Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-02-13
A DEvILIsH DEED.
A Fiend 0utrages a White
Girl i'm open
Daylight.

| This city was thrown into blaze OF
excitement on last Sunday by the news
of a villainous rape. Miss Mollie Fellers
has for several months been employed
in the family of Mr.. Andy Marstellar,
of Baltimore, as domestic. Last Sun
day she resolved to pay her parents,
who reside about one mile from this
place, an unexpected visit. She arriv-
ed here about II O'Clock, and started
down the railroad for her home. When
near point on the railroad known as
the Rattling Bridge, where high banks
of slate hide the track from side or
straight view, she noticed negro step
out from behind a coal-hopper, and
as she approached he remarked "Step
this way, Miss" AT the same time he
indicated that a train was coming
There was something in the sullen,
hurried tones of the voice that filed the
girls mind with apprehension and
dread, SO she stepped in an opposite di-
rection from him. Then, with fierce
oath he grabbed the terrified girl, and
commenced dragging her towards the
sloping slate wall. Weak woman as
she was, the victim struggled violently
| to protect herself and honor, and at
tempted to scream, but in vain for the
black fiend filled her mouth with snow
and finally accomplished his object. He
then took from little satchel which
1 the girl carried, small sum of money
and walked away, but had not gone far
before an old colored man, named
Fairfax, met him. Miss Fellers sprang
to her feet as soon as the ravisher dis
appeared and walked home as best she
could, falling in dead faint upon the
floor. The negro then went to the
shoeshop of respectable colored man
named Alex Gibson, and upon entering
remarked, 81 expect to have big row
about white girl"
The news of the assault and rape
spread speedily, and soon large crowd
was at the scene of the crime. A
search began and crowd, headed by
Mayor G. O. Lambert traced the crimi-
nal to the aforesaid shoe-shop. He at
first resisted the attempt to arrest him,
but the Mayor marched him up town in
hurry, to Justice Matthaei's office.
After preliminary hearing, be was
sent to Jail to appear before the Court
on Monday morning. On Monday
morning, the Court gave him hearing,
and he was sentenced to jail to await
the actions of the April term of Court.
Miss Fellers appeared as witness at
the same time and pronounced the pri-
soner as the ravisher. Judge Faulkner
charged the Jailor and Sheriff to guard
the prisoner and allow no lawlessness to
remove him from the Jail.
Miss Fellers was severely bruised and
her clothing torn into shreds. She is
quiet, well-behaved lady of % years, of
poor, but respectable parentage. Her
parents are very much distressed by the
occurrence and have the sympathy and
pity or the whole community.
The prisoner, Joseph Burns. is no.
torious character. Twice in Jail and
just back from confinement in the
State penitentiary, he forms another
link in the chain of his crime. He is
heavy -set, coal.black fellow, about five
feet, three inches in height and some
where in the neighborhood of 81 years
of age. His countenance is an index
of his cold, heartless nature; and his
braggadocia, and apparent indifference
are themes of general conversation.
Public feeling is very bitter towards
the prisoner, and vengeance is demand
ed. But the law on this subject should
be needed and respected. The penalty
for rape is death, and it is but right
that law should prevail. 1t is hard for
honest, peaceable citizens and law
abiding community, to be tainted and
dishonored by the presence of such a
vile, sinister rascal; but violence and
lawlessness should not be practised. Be
patient, and await the actions of the
right authority in the matter.
AMPUTATED THIGH. Mr.. William
Harley was injured on the B. d o. Rail-
road, at Cherry Run, about two weeks