National Republican., 1883-05-24
A Shocking Outrage Near Port Tobacco,
Charles County.
The Victim a Young Girl Of I6-The
Perpetrator Indicted
An Interesting Relic Relative 10 Washington City
Found.
Meeting OF the Democratic state Central
Committeo-A Rural Youth.
Special Dispatch.

particulars of one of the most shocking out
RACES that has ever been known in the his.
tory of Charles county. Tho crime is rem
dered even more heinous in character from
the fact that the ravisher, George w. Carpen-
ter, is a member of the board of county COM
missioners, having been elected on the Re-
publican ticket a married man with
family, and while regarded as q somewhat
fast liver, was regarded as a man utterly in
capable of perpetrating such crime as that
for which he stands indicted by the grand
Jury. The victim of tho dastardly
outrage, Miss Scott, is a young and somewhat
attractive girl of sixteen, who was employed
in the family Of Thomas A. Travers, living
about two miles from Port Tobacco. The
Travers and Carpenter families had been on
good terms, and on Monday Carpenter paid
friendly visit TO the Travers mansion While
there Mr. Travers remarked that he was
going with his family on visit to neigh
boring town. Carpenter accompanied the
party to the steamer and after they had de-
parted returned to Mr.. Traver's residence.
He induced tho girl on some pretext to ascend
TO an upper room, upon entering which she
declares that he threw her ON the floor and
perpetrated an assault of the most outrageous
character. The victim was left in "a
half conscious condition on the floor,
and Carpenter made his escape. The outrage
was not discovered until Mr. Travers returned.
He Immediately notified the neighbors, and
for some time the excitement was at fever
heat, and threats were made of lynching Car
penter A warrant was sworn out, and
Sheriff Sutherland finally discovered him at
board meeting OF the county commission
ers. When shown the warrant he appeared
wholly unconcerned protesting his innocence,
but was removed to the city Jail. The grand
jury at once took up the case, and promptly
found an indictment against Carpenter. The
latter has made no effort TO obtain bail up TO
the present time. Carpenter, as already
stated, is man Of family having few years
ago married Mrs Luther Murdoch, widow.
He is about 3S years of age.
AN INTERESTING RELIC.
Hon. George Hawkins Williams, president
of the Maryland senate land who, by the
way is very prominently named in connec-
tion with the democratic nomination for gov
ernor), was turning the leaves of his family
Bible-which he had not opened for many
years-last evening, when he found therein
the following letter. written by Thomas
Jefferson, and one that has never before been
seen by the public. 1t is addressed to the
(then) mayor Of Washington, Mr.. II. g.
Weightman, in response to an invitation Of
the latter for Mr.. Jefferson to attend the
semi-centennial celebration of the jubilee Of
American independence uD INC III
your city and throughout the south the letter
will be read with more than ordinary interest.
The venerable statesman says:
MONTICELLO June "a, lS26-Respected Sir. The
kind invitation 1 received from you on the part
of the citizens Of the city Of Washington to be
present with them ut their celebration OF the
iifleth anniversary of American independence,
| Ms one of the surviving sgners of an instrument
pregnant with our own and the late OF the world,
| Is most hattering 10 myself, and heightened by
| the honorable accompaniment proposed for the
comforts OF such a journey. II adds sensibly to
the suferings of sickness TO be deprived by II OF
| a personal participation in the rcjoicings OF
| that day, but acquiescence is a duty under
circumstances not placed among those we
| peculiar delight, have met and exchanged these
| congratulations personally with with the small
| Joined with us, on that day in the bold and doubt!
| iul election we were 10 make for our country, be-
tween submission and the sword; aud to have en-
| ioyed with them the conSolatory fact that our
fellow citizens after half century Of experience
and prosperity, continue TO approve tee choice we
| made. May II bo TO the world, what believe 1t
| will be TO some parts sooner, to Others later,
| but finally to ALL, the signal OF arousing men,
| TO burst the chains under which monkish
eDa them TO bind bind thsmselvs, ~ aud % to e'aS assume
the blessings and security of self.govern-
meut The form which we have substituted re-
stores the free right to the un6ounded exercise OF
reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are
! opened or opening TO the rights of man. The gem
eTal spread of the lights of science has already
laid open to every view the palpable truth thai
the mass OF mankind has not been born with
| saddles on their backs, nor favored few booted
| and spurred, ready TO ride them legitimaely, by
| the grace of God. These are grounds of nope for
others-lor ourselves let the annual return Of this
| day forever refresh our recollections of their
| rights and an undiminished devotion 10 them.
l will ask permission here to express the pleas
ure with which / should have met my ancient
neghbors of the city of Washington and its vicin-
| tiles, with whom / passed SO many years of u
| pleasant social intercourse-an Intercourse which
SO much relieved the anxieties of the public cares,
| nd IN fitn rng ~ Avp1 IN nv
affections es never 10 be forgotten. With my re.
gret that i'll health forbds me the qualification oi
| an acceptance, be pleased TO receive for yourself
| and those for whom you write the assurance ol
my highest respect and friendly attachment
Tn; JEFFERSON.
THE BoURBoNs.
The democratic state central committee
met at Barnum's at noon to-day. There was
a full representation from every county III the
state. Senator German presided, and in his
speech. congratulated those present upon the
democratic unity prevailing in Maryland,
and he said he felt absolutely assured of q
presidential triumph for the party in 1884
| Among the most notable figures at tho meet
ing was ex-Gov. Philip f. Thomas, of Talbot
who, though past 20, is hale, vigorous, and o
marked mental vigor and clearness. He and
others exchanged congratulations at the
present condition of affairs, politically, IN
Maryland. Ex-Gov Thomas has filled the
positions of member o. the state legislature
member of congress, collector of the port
secretary of tho treasury under Buchanan
governor of Maryland, and in 1868 wai
elected to the United States senate but was
refused his seat on the ground of being dis
loyal to the government A feast of reason
followed the party deliberations in the shape
Of u generous collation..
PoLIcEMEN's CLUBS.
The clubbing of citizens by policemen is
not, as some persons may suppose, confined
to the police force of New York, If we may
Judge from some developments made in the
criminal court to-day. John benson, q
reputable citizen, had occasion recently Ia
punish his son for remaining out at a very
late hour, and Policeman Wardell, hearing
the noise in the house, entered and arrested
benson. The latter protested against the
arrest, resisted him, and finally struck him. ~
then struck him blow on the head, said
Wardell "only once" The Jail physician
testified that so many prisoners were brought
to that institution badly dubbed by police
men that il would be difficult for him 10 re-
member any particular case benson, who
was on trial for an alleged assault on the
officer, swore that Wardoll had clubbed him
numerically, so badly in fact that he was
blind the next day. After hearing his testi-
mony the state authorities abandoned the
case, and the jury at once returned verdict
Of mot guilty"
RURAL YOUTH,
William X. Kelburn, Of Browntown, w. Va,
is rural youth, who came to Baltimore to
purchase a stock of goods, bringing with him
In cash and checks some S7OO Last night he
had the temerity to venture into a very dis
reputable locality, and, lured by the smile OF
dusky charmer, entered her abode. When