Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-06
THE DOG HEARD HER CRY.

springing Between His Yonng Mistress
and Negro just IN Time to save Her
Life.
BALTIMORE, April 3.--FOrty armed and
mounted men rausacked all Baltimore
county last night searching for Howard
Cooper, the young negro who feloniously
assaulted Miss Kate Gray,t q 20-year-old
daughter of MIR. u. G. Gray, farmer
living near Roc sand The pursuers
are all young farmers, and they carry
with them 20 feet OF one.half inch hemp,
with winch they do not hesitate to say
they will hang Cooper as soon as they
can catch him. The Sherid7s officers are
with them, but 1t is not probable that they
can arrest the vengeance Of the pursuing
party. CoOper's crime was an atrOcious
one. His victim is n bright and pretty
young woman, school teacher, and the
belle of the rural district IN which she
lives.
Yesterday afternoon Miss Kate Gray,
In company with her sister Susie, went to
the railroad station, one mile from the
house, where susie took train. Kate
then started homeward alone. When she
had reached u retired spot about half way
between the station and her home she saw
coiOrcd man get over tho fence. His
looks alarmed her, aud she began to
walk on more quickly. The negro
also quickened his pace, and com
ing up with her, made insulting
proposals. Although much frightened,
she piclsed UP a large stone and hurled 1t
at the negro, striking him In the face. He
then seized her, and desperate struggle
ensued. He dragged her to the fence,
over which he threw her, and at once at
tempted an assault. Her resistance was
SO great that, fearing some one would
hear her, he dragged her 200 yards into
the woods, down a hill, and into a &C.
cluded rayine about 800 yards from her
fathers gate, where he again attempted
an assault. After q struggle of about an
hour, he led her to stream Of water, where
he ordered her TO wash the blood from
her face and hands. She did so. He then
proposed to let ber 20 IL she would prom
Use not to tell of the assault. She made
the promise, but he Immediately repeated
the attempt, and she tainted. When she
recovered be threatened to kill her, and,
picking up heavy stick, raised il over
her, She thought he meant to fulfil his
threat, and she knelt down at his feet and
prayed to God TO pity her. When she
bad finished, he again raised his club.
Then she gave one last despairing ehriek,
which was heard at her home, but was
HoL uuUeTsJOOu DY any one.
Her large Scotch shepherd dog heard
the cry, and sprang across an intervening
cOrndeld at breakneck speed. Plunging
down the ravine, the dog dashed in the
direction of his mistress, who caught sight
of him at the moment the club was raised
in air. She sprang TO one side, and with
a last effort ran toward her protector.
The negro followed, but the dog sprang
between them, and the girl shrieked in
cessantly. Becoming alarmed, Cooper
threw HIS club at the dog and fed down
the ravine. The girl tottered across the
cOrnfeld, fainting twice. The barking OF
her dog called the family to the front
porch, where she found was insensible.
Mr.. Gray seized his shotgun, and, nd
ing into the village, called for volunteers
20 search for the negro. Every able
bodied man responded. At about 9
O'Clock last night the Sheriff and his
deputy traced Cooper to a hut I'm the
woods near TOwson. One approached from
the rear and the others from the front. The
night being dark, Cooper managed to es-
cape by jumping from a side window.
Eight shots were fired at his retreating
figure without effect. He was traced for
several hundred yards, and then his track
was lost. His cap and vest were found
in the hut.