New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-21
HOWARD COOPER FOUND GUILTY.
TO LYNCH THE PRISONER.
MISS GRAY's STORY OF HIS FIENDIsH cRIME-nER
FAITHFUL DOGS TO THE RESCUE.
m TELEoRApH 90 rHn TRInUNE.
May 20.-The trial Of Howa


BALTIMORE, May 20.-The trial Of Howard
Cooper the negro who committed outrageous
assault on Miss Katie Gray, a daughter of johnson
Gray who lives near Rockland, April 2, begun
In the Criminal Court to-day To prevent attempt
on his re the prisoner was brought from the Jail at
! a. H. guarded by six deputy wardens, four OF whom
were locked In the prison with him, while two rode
on the outside. Warden Morrison drove behind in
| MS buggy. When the arrived at the Court House
| only few persons there but little later
the crowd began to pour into the building. In short
time the rotunda densely packed, while hundreds
surrounded the house Not knowing the prisoner was
already inside they patiently waited for the In the
crowd we're many persons from Baltimore County who
were knownto have been engaged the hunt for Cooper
with the Intention Of lynchng him. 1t soon became
| known that the prisoner had been brought to
the courtroom early in the morning. and the
knowledge caused considerable indignation among the
spectators Of whom mutered threats OF what they
had Intended to do II they had him. When the
doors Of the courtroom thrown open rush was
made FOR admittance, but detachment Of police officers
kept back all excepting those having business with the
Court Even these werc subjected to the closest scru-
tiny as 1t had been rumored that persons IN disguise
had planned sche effect entrance to the court
for the purpose of assassinatng tho prisoner.
After much trouble jury selected nlne-tenths
OF the population OF Baltimore City and County have
long ago made up their minds that Cooper deserved
hN'"H' AHo uctolls vi inc assault WcIb 80
that 1t was thought that Miss Gray would appear
letting the trial go by default for it that
Cooper would be killed before he was hour free
IL was the case was brought TO this city. for threats
had been made to shoot MIN in the court If his trial
took place In the county. and all previous attempts TO
capture the county jail proved unsuccessful.
At l2:lJ y. M. states Attorneys Kerr and Burke
tered the court through the Judges room followed
by Miss Gray. her father and mother. Moth
or and daughter dressed in deep
mourning with their faces covered by heavy Grape wells
As they passed the prisoner gazod upon them cooly
Miss Gray tail brunette. OF progressing appear
ance, with dark hair worn IN bangs, and large brown
eyes. She AMI given seat in front OF the
jury with her father aud mother by her Side She
her evidence In a clear voice. she said that she lived
with her father one mile from Rocklind station,
twcnty.thrcc years Of age and unmarried The family
composed Of herself her father and mother three
sisters and brother She described tho spot where the
assault occurred lonely gloomy place The country
she said abounds IN hills and valleys. and dense forests
Of oak and pine
On April =. about p. m. she returning from
Rocklaud station alons a narrow path leading thro Ugh
the forest To her fathers house. she met Cooper. and
she passed him she spoke and went He returned her
situation. lie wened his way up the road some d,
lance aud she reached the thick part OF the woods,
she started to turn into the path which led
10 her home This path through about
mile OF woods. AMI then through field 10 her
home she turned toward the fence she looked back
and the prisoner whom she Identified following her
rapid pace. She quokened her steps but before she
reached the fence he By her side. lie held large
stone IN his hand
Almost frightened TO death, she ookeI around
FOR help bit could see no one and then
She determined TO defend herself best she could. She
picked up aud struck At him Cooper I'm return
struck her violent blow the head with stone which
he carried. INJECTING a wound from which the blood
flowed. lie then struck her the boty ami beat her
about head until she fell on her knees. stunned,
whernpon be grabbed hold OF her She screamed for
help. bus all to avail. Cooper clapped his rough
hand over mouth aud dragged her down To the road
and then putting around hsr waist and claspng
her left his he took her through the woods
threw her over The fence lie then took her by both
hands aud pulled her along IN half run. Her
wounded head bleeding prOfuscly The
place whore he took her in the thicScst part
OF the forest ont OF sight OF the road.
After he had tortured her for than an hour her
the hill Ia her Cooper upon seeing them.
She oyeriOyed that help hal come az last and the
brutcs remained BY her until she reached home.
The Jury after hearing further evidence returned
verdict Of guilty without leaving their seats
The verdict received with applause. The prisoner
The penalty OF his crimo in this State
s. death He will doubtless suffer the extreme penalty
he viii be as-a-nated II MS life Is spared by the law
Besides public IL aroused his crime that any
other sentence hut death might produce laTlessncss
the part OF mob