Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-08-02
SENSATIONAL CASE.
Indecent Advances With an Eleven-Year-
Old Girl.

Indecent Advances With an Eleven-Year-
Old Girl.
Constable Lauchlin, while passing
through the Fifth ward market house
shortly after o'clock yesterday after
noon, witnessed fight between two
young men, and placed the participants,
Frank Moran and William c. Florence,
under arrest. on charge Of fighting.
The hearing took place in Squire
Ankles Office last night at 1880, and the
testimony brought out was very dam
aging to one OF the defendants, VIM.
Florence, and cousin by the same
name.
Moran testified that he was passing 8
through the market house, when his
attention was drawn to little girl who
was setting on a bench between the
two men, crying and strugg- ing TO get
about her while the other had
one hand on the girls shoulder
and the other beneath her clothes. He
demonstrated with the men, young
Florence replied, and quarrel ensued
Florence following him as he walked
down through the m arket house. he
turned around and struck him, and
during the fight which followed wa:
kicked several times by Florence. The
other man interfered, and then Con-
stable Lauchlin appeared on the scene
and placed both under arrest.
Florence Reymann, the bright little
girl, who is only about eleven years OF
age, was next placed on the stand. She
testified that she had known VIM. Flor
ence for some time, and had been fre-
quently annoyed by his persistent at
tentions. He had several times offered
money II she would kiss him. Yester-
day afternoon she was attending
market with her father, who
is q huckster, and during
his absence was setting one OF
the stands. The two Florences were
sitting near her, when the older told
her she was afraid to SIT close by him.
She replied that she was not, and sat
down at the place indicated by Florence,
between the two men. The older man
put his arms around her, and the other
placed one hand on her shoulder and
the other upon her limb. He also grab
bed her at the breast. Her story OF the
fight corroborated that told by Moran.
The evidence of the two Florences
contradicted that OF Moran and tho Rey-
mann girl. They admitted having
their arms about her, but denied taking
any indecent liberties. They also de-
MED that the girl was crying and trying
to get away. Their testimony was con-
flicting in several points. Constable
Lauchlin testified that the girl was
standing a short distance away when
he made the arrest. and was crying.
The girls father said the child came
home crying, and refused TO return 70
the market house. but would not tell
what was wrong.
After hearing the evidence the
Justice delivered severe lecture TO the
two men, and said he regretted that the
law did not provide for more severe
punishment. Moran was honorably dis
charged, the Justice deciding that bis
conduct was justifable assault. VIM.
c. Florence was fined IS and costs for
assault and battery upon Moran. after
being arrested by Lsuchlin. and the
two men were fined $50 and costs each
the extreme penalty-for indecent as
sault, and In addition were required 70
give bond In the sum OF 500 for their
good behavior for one year. In default
OF payment OF fines, they were commit
ted to jail. William c. Florence, the
younger man, is about twenty years OF
age, and sells produce at the markets.
The other man is married, and is about
twcnty-eIght years Of age.