The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1892-03-31
For Pretty Girls, the Cause of
the Downfall
Of William e. Russell the Minerva
Jeweler.
The Gay Fellow Made Criminal AS
saul, s on Other Girls.
A Young Lady whom He Tried TO
Ruin Tells Her Story.
A Eews-Demoorat Reporter Visits Mi
nerva and Secures Information Which
win be Head with Much Interest.

Tho little town of Minerva Is still talk
ing abou. VIM. Il. Russell, who is now
serving out Jail sentence for a criminal
assault made on Miss Lucinda Loutzen-
heiser. There are many rumors atloat
regarding the actions of Russell while in
| Minerva, and from all reports II would
seem as IL he had had some experience in
| the same line before he met Miss Lout.
zenheiser. In fact IL is claimed in Minerva
that Russell made several similar at
tempts on different young ladies OF the
| village, but did not succeed in accomplish
ing his purpose,
Readers Of the NEWS DEMOCRAT are ia
| miliar with the case for which Russell Is
now doing time ia Jail. II will be remem.
| bered that one evening he took Miss Luz
cinda Loutzenheiser home from church.
| They entered the front room and soon he
commenced an assault on her. BY main
force he accomplished his purpose. For
l some UNEXPLAINED reason the grand Jury
brought in verdict charging him with
assault and battery instead of rape. AT
| the trial he was convicted and sentenced
10 three months In Jail and fined 500.
A NEWS. DEMOCRAT reporter was sent 70
! Minerva yesterday to investigate the
stories regarding his actions while In that
l village, The investigation shows that in
l the other cases Russell did not go as far
| as he did with Miss Loutzenheiser, but
l that he acted in manner which was not
| only improper, but his conduct would
certainly lay him liable TO another SEN
tence for assault and battery. Russell has
friends in Minerva who believe him inno-
cent, yet there are many who think ne
should now be doing time in the OHIO
penitentiary instead OF the jail:
1t seems that shortly after he came to
Minerva, Russell began paying attentions
to different young ladies'. He was very
ond of the company OF the girls but was
not content with listening to their
conversation or sweet music. ihe
pretty eyes and bright smiles of the young
ladies' did not safety him. BY the way
Minerva has as many pretty girls as any
place OF its size In the state, When Rus
sell visited the girls he wanted
THE BLINDS PULLED DOWN
And the light turned low. He usually pre-
ferred to have the girls on his knee, when
he would clasp them in loves warm en-
brace and imprint kiss after kiss on the
pretty lips. Had he been content at this
manifestation of his love and admiration
all would probably have ended well and
he would not now be in the county jail.
ASSAULTED MISS SHEPPARD.
Residing in Minerva is young lady
named Miss Minnie Sheppard. she is
pretty as a peach, with a handsome figure.
The reputation of the fair girl is above
reproach and she enjoys the confidence
and esteem of all who know her. Russell
made her acquaintance and one evening
accompanied her home. This was the
last time he ever called on Mics Sheppard
and the gossips for sometime past have
been circulating the story that he assaulted
her. The young lady was seen yesterday
by a NEwS-DEMoCRAT reporter. She was
some what backward about telling the
story but flually admitted that one even
ing Russell took her home and she in
yited him into the front room. Soon he
commenced operations In the usual man
ner. Miss Sheppard is person who looks
as IL she could take care of herself and from
all accounts, on the evening in question
she did so, much to the regret and disgust
of Russell. She repulsed his attacks and
finally he caught hold of her, and at
tempted by force to accomplish his pur-
pose. He was ordered from the place in
manner more forcble than elegant, and
the young lady has never slnce been
bothered by Russell.
HE ADMIRED MISS TAYLOR.
Russell also paid some attention to Miss
Taylor, most estimable young lady. 1t
Is claimed that he assaulted her, but was
not successful in accomplishing his de-.
sign. Miss Taylor was out of the city and
consequently could not be seen by the
reporter.
WANTED THE LIGHTS TURNED Low.
Shortly after coming to Minerva, Rus
sell commenced paying his attention TO
sister of j. +. Kurtz, the well-known
jeweler of that city. He called at the
mouse several times, but Mr.. Kuriz finally
succeeded in keeping him away, claiming
he was too fresh on short acquaintance.
After he had been ordered 10 keep oil the
premises, Russell visited the house
for the purpose OF getting. Miss Kuriz
to come TO Canton and testify in
his behalf. On this occasion the young
lady was at home alone and Russell enter
ed without knocking. Mr.. Kurtz was seen
by the reporter but could not say whether
Russell had ever made any improper adj
vances to his sister. He knew, however,
always wanted the blinds pulled down ard
the lights turned low. 1t was impossible to
see Miss Kurtz and consequently her
story could not be- obtained.
SECURING EVIDENCE.
The good people of Minerva object to
the manner in which Russell attempted d to
secure evidence to be used at the trial. He
stopped several young ladies on the street
and asked them to come to Canton and
testify in his behalf. He said he wanted
them to swear that he had kept company
with them, and had never done anything
out OF the way. The girls who belong to
the best families In Minerva refused to
have anything TO do with the dirty case,
which greatly enraged Russell and hs
threatened several of them. He told one
of the young ladies that his attorney would
be down to see her In few days, and that
he was a mighty nice young fellow and
perhaps she could make mash OH him.
THREATENED TO SHOOT RUSSELL.
A brother of Miss Louizenheiser's was
greatly enraged after he discovered the
manner in which Russell had treated his
sister. He threatened 20 shoot him on
'sight but was restrained by the marnhal
and prevailed upon 70 allow the law to
ia Ike its course. The majority of the peo-
pie OF Minerva arc by no means satisfled
with the punishment given Russell. They
think in the first place that he should
have been indicted for rape and in the
second place, as he was only indicted for
assault and battery, he should have receiv-
ed the limit of the law,