Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-05
EVANSVILLE.

Waverly Sharp, young white man, who
recently came to this county from North
Carolina, attempted to commit a criminal
assault last Monday evening on Emma
Hart, the fourteen-year-old daughter of
Frank Hart, who resides near Branchville.
Sharp was employed on Harris place, and
occupied a room on the upper story Of his
house. About 3 o'clock Monday morning,
during the absence Of Mr.. and Mrs. Hart,
who had gone to market at Washington.
Sharp made an attempt, but was frightened
away by the approach Of a sister Of Emma
Hart, who was awakened by the latter's
screams. Sharp. while working in the field
that day with Briscoe Higgs, confessed to
him what he had tried to do. When her
parents returned from market, Emma told
her mother what had happened during their
absence. and the latter related the affair to
her husband. Hart Immediately repaired to
the Office Of Justice Carr. at Hyattsville.
and swore out q warrant for Sharp. The
man was shortly afterward arrested by
Bailifr Barr. At o'clock yesterday morn
ing he was tried by Justice Carr before a
large crowd. and committed to jail at Marl-
boro' to await the action of the grand jury.
The people Of Branchville were much in
censed over the affair. and 1t was feared at
one time that Sharp would be lynched.
The litigation over the old George WASH
ington house In Bladensburg has taken a
very interesting turn. The four heirs Of the
affidavit before DR.. J.W. Rogers Of Bladens-
burg that they are the rightful owners Of
the property. 1t appears that the property
originally belonged to Mrs. Susan Norris,
who also owned a farm of sixty acres near
Marlboro. She died at the Little Sisters Of
the Poor in Washington, and left no i'm
mediate relatives. but her cousins, John
Heard and his sister. Mrs. Mary Anne How
n Ed hnF nlot txrar tvnhn tod
her property. 1t is alleged by Dr. Rogers in
the bill that he has filed before the circuit
court at Marlboro that the late Judson F.
Richardson approached John Heard and
Mrs. Howard after the death of Mrs. Norris
with a paper which he asked them to sign
in order to relieve certain Indebtedness on
the George Washington House. Having per-
feet confidence in Richardson's integrity,
and thinking that the paper was a mort
gage. the bill alleges they signed it without
reading the contents, and afterward learned
that IL was deed of trust for both the
George Washington House and the farm
near Marlboro. The four heirs of the late
John Heard and his sister, Mrs. Mary Anne
Howard, are now suing for the property,
which Geo. w. Richardson, nephew Of the
late Judson F, Richardson, claims was left
him in a will made by his uncle a number of
years ago. The case will be tried at the
October term of the circuit court at Marl-
boro'.
The democratic county convention met for
the purpose of selecting four delegates in
the congressional convention which will be
held at Gainesville today at the court
house in Upper Marlboro at noon yester-
day, and vas very harmonious. Fillmore
Beali Of the state central committee for
Prince Georges county called the conven-
ton to order. r. Ford Combs of Bladens-
burg district was elected chairman, and A.
I. Brooke of Laurel secretary. There being
no contesting delegation, the committee on
credentials was dispensed with On motion
Of Mr.. B. d. Stephen Of Bladensburg dis
trict, Mr.. VIM. b. Clagett of Marlboro was
declared the choice Of the convention as a
candidate for the long term for Congress,
Catonsville. Mr.. Clagett named the follow
Ing delegates: d. T. Sheriff of Kent district
Jerre Berry Of Queen Anne A. T. Brooke of
Laurel, X. e. Brandt of Piscataway. AL
ternates: r. b. Berry. Chas. s. Early, p, A.
Scaggs and T. B. Middleton After the con-
xention adjourned Mr.. Clasett made a ring
ing speech.