Mexico weekly ledger., 1892-12-29
AtrOciOus Austin.
ED. AUSTIN ATTEMPTS AN awful
CRIME UPON THE PERSON
OF MRS. SCHNEIDER.
The Wretch Captured in Mexico a Few
Hours After The Attempt-Con-
fesses and Pleads Guilty.

A few days ago Edward Austin,
claiming to hail from Chillicothe,
Mo-, appeared at the residence of
j. F. Schneider, 8 miles northwest
OF Worcester, and inquired for work.
Mr.. Schneider is { substantial farm
er and has a good deal of work
about his place in the winter time,
more than one can well do, so be
consented to give Austin a job.
Austin, who is a strong, robust
man, was taken in and treated as
one of the family, although he hard
ly has the appearance of a person
worthy of occupying an apartment
OF a respectable home. like Mr.. J..
F. Schneider's. He is a big, slouchy
looking man and has no indications
of civility or morality upon his coun-
tenance, and when he talks to a
person will look directly to the
ground.
1t was this man that Mr.. Schneid.
er unsuspiciously went from HON.
on Christmas afternoon to gathe,
friends for a party and left his wife
and child with.
The distance Mr.. Schneider went
was about ten miles. Before he
had gotten but a few miles Austin
appreciated an opportunity to salts
fly his lust and commit a horrible
crime.
The little child was fast asleep and
not a person but Mrs. Schneider and
Austin were moving around the
house, and showing signs of life.
During this quietude Austin went
in Mrs. Schneider's room. He APP
preached her. A terrific battle be-
van. The lady fought hard for her
honor and so loud were her cries for
help hat the little child was awak-
ened from its sleep. The wretch
combated ferociously for some little
time, but Mrs. Schneider was sue
cessfulin wearying him considerable,
all the while begging for mercy. He
knocked her down and got her upon
the bed and in his powerful efforts
to overcome her fight for life and
compel submission, he actually tore
the woman's clothes from her body.
Finally he gave it up and released
his victim. Mrs. Schneider, all
bruised and excited, ran out of the
house and hid behind the smoke.
house. The villain grabbed Mr..
Schneider's shot gun and made fol
the timber. He could not find any
ammunition and therefore threw the
gun away before he got far from the
house.
The alarm was Immediately given
and a posse of neighbors was soon
in pursuit. The country was scout,
ed without success until about mid.
night, when Austin appeared at the
Mexico Fire Brick Works to warm
himself. He had laid out in the
woods until he could not stand the
cold longer. Word=had been LEFT
| at the factory to watch for Austir
and his description given. Wher
he showed up the night men On the
works hastily informed the officers
of his presence and in short ordel
he was placed safely behind the bars
of our county Jail by night police
man Muir.
Monday morning he was ar
I raigned before Squire Winscot
for preliminary hearing. He plead
ed guilty of attempted rape and IL
default of a 81 900 bond raj relock
ed up.
Prosecuting Attorney Jesse being
absent L. P. Crigler was appointed
and filed the necessary papers
Mr.. and Mrs. Schneider are highl.
respectable people, Mrs. schneide
being a daughter of Squire Franz
Friar, of near Laddonia. The Ant
Horse Thief Association turned GU
in force and did good work in trail
ing the fend. The talk OF mobbini
Austin did not last long as all OF GU
people know that he will get fuI
'iustice at the hands of the law.