Morning journal and courier., 1890-03-01
sG CRIME.


 .S- The William Arrested and
 .sound over. ,t.
 WATERBURY, Conn.,, Feb. 2s.-Miss Lizzie cowan of Middlebury, twenty years old, hsndsome and popular school teacher, was brutally assaulted while on her way home from school just after dark last night and | her injuries are believed to be serious. She | was irst struck with . large stone on tho side of tho head and then grabbed from be- | hind and thrown to the ground. She made . bold fight for over thirty minutes before she was overcome. She lay by the road side unconscious for about two hours; then dragged herself to the home of Henry At wood, where Dr. Axtelle of this city and Dr. Do Forest of Middlebury were summoned. Her throat wasgashed as if with knife, her skull badly bruised by the stone, her body was covered with bruises and her clothing torn to shreds. After regaining conscious ness she could not identify her assailant, she said, but after one Dan Webster, worthless fellow who had been idling about town. was arrested on suspicion she positively identi- fed him by his voice. There is much ex- citement in Middlebury over the assault. Webster has confessed to the terrible deed and was tried this morning and bound over. Miss Cowan's condition is still critical. She is daughter of Milkman Cowan, who was killed some time ago while driving across the Consolidated railroad track at Nauga- tuck, and sister of Stewart Cowan of the New York bar. The victim is graduate of the Waterbury High school and has resided in this city for some time.
 Msllory's Corners, where the assault was committed, is lonely spot quarter of Q mile from the nearest house and just the place where crime of this character might be perpetrated with little possibility of at- tracting attention. The girl must have made | hard fight, for she is quite robust and the | man rather small and boyish in appearance. The school Is located in the very center of | the old town right between the two churches | and Is tho chief school of the town, . two. story, square, white building familiar to those who have driven through that place. They were making preparations for public examination teddy and two or three of her sisters were with Miss Cowan, putting the blackboards in readiness. Tbey were to have an opportunity to ride home, but Lizzie, fearing there might not be room for all, left tho building at 5:35 to walk to her home, which is about two miles away, southwest of Longmeadow pond, southeast | of the center, and which is very pleasant place. After she had gone . mile and . half and had reached what ia known as Mallory'a Corners, man sprang out of the bushes snd came up to her, whereupon she stepped back. ! He at once made an attack upon her, but she, | being of good size and strength, drove him back. He then shouted, "I will kill you!' and struck her with stone. From that time che remembers little. It is apparent, how. ever, that she was dragged over the stone wall near by, and that an attempt was made
 to Rnish the job by cutting her throat.
 She must have remained unconscious for
 some time, though she is satisded that the
 rascal was frightened away, probably by the very Lonesome place, the nearest house being some distance away. It was o'clock when che appeared at the door of Henry Atwood's, . half mile further on toward her home. She | opened the door herself and went in and lay down on the lounge, no one being in the | room. MT. Atwood soon entered the room,
 but did not recognize her, and inquired' "What does such business at this meanp
 | Thereupon she raised herself on her elbow and replied: "You don't know me, but am LisxIe Cowan." Mrs. Atwood came iE at once to administer to her needs, while Mir. | Atwood, much astounded, gave the alarm, and sent for Dr. Spring of Naugatuck, who was sick. and then for Dr. Forest. It was 2 short time only before c large crowd had | collected ready to find the man and to punish | him according to his dsserts. From Miss n Webster was the man wanted. He is half.
 breed who came to town from Barkhamstesd
 e transient about year ago and was am ployed by Homer Atwood as farm hand It is said-that he had served term in thu
 state reform school. Constable George
 Pope found him at Homer Atwood,
 just returning from doing his work d
 the barn, carrying an OK whip and lanterr In his hand. He profeesed great surprise
 firmly declaring that he had heard and knev nothing about the affair. But the constable
 took him to Henry Atwood's house and Mie Cowan ct once identified him. At an ex
 animation made later 1t was found tha
 webster's clothing was covered with blood
 his handkerchief was stained with blood, ant
 he bore personal evidence of the struggle
 This was testimony too strong against him
 He pleaded guilty and seemed to be mucl
 alarmed. Miss Cowan is . girl of lovel!
 character. .. a.r, e. U ~I-