South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1885-04-10

I Sprioeing Between His Young Nistrsss and Q
Negro Just in Time to Save Her Life.
BALTIMORE. April 3.--Forty armed
and mounted men ransacked all Bsl.,-
more county last night searching for
Howard Cooper, the young negro who
felouiously assaulted Miss Kate Gray.
the 20-yoar.old daughter Of Mr. d. G..
Gray, Q farmer living near socklsnd.
The pursuers are oil 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
Sherifrs officers are with them, but IL 10
not probable that they can arrest the
vengeance OF the pursuing party.
Cooper's crime was ar a,rocious one
His victim is bright and pretty young
woman, q school teacher, aad the heils
oil the rural district IN which she lives
Yesterday afternoon Miss Kate Gray
in company with her sister Susie, wen,
to the railroad station, one mite from
the house, where SUSIE took traiu
ka,e then started homeward alone.
When she had reached q retired spot
about half way between the station and
her home she saw colored man get
over the fence. His looks alarmed her.
and sic began TO walk on more quickly.
The negro also quickened his pace, and
coming up with her. made insulting pro.
posals. Although much frightened sue
picked up large stone and hurled i,
at tho negro, striking him in tho face.
He then seized her, AMI desperate
struggle ensued. He dragged her to
the fence, over which be threw her, and
at once attempted an assault. Her re.
sistance was so great that, fearing some
ono would hear her, he dra ged her 200
yards into tho woods, down q hill, and
into a secluded raviue abou. 500 yards
from her fathers gate. where he again
attempted an assault. After q struggle
of about an hour he led her to q stream
OF water, where he ordered her TO wash
Tue blood from her face and hands. She
did so. He then proposed to let her
60 if she would promise not to tell of
the assault. She made the promise, but
lie immediately repeated the attempt,
and she tainted. When che recovered
he threatened to kill her, sad, picking
up heavy stick, raised il over her. She
thought he meant to fulfil his threa,,
and she knels down at his f>et and
prayed to GOD to pity her. When she
had finished, he again raised his club.
Then she gays one last despairing
shriek. which was heard at her home,
bat was not Understood by any one.
Her large Scotch shepherd dog heard
the cry and sprang across an intsrven.
ing cornfeld at breaknecEl speed.
Plunging down the ravine. the dog
dashed in the direction OF. his mistress,
who caught sight of him at tho momer.t
the club was raised in air. She sprang
to one side, and with q last effort ran
lOhai0 hCi TIC lOI-
lowed, but the dog sprang bet neen
them, and the girl shrieked necessarily.
Becoming alarmed, Cooper threw his
club at the dog and fled 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 was found inscnsible. |
Mr.. Gray seized his shotgun, AMI,
riding into the village, called for volun.
teers to search for the negro. Every.
able bodied man responded. At about
9 o'clock last night the Sheriff and bis
deputy traced Cooper to hat in the
WOO is near Towson. One approached
from the rear and the others 'om tho
front. The night being dark. Cooper
managed to escape BY jumping rom
side window. Eight shots were fred
at bis retreating figure without effect.
He was traced for several hundred yards,
cod then bis track was lost. His cap
and vest were found in the hut.