The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-06-07
A v1LLAINoUs TRAMP.
A Little Girl Assaulted this Morning on
the Way to School in Rapidan.
LynohIng Talked OF.

Word was received Tuesday after
noon of dastardly crime that was
committed in the town OF Rapidan,
seven miles from this city Tuesday
morning, at about half past eight
o'clock. Albert STATIONS two little
girls, aged eight and ten years, were on
their wav to school, half mile distant
from home, when they were intercepted
on the road by man, supposed to be Q
tramp. He caught the older girl and
threw her down on the ground and at
tempted to outrage her. Whether he
succeeded or not in his vile purpose
cannot be ascertained at the time Of GO
ing to press. The girl was greatly hurt.
A wagon driven by VIM. Jamison and
boy approached within few moments
after the tramp met the girls and as it
drew near the man fled to the woods. The
younger girl was greatly frightened and
ran to neighbours. The alarm was
quickly spread and the entire country
turned out to scour the woods and have
been searching for miles in all directions
the entire day. The people are excited
and if the william is caught 1t is possible
that he may be lynched. Mr.. Stratton,
on hearing of the crime, got his shot gun
and started after the tramp with the
The man Is described as rather tall,
wearing dark mustache and a thick
beard of few weeks growth. He
was dressed in fairly good black
clothes and wore black hat. He was
seen by several men and would easily
be recognized if caught.
The little girl is In rather precarious
condition, but just how badly she is hurt
is not known. No punishment could be
too severe for the villain if he is caught,
and no effort will be spared to secure
him. His worthless neck should feel
the hemp tighten, if his crime is as re-
ported.
The tramp who assaulted Mr.. STRAIT
toms little girl in Rapidan Tuesday
morning has not been seen since he
committed his crime. Mr.. Jennison and
wager, of Rapidan, were attracted by
the girls screams and gave chase to the
tramp, who fled towards the woods.
They nearly caught up with him, when
he turned and drew revolver on Mr..
wager, the one nearest to him. He thus
managed to escape. He was afterwards
accosted by another man, but refused to
look up or speak. Mr.. Stratton was in
the city Tuesday afternoon, and told
his story TO the sheriff. The latter, dep
uty Phillips and Constable Robel drove
out to Rapidan and aided the neighbors
in searching, They warned the country
around to be on the lookout. The to-
Biography of the country near where the
crime was committed is such that it
would be easy for a man to elude pur-
suit. 1t is wild and cut up by numerous
ravines, and covered with thick woods.
The man is doubtless we'll away from
this section by this time. He would
surely have been lynched had he been
caught, as the feeling against him is
deep.
The girl is not as badly injured as FIRST
reported. The tramp may have not sue
ceeded in accomplishing his purpose, as
he was too soon discovered, but the shock
was sufficient to make the child ill. The
family, of course, are nearly inconsola-
BILE, and have the deepest sympathy of
the neighborhood.