The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-08

Baltimore, April 3.-Forty armed and
mounted men ra~nsacked all Baltimore
county last night searching for Howard
Cooper, the young negro who feloniously
assaulted Miss Kate Gray, the 20 year
old daughter of Mr.. ID. C. Gray, a far
mer living near Rocklaud. The pur-
suers are all young farmers, and they carry
with them twenty feet of half-inch hemp,
with which they do not hesitate to say
they will hang Cooper as soon as they
can catch him. The Sheriff officers are
with them, but it is not probable that
they can arrest the vengeance ofthe pur-
suing party. Cooper's crime was an
and pretty young woman, a school
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 a train. Kate
then started homeward alone. When
she had reached a retired spot about half
way between the station and her home
she saw a colored man get overthe fence.
His looks alarmed her, and she began to
walk on more quickly. The negro also
quickened his pace, and, coming up with
her, made lnsulsng proposals. Although
much frightened, she picked up a large
stone and hurled 1t at the negro, striking
him in the face. He then seized her,
and a desperate struggle ensued. He
dragged her to the fence, over which he
threw her, and at once attempted an as
sault. Her resistance was so great that,
fearing some one would hear her, he
l-l - Dnn -a-l 49, -
down a hill, and into a secluded ravine
about 300 yards from her fathers gate,
where he again attempted an assault.
After a struggle of about an hour, he led
her to a stream of water, where he o.
dered her to wash the blood from her face
and hands. She did so. He then pro-
posed to let her go if she would promise
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 a heavy stick. raised it over
her. She thought he meant to fulfill his
threat, and she knelt down at his feet
and prayed to God to pity her. Wher
she had finished, he again raised his
club. Then she gave enc last despairing
shrek, which was heard at her home,
but was not understood by any one.
Her large Scotch shepherd dog heard
the cry, and sprang across an intervening
cornfeld at ~breakneck speed. Plunging
down the %ravine, the dog dashed in the
direction Of his mistress, WIN 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 Gog 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
cornfield, t~ainting twice. The barking
of her dog called the family to the front
porch, where she was found insensible.
Mr. Gray seized his shotgun, and, rid
ing into the village, called for volunteers
to search for the negro. Every able
bodied man responded. At about 9 0 o'clock
last night the Sheriff and his deputy
traced Cooper to a hut 10 the woods near
Towson. One approached from the rear
and the others from the front. The
night being dark, Cooper managed to es-
cape ~ 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
10 the hut.