The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-02-10

WHcH liIJle AllCo lofry anu Jennlo
Critzer crossed the Jefferson street
bridge over the Roanoke river and pro-
ceeded up the south bank to their homes.
They were in sight of the homo in
which Alice lived, whom a colored man,
who had been walking in front of them
turned suddenly around, seized Alice
and threw her to the ground.
The other girl ran screaming away.
Little Alice struggled with her burly
black assailant and ere he accomplished
his purpose he saw danger, released his
victim and ran.
Mrs. Elizabeth Perry keeps board
ing house at Adams Bros. e Payne's
brick yard, on the Roanoke river, Just
at the Franklin street bridge, With
her lives her two children. Alice. lit
tie girl, over twelve years OF age, ard q
boy about 49, j. w. Adams, a brother
in'law of Mrs. Perry, together with his
wife, lives in tho same house. Mrs.
Perry is an Englishwoman and came to
America several years ago. Her hus-
band is dead, and SO she earns a living
by keeping boarders.
Around the house is clustered a num-
Der of dirty negro shanties, and when
the brick yard is running full force
these are crowded with mean-looking
set of negroes, who keep upa noise all
night. 1t is u dangerous place to raise
up children. but Mrs. Perry had always
a house full Of white boarders in whose
care she felt safe.
Monday afternoon she sent Alice to
East Roanoke to hire a colorcd woman
named Louise Wade. Little Jennie
Critzcr, neighbor's daughter, went
with Alice. Mrs. Perry told the girls to
go and come by the Jefferson street
bridge, as it was not SO muddy ,and.to get
back before dark.
After the two giils had crossed the
river their attention was attracted
by anogro man walking on the railroad.
lie eyed them narrowly and watched
after them for some time. He was Of
medium height, very black, had on
light gray suit of clothes and wore rub
Der boots.
Before the girls returned q man
named Reynolds was sitting on the bank
of the river with companion fishing.
They saw the same negro enter a small
unoccupied shanty near the bridge.
When the girls returned it was getting
dark. They hurried across tho bridge,
and proceeded up the bank of the river
They saw the same negro in front of
them. He was walking slow, and ever
and anon cast his eyes around and
looked at the girls.
Let us pass that man." said Alice.
81 do not like his looks
Just as the girls passed the negro and
were preparing to cross a footway over
deep ditch, the negro said:
"Does Mr.. Smith live about here:'
81 don't know said Alice, attempt
ing to move on.
Then the negro seized her. She tried
to get loose from his grasp, but
the william held her like a wise.
She called to little Jennie Critzer to
run and tell her uncle. Meanwhile she
screamed as loudly as she conld, and
Jennie an..across the board 18th t:spanned
the ditch and into her own house, a few
yards away.
The negro threw his tender little vic
tim down and attempted to outrage her.
The child screamed and kicked the
brute several times. He attempted to
gag her by stutiing her clothing in her
mouth. He then threw his weight upon
her, thinking he would stop her cries.
Just then someone screamed, door
opened and shut and the negro jumped
up and ran in the direction of the
bridge.
When Jennie Critzcr ran for help she
ran into her own house, nearly fright
ened to death. She gasped that negro
had caught Alice and was killing her.
Charles Critzer, her father, ran out and
gave the alarm But just then Alice,
who had escaped, ran in the door and
cried out:
"oh, mother, an old black negro tried
to kill me :"
Mrs. Perry was very much frightened,
and, having just recovered from spell
OF sickness, it was several hours before
She recovered.
Charles Critzer and Mr.. Adams. the
little girls uncle, armed themselves and
started out. Two other men Joined them
and the party made general search
for the william. They secured the bank
of the river. looked in every shanty
went 20 the lower brick yard and then
about9 o'clock started to town
They looked around for some time
and reported the fact to several police
men They told no one else but asked
the aid of the officers to help them
catch the man But the police did not
seem to appreciate the gravity of the
case and made no effort to investigate
the matter.
The party then returned and searched
until | | O'Clock at night. 1t is supposed
that the negro came to Roanoke and
then went back, for Mr. Byrd, who
keeps a wagon yard near tho bridge,
saw negro who, as near as he remem
bers, answers the description. Mr..
Byrd was coming into the city about
9:30 o'clock and carried an unlighted
lantern in his hand.
Between Eigth and Ninth avenues he
met negro on the board walk. lie
saw the lantern in Mr.. Byrd's hand.