The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-24
WOMEN IN PILLOW Hips.
Plenty of Switches. Feathers, and Tar for
the Oscc0la Girls.

the OsceoIa Girls.
| OsCEoLA. Ncb.. Oct. 23.-As a sequel to the
| efforts Of the womcn's White Cap band on Sat-
urday night to fog q number OF young women
OF this city for their alleged imm orality eleven
leaders OF Osccola's society were arraigncd in
the District Court to-day on the charge Of
"rioting. assault with intent to do bodily
harm. and ncondary talk. such as threaten
ing to tar and feather six girls" All the pris-
oners are members Of the local Women's
Christian Temperance Union.
The first who was called to plead was Mrs.
Thomas Head the wife Of the President OF the
Polk County Bank. society leader and well.
known church worker. In quick succession
followed tho names OF her companions. Mrs.
Whierhart the two Mesdames j. j. Osborne.
Mrs Edward Everett. Mrs. p. T. Allen. Mrs.
benjamin Osborne. and four others. All
are equally well known In local society as
stanch church member and among the most
charitable ladies OF the city.
The prisoners pleaded not guilty and fur
nished bonds in tho sum of 500 each to up
pear for trial on Nov 20. The women were
accompanied by their husbands. brothers.
fathers, sisters friends. and the entire NOM
bershp OF the local W. c. Il. L. to tho number
OF iltty. Ten lawyers were present to repre-
sent the defence. but each prisoner answered
for herself when pleading. and did not appear
to he ashamed OF the unusual situation In
which her zeal had placed her.
Only one Of the girls who had suffered Mt the
hands Of the White Caps was present. One Of
the others is confined to her bed as n result Of
the rough treatment she received. The other
girls refused to appear in court, as they
dreaded the notoriety 1t would give them.
The victim in court. and who had boon
severely logged. appeared in tho prosecuting
witness box heavily yelled. She appeared to
DO suffering intensely. but her spirit was I'M
daunted. and she bitterly denounced her
assailants. The White Cap ladies' whose heads
had been Graced with pillow cases while
they were protecting society. did not deny
their PARTICIPATION in the affair. and asserted
that it was better for the girls and better for
Osceola that they received chastisement.
Tho girls who were caught IN the trap. with
two exceptions. were regarded as respectable
young women, and their parents are terribly
daughters were not rad, but merely indis-
erect. and guilty Of no wrong.
parents have employed ATTORNEYS. and declare
their intention Of bringing civil suits for dam
ages in addition to prosecuting the W. Q. T. Z.
asa body for the outrageous doings of the
Committee OF Twelve. The entire ". c. Y. u.
here admit their responsibility for tho per-
mated to do the work. They admit that they
discussed the situation, fully, before settling
cases.
From the story drawn oTt Of ,Es prosecuting
witness anu huHllsblOHS Oh inc W mic caps our
inE the preliminary examination IT appears
that they had intended to tar and feather their
anf bsr Of ea tG Eers onnd
scene of the outrage yesterday morning: but
while two OF the girls We're being stripped.
and ran screaming through the streets OF the
city and aroused the whole town. They were
attracted by the noise to tho park compelled
the White Caps to dis!st.
After finishing their work tho committee
formed in rank and marched to their hall
without tho slightest excitement or disorder.
n. tTNs w HGSe1 a we're S mafS
known when the case comes up for final dispo-
in court; She ia attractive. and told her story
in modest way. There were tears In her
most desperately resisted the White Gaps. and
lied through the srssts Of the city after nearly
all her clothing had been tori, of
on Saturday evening, signed with tho name OF
gentleman friend rssIuesstIng that she meet
h% r t Was she rather
she had lived in OsceoIa ali her lie. she saw saw
no ImGropri;Siy IN gIan1hing the Request.
park. where her friend was to meet her. As As
she entered tho park number OF women with
hind trees and seized her. She was terribly
frightened and screamed, Her eapt99rs threw
She was then placed by the side of another
victim lying Ia the grass. While her captors
were waiting tor still another victim. she got
her hands loose. and was unfastenng her feet. |
when two Of the White Caps rushed upon her |
and commenced whipping her with switches;
She saw other women hogging another girl |
close by.
Miss Prague grappled with the women who
were whipping her and pulled their caps from
their heads. one of them she recognized as |
Mrs, Head, the bank President's wife. She |
called her by name. and Mrs. hGald called |
Miss Prague by name in return. During tho |
struggle Mrs. Head threw Miss Prague |
against one Of the other White Caps. and the |
young woman. therefore. caused Mrs. Head |
to measure her length on the ground. Others |
came 70 Mrs. lieald's rescue and Miss Prague
cut stick and ran at top speed for home. |
screaming "MurderW
Miss Prague declared that her body is mass |
Of bruises. When she had finished her testi- |
mony and started from the court room she
tho W. g. T. q. and their friends. Serious |
trouble between the malo memb ers OF the fam |
lilies involved is probable.
Miss Louise Miller was, the girl who was
sorSSmsy Injured by the White Caps She Is
another, OF the Victims has badly cut back |