Montgomery County sentinel., 1888-03-30
An Outrageous sAssault-statements

Of Both Parties. Following are the cir
cumstances of the assault by r. w. Ogder
upon Miss Catharne Fowler at her home
in Prince Georges county, on Tuesday
morning of last week:
Miss Fowler is sister of Ogden's wife
and lived with her mother and two brothers
about five miles from Washington city on
the Bladensburg road. She is over thirty
years of age, and was at home with her
brothers Monday night, her mother being
absent. Ogden, who is thirty-five years Of
age, resides with his family near Four Cor
ners, this county. Monday evening he went
to visit his mother-in-law's family. After
an evening spent in social intercourse Og-
den was shown to bed reem in the second
story of the house, opposite the room oc-
cupied by Miss Fowler, her brothers occu,
pying sleeping apartments down stairs
Miss Fowler, about midnight, hearing some
one in the room asked who it was, ad Ogden
answered ats me-" She demanded to know
what he wanted, when he seized her, placing
his hand firmly over her mouth, threatening
to kill her if she made any outcry and ac-
complished his felonous purpose. Ogden
left the house early Tuesday morning. Miss
Fowler remained in her room until after his
departure. Then she related her story, as
including her mother, who had returned
home. After family council Miss Fowler
went to Squire Hurley's and procured a
warrant charging Ogden with the offense.
This was placed in the hands of Sheriff
Darnall and he at once started to arrest the
accused man. He was found Wednesday
evening, near McCeney's farm, playing a
game of cards. He expressed surprise when
informed of the warrant, and said to the
sheriff, Come out here and I'll fix it up"
The sheriff replied, you can't do that; you
are under arrest" The prisoner was subse-
quently taken before Justice Hurley, where
Miss Fowler gave her testimony with much
emotion, Ogden appearing unconcerned
Ogden after hearing her testimony was
about to contradict her, but the Justice
stopped him, saying any statement he had
could be made in court. The commitment
was at once made out, and the sheriff took
the prisoner, by train, to Marlboro, and
lodged him in jail. By this time there had
been serious talk among the neig ghbors of the
Fowler family about lynching Ogden, and,
after the sheriff had left with the prisoner,
an attempt was made to organize party to
visit Marlboro Jail. Ogden has been living
on the farm of his aunt, near -Four Corners,
and was reared in Prince Georges county.
Some years ago his father was shot and
Killed at Surrattsville, at an election, by
Mr.. Jarboe, on whom he had drawn Il re-
volver to keep him from voting. He has a
wife and four children.
oGDEN's vERsoN.
A dispatch from Upper Marlboro, dated
March 25th, says: "Lemuel Ogden, who is
confined in the county Jail, charged with
having committed felonous assault upon
Miss Catharine Fowler, of Hyattstown, Mon
day last, says he made no assault upon Miss
Fowler He admits remaining at Mrs. Fow.
ler's house. He says he did remain Monday
night at Fowlers, and did not leave there
until A. M. Tuesday. From there he went
nearly to Wilson's Station, on the b. d z.
X. r., and returned to Mrs. Fowler's and
asked for "a bundle left there for him He
saw Miss Fowler when he returned to the
house, and she gave him the bundle He
went from there to his home, which is in
Montgomery county, and made no attempt
to escape He says he was not arrested un-
til Wednesday night. He states that he
asked to be taken To Miss Fowler's, but was
told he would not be allowed To see her
until the trIai. He further states that Miss
Fowler did not swear that any threats of
violence were made. Ogden has written to
Senator Peter, OF Montgomery county, to
defend him. Court will begin here on Mon
day, April 2, when Ogden will be tried"