defendant had his back to the
treef"
..Ind-deed he did, your honor"
That instant the Judge was transformed
His feet came down to n parade rest, /" his eyes
were dilated, and his head erect.
Madam" he remarked pleasantly, as if con.
graduating some favorite member of the bar,
there is a trite old maxim, that 'self-preserva-
ticn Is the first law of nature From your tes-
tImony, the witness was obliged to do just as he
did, or climb the tree"
'Stand aside. Suit is dismissed Mr.. Sheriff,
call the next case."-EldOrd (IOrd) Ledger.