The Portland daily press., 1894-07-16
And Puzzled by the Extraordinary
Assault.
UPON MISS GRACE BENNETT LAST
SATURDAY NIGHT.

1T May Be a Woman-Ful1 Account of
the Mystery.
The facts in regard to the alleged
criminal assault upon Miss Grace Den
net, OF Old Orchard, as stated in yester-
days papers, are great deal different
from what was first stated, and are as
follows: Mr.. L.. B. bennett, of this city,
the uncle of the young lady, went to Old
Orchard yesterday, and he says that Mrs.
bennett was at Saco, Saturday after
noon, that Miss Grace was left alone
in the house and that at 745 Saturday
evening, neighbor saw her standing
in front of the house.
Mrs. Dennett returned at SOY, twenty
two minutes later. She found the house
locked up, both back door and front
door. Supposing that her daughter had
gone out with some friends. Mrs. Dem
nett sat down upon the veranda and
waited. She sat there till after o'clock,
when she
HEARD A GROANING INSIDE
the front door. At thaG she reused the
neigh bors. They broke into the house
and there was the absent daughter lying
on the floor in the front hall in an un-
conscious condition.
A doctor was sent for, and after she
had regained consciousness, the unfor-
tunate young lady, who is but 16 years
old, related her startling experience.
She said that at few minutes before
s O'Clock somebody rang the bell. She
went to the door and there found
man. He asked, lis your mother in?n
She replied, "No."
Are you alone?"
"Yes, but Pm just going out".
No, you're not", said the man, aud
he came towards the terrified girl
WITH BOTH FISTS OUTSTRETCHED
That is all she remem bers till she
found her mother bending over her.
!. After Miss Grace tainted, the extra
ordinary intruder went into the parlor
and slit the cover of the sofa cushion ap-
parently with sharp knife He threw
lamp shade on the floor and upset all
the chars. He performed similar capers
in other rooms, and then went upstairs
to Miss Grace's room. On small stand
there was casket containing a gold
watch and articles of jewelry. This was
not disturbed, though other things on
the table were knocked off.
HHEN THE FRENZIED CREATURE
turned his attention to the dresses hang
ing in the closet, and slit and gashed
them with the knife. Not one of them
escaped, not even winter petticoat, so
that Miss Grace has no clothing except
the dress she had on at the time.
There is no brnise on sher body, and
the probability isthat shei
SIMPLY TAINTED FROM FRIGHT.
She is unable to give any description
of the man. 1t was quite dark, and she
only knows that he was hort, but
whether he wore beard or was smooth
faced, she could not tell.
Certain it is that she was in no way
assaulted any farther than has been
stated. The whole matter is of course
tICmOAStOu5 Ay ouOlJ3 anu "uO pOOplC VI
Old Orchard are very much excited.
The man locked the doors and took the
key with him or threw it away. He
must have worked very rapidly, for he
couldn't have had over twenty minutes.
Officer Firth went out from Portland,
arriving there about $50 am. Sunday
morning. The facts as related to him
are similar to those related to Mr.. Den
net.
A man named jeremiah Hawkins was
arrested by the Old Orchard officers.
He was drunk, but he declares that he
can prove an alibi, and there is appar-
emily little doubt but that he can.
OF course there are all sorts of rumors
in regard to this remarkable case. 1t
will be remembers that short time
sgo postal card came .to this. Office,
| announcing the death of this samel Miss
Grace bennett.
Assistant Clerk of Courts Libby was
going out to the funeral, and was, of
course. much astonished to meet the
young lady as much alive as ever.
Of course somebody sent the postal on
purpose 80 deceive. and with no friendly
feeling toward Miss Grace. Now this
extraordinary incident happens. 1t
seems as if there must be some connec-
tion between them. Miss Grace
KNOWS OF NO ENEMY
and no reason why there should be any.
There are various theories in regard
to the performance. The actions of the
person Saturday night was surely the
freak of a mailman, or else inspired by
crazy hatred or jealousy. There are good
reasons to suppose that it might not
have been man at all.
WHAT MAN WOULD THREATEN
young girl with both fists extended?
But a woman would be likely to as
sumo that posture What man would
slit sofa cushion, or go straight to Miss
Grace's wardrobe and destroy her dress
es? A man wouldn't be likely to see
revenpe in that way. unless he was