The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-24

OF are Brntally Attempts 10 Rape Two
Helpless children, aged Respectively
and ~ Years.
Never in the quaint old historic town
Of Hampers Ferry, has more excitement
and bitter feeling been stirred up than
at present. The citizens generally are
discussing at every corner, almost, a
crime terrible and heinous, that boz
smirches the good name Of the town.
and belittles the fair name of class
Of citizens beyond reproacl and ques-
ton The people Of Harpers Ferry
are law-abiding, peaceable, and re-
spectacle. Asa result a heinous crime
cannot help but bring about bad feel
ing, and infringe on their pride.
On Friday evening man named j.
P. Cleveland, aged about 40 years.
went to the home Of Mrs. Dietz, who
lives in this State on the South East
side Of the Shenandoah River, at Har-
pers Ferry, and attempted to rape two
infant children, aged respectively Z
and IL years. He made his first at-
tempt on the elder one, but she escap-
ed and ran to hunt her mother, who
was gathering wild greens out in the
fields. Fooled in this attempt he caught
the younger one, and was in the act
Of accomplishing his purpose when hei
screams scared him off. Mrs. Dietz
was found and made haste to the house
just as Cleveland escaped. The two
children were overcome with fright,
and the little one especially was suffer
ling from the scuffle. They, (the chill
dren) stated that Cleveland offered
them several small beaded articles and
| five cents, but they refused him, and
| he then attempted to force them to
comply.
| Cleveland went to the Ferry and re-
mained there until Saturday night, be-
fore complaint was made against him.
On Monday morning Mrs. Dietz, with
the two children, went to the Ferry,
and swore ont warrant before Squire
Briggs. Cleveland got wind Of the
matter and left for parts unknown
Squire Briggs heard the complaint and
in his judgment considered the affair an
u
assault and battery, and agreed to let
Cleveland off if he would execute a
bond to keep the peace for one year.
1t was then learned that Cleveland
was at Sandy Hook, Maryland, and
would come back If his brother, living
near the Ferry. would go ON his bond.
But, however, his brother refused, and
he still remains at large.
4 This is the second offence Of the
kind committed by Cleveland within
the past three weeks. A short while
ago he attempted to rape a little girl
Of Mr.. Painters, aged III or - years,
doing her considerable damage, and
linjuring her physical condition.
Painter threatened to use the law in
this case, but released him under
promise that it would never occur
again. Painters character is none Of
the best, and this action did not at all
surprise the public.
4 Cleveland is a stone cutter by trade,
and lived in the Ferry. He was marri-
ed some years ago, but his wife died
within a year after their marriage. His
reputation and character is very bad.
4 Mrs. Dietz is widow, in poor cir
cumstances, andhas these two children
only. Her husband became insane
and died in the asylum about a, year
ago. Since then Samuel Gray has been
boarding with her, and assisting in the
support of the family.
i Ii is stated that Cleveland is consid-
erable1of drnnk8rd, and ON the Sat-
urday night referred to, told citizen
lin Harpers Ferry that he had been on
drunk for fourteen days. Several citi-
zens asked him on that night about
1.-THE matter and he denied the report
emphatically.