The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-10
A WRONGED GIRL.

WICHITA. Kan, Oct. 9.-In the district
court, now in session in this city, the jury
to-day brought in a verdict of SO, 900
damages against T. nj. Lane, well known
and prominent citizen of this town, for
outraging and producing an abortion upon
the person of Hannah r. Carter. Lane
came from Illinois to this city ten years
ago. He has history in Champaign coun-
ty. Hannah r. Carter is daughter of
Matthew Carter, a sailor in the Gulf squad
ron, who was wounded and died during
the war. Hannah was placed, at the age
of six years, in the Soldiers Orphans
Home, near Bloomington, where she re
manned about five years. Her mother mar
ried carpenter named Scott, and has
been living in poor circumstances in this
city for some years. Hannah was sent to
her mother some time in 1874 or 1875.
Upon her arrival she was taken by farmer
near this city, who kept her year or So
She was taken from him by her mother be-
cause of i'll treatment. She was then taken
by family in Winfield, and remained there
until the fall of 1876, when she again came
home. Soon afterward she became amen
Der of I. M. Lanes family. In the latter
part of April, 1878, as developed in the
testimony, she was outraged by Lane in a
grove on his farm, three miles from the
town, where he had taken her in his buggy
She swore that through fear of her life
and by threats of extreme personal
violence, she was led to conceal the crime.
This first outrage was followed by repeated
acts until the night of the 2Sth of July,
1879, when she was delivered of male child.
Some days before, one or more operations
were produced. She testified that the de-
fendaut was with her during the night; that
the child was fully developed, and that it
showed signs of life. She was confined
to her room for several days, and then
went to her mothers. She was at home
a week before she divulged the truth to
her mother. Her parents consulted I'll.
I'll. Fisher, lawyer of Wichita, who ad
vised criminal prosecution at once.
Hannah and her mother applied to the
then county attorney, W. E. Stanley, who |
refused to begin prosecution until he saw |
Lane. Upon subsequent interview, a |
short time after, he refused to prosecute, |
giving as a reason that she could not stand |
discrimination and could not prove |
her charges. The case was then taken by |
Judge Fisher, who instituted a civil suit |
for damages, intending to commence
prosecution after Stanley went |
out of office. Stanley while still county |
attorney, took retainer from Lane in the
civil suit. The case was STAYED off by one
and another from term to term
for three years. To save the criminal |
under the statute of limita-
ton, Fisher filed an information before |
Squire Sunkerman, who issued his war
rant for Lane, Lane gave bail, and the
case was taken then TO the district court. |
defect in the warrant the case
was thrown out, and the limitation ex
pired before the next term of court. AZ
er many delays the civil trial came off
With the results above stated. The testi- |
nony was of the most extraordinary char
lcter. There has been great excitement,
md talk of lynching was frequently heard.