Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-04-03
SYNOPSIS OF THE CRIME.
THE OUTRAGE

THE OUTRAGE
On November 9th, 1890, Miss Bertha
Phipps, young white girl, sixteen
years of age, while on her way 10 milk
cows between seven and eight o'clock
in the morning, was suddenly seized
from behind and thrown violently to
the ground, by the negro Forbes. She
struggled and fought 10 release herself
from the Villains grasp the best she
could, but was finally oyerpowered, and
most brutally outraged Her screamswere
distinctly heard by several colored
persons in the neighborhood. but they
failed to 60 10 her assistance. After her
release from the villain, she ran to the
house about quarter of mile away,
and related her assault to her widowed
mother and uncle with whom she lived.
The country around was searched for
the assailant of the victim, who with
three other colored men were arrested
and taken before the young lady whO
finally identified Forbes as her assailant.
He attempted TO make his escape and
was shot at and wounded in the shout
der. So great was the indignation of the
people, it was with difficulty that the
officers prevented him from being lynch
ed on the spot. He was taken before
Justice Jehn II. Hopkins of the district,
who committed him to Jail, and the pris-
oner was brought here ON Friday after
noon by w. Hank Owens, constable, and
safely lodged1n the county Jail.
The excitement of the people in the
nsighborhood where the crime was COM
mitted, soon began to spread and it was
reported that party of lynchers would
attack the Jail and take the prisoner by
force and lynch him. The Sheriff in or
der to protect his prisoner. attempted
on Saturday night to take him to some
place of safety for the night, with the in
tention of taking him to the Baltimore
city Jail He had not proceeded far
from the Jail when the Deputy and his
prisoner were espied by crowd of col
ored men in the neighborhood, who con-
ceived the idea that the deputy was Igo
ing to turn the man over to the lynchsrs
aud they attempted his capture. Soon
mob was gathered in the streets and
Deputy Small with his prisoner were
driven into a store on West street The
greatest excitement prevailed and it
took the combined force of the police
and posse of deputies to drive the mob
back. The prisoner was finally gotten
back to the Jail, and strong guard
placed around the building for the night.
During the melee one colored man was
shot, and police officer slightly wound
ed. As further protection against any
violence the Governor Guards with about
as muskets, in command of Capt. Green,
were ordered out, who guarded the bull
ding throughout Sunday. On Monday
morning, the prisoner was securely
hand cUffed, and in company with Dep
uty Sheriff Small, was taken To the Bal
timore City Jail where he remained un-
til his trial and conviction. 4
ACTION o. THE COURT. z
On Thursday, November 18th, Judge
Miller issued an order converting the Cir
cult in special session on the Ord of
December to try the prisoner On Fri
day, November 18th, abe jury was drawn.
SPECIAL TERM OF COURT.
On Tuesday. December 2, The Circuit
Court was convened in special session
for the trial of Forbes, and the following
grand jury was drawn: Samuel Brooke,
foreman; E. C. Collinson. w Ell Ditty, c.
w Owens. f. L. Hancock, Tbos. S. lyle
hart, G. A. Sullivan, Horace Tydings, C.
B. Donaldson, G. E. Stockett. j. S. Owens,
Edwin G. Colt, W. H. Talbot, Dan'l. Med
ford. Jno ii. Jones. Jno. Il. Hunt, Isaac
Cox. Joseph Shepherd, DIR. r. H. Green,
Geo. NJ. Taylor, E. L. Gather, w. H. Rull
man. The grand jury retired to their
room and in half an hour returned true
bill of indictment Application was
made by the prisoners counsel for re-
moval of the case to Baltimore city, which
was objected TO by States Attorney Nun
roe. The Court adjourned until next
day. when Judge Miller signed the order