Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1893-06-07
A HELLISH CRIME :!
Another Black Brute Accomplish.
es His Purpose,
UPON THE PERSON OF A FRAIL
WHITE WOMAN.
Positive Evidence Against the Fend,
Who Now Languishes in the
Bowie County Jail.

terrible excitement, occasioned by a
horrible and hellish crime, committed
near her borders by negro fend,
upon the person ofa frail, but respect
able, white widow woman.
About noon today the full particu-
lars Of the atrocious and awful crime
became public, and the mutterings
and denunciations of a justly indig-
nant and outraged people were heard
on every side. Below we give the
full particulars, as we have been able
to gather them:
Night before last Mrs. - Ward, a
penniless, homeless and sickly widow
woman, who lives upon Maj. A, 9.
Aliens farm, about one and half
miles north of the city, in Bowie
county, was awakened by some one
throwing clothing over her head and
taking hold of her person, when she
tried to scream out; she could see by
the faint light coming in through the
window that it was negro man.
When she began trying to scream the
fiend incarnate caught her by the
throat, and, choking her, threatening
to kill her if she did not hush, pro-
ceeded to accomplish his hellish pur-
pose. Upon leaving he told her that
he would be back again, and if she ev-
er told anybody about what he had
done, would kill her. AS he went out
Mrs Ward, by the dim starlight, could
see he wore dark sack coat and black
slouch hat; also from the sound knew
that the scoundrel was either in his
bare feet, or wore socks without
shoes.
Early yesterday morning she went
to Maj. Allen, and told him every
thing, giving as full description of the
brute as she could, and telling him she
thought she recognized the voice as
that of Tom Figures, negro hand on
the place, burly fellow about 25
years of age. Maj. Allen at once came
in to the city, and laid the facts be-
fore The West side officers, who en-
joined him to strict secrecy. Officers
on this side were promptly notified
and Marshal Stanley Edwards, Justice
Haywood, together with Messrs.
Crenshaw and Grafton, went out to
the scene of the awful crime. Mrs.
Ward stated to them that she was not
absolutely certain it was Figures,
hence they determined to await fur
ther developments. During yesterday
the negroes actions were very sus-
picious-was sullen, would not eat
anything, and acknowledged he had
been wearing the clothing described
by Mrs. Ward, together with pair Of
rubber overshoes all of which were
found about the house in which he
lived. These things, and the further
fact that Mrs. Ward declared last
night that she would then positively
swear it was Figures who had raped
her, crused the officers to arrest the
ravisher about midnight. He was
brought in and placed in the calaboose,
and this morning taken down to the
Bowie county Jail by Constable Har-
gett The Gend, of course, denies his
guilt, but the proof seems positive
against tne wretch.
Mrs. Ward, as stated before, is q
lone and frail widow, but respected
by all who know her. She has three
children TO care for; came here some.
time since, and the ladies of the city
rendered her kindly assistance. Maj.
Allen, hearing Of her case, and hav.
ing vacant house, offered to allow
her the free use Of it, also employed
her to assist his wife about her house
hold duties.
The officers certainly kept very
mum, and the public knew absolutely
nothing of the terrible crime until
about thlrty.six hours after it was
committed, and the fend had been
in jail some time. In all likelihood,
lynching would have taken place,
II facts had leaked out yesterday.
There is some talk of 1t now, but bet
ter counsel will probably prevail.
Mob law is deplorable, and since the
officers have done their duty SO well,
the law should take its course. Let
us now show the world that we can