Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1894-02-16
SEDUCTION CASE.
F. n. Cotton Arrested for the
Seduction of Mary Dunbar,
al6-Year-Old Girl.
The Accused Valves Exam.
inatiOn and Is Held in $500
Bonds to the Next Term
of District Court.

of District Court.
Last Monday evening a warrant was
sworn out against Fred. H. Cotton, who
lives near Williamsport for the alleged
seduction of Mary Dunbar, a 16-year old
girl residing near Hampton postoffice,
this county. Tuesday morning Deputy
Sheriff Baxter arrested Gotten. Tuesday
forenoon the prisoner, accompanied by
his father, appeared at the county builds
ing. and, after consultation by them
with Attorney Armstrong in the back
room, the lawyer proceeded to draw up an
affidavit asking for a change of venue.
Justice Edick called court, the affidavit
was submitted, the change granted, the
necessary papers made out, and the ac-
cused committed to the custody of Deputy
Baxter. AS the justice was making out
the docket Mr.. Armstrong requested that
his name should not appear as attorney,
as his services were only secured for the
appearance before Justice Edick.
The change of venue having been made
out to Justice Flick, the parties interested
left during the afternoon for the residence
of that official, some twenty-seven miles
distant. As the case had created much
interest and feeling throughout the county
the Record scribe went along, so that he
might give full report.
1t was about the hour of noon on
Wednesday when Justice Flick took bis
seat and called the case of the State of
NORTH Dakota vs.. F. H. Cotton. The
complaint was read and the defendant
pleaded mot guilty" to the charge. Mary
Dunbar, the victim, was called to the
witness chair, and the direct examination
by States Attorney Lynn began. The
young and unfortunate girl showed by
her manner keen appreciation of the
position in which she had been placed by
trusting to the false vows of william,
and some Of her replies to the questions
of the attorneys were scarcely audible at
a distance of few feet. Although her
face was pale and her features were
.pinched and drawn by the look.ot agony
thereon, her large eyes wearing the ex-
preston of those of hunted fawn, ii
was seen that she had been endowed by
nature with more than ordinary beauty.
1t had been supposed by many that the
whole volume of details of the villainous
conspiracy would be brought out but, as
the prosecution had nothing to do with
anything that happened subsequent TO
the date of the alleged seduction, and was
only interested in proving the allegations
contained in the complaint, Mr.. Lynn
questioned the witness only as to the
facts Immediately connected with the Be-
duction. On direct examination the wit
ness testified as follows, not in continu-
Gus narrative, but in a series of answers
given to questions by counsel:
My name is Mary Dunbar was sixteen
years old on the 4th Of last August; have
beea acquainted with Fred Cotton about
Mrs. Cotton on the 25th of July; went
home about Thanksgiving. On the 9th
of August Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Cotton
went on visit to Mr.. and Mrs. Brock !;
was at the house with Fred during the
afternoon Fred made improper proposals
to me, but would not consent; in the
evening Israel and Maud Robinson came
and Mr.. and Mrs. Cotton returned after
Israel land Maud went away went up.
stairs to mytroom soon after, Fred went
up stairs to shis room sat down on a
chair, and in little while Fred came
into my ROOM; The put his hands on my
shoulders; l. told him to leave the room
that he had no business in my room he
said he had business in my room; he
caught me up'in, his arms and threw me
on the beds Iknew what he wanted to
do by the way he .aesed he told me that
everybody was doing the same; he said.
If you will let me sao what want to
said he wanted to-; 4 loved Fred it
would not have happeaed if he had not
promised to marry me-; ] knew he was an
unmarried man. This took place on the
18th of August, at Mr.. and Mrs. J. A. Cot
ton 9. ID sEmmons county, lin the state of
North Dakota.
CROSS. EXAMINATION.
The witness was then given over to At
torney John Parker to be .aross-exam-
ined.
Question. What is your name3 Answer.
Mary Dunbar.
O. What is your age? A. 1 was SIX
teen on August 4th, 1898.
@. Who employed your ALA. Cot
ton 81 Son.
@. You knew Fred Cotton was,a single
man2 A. Yes.
@. You knew Mrs. Cotton was :cIippled
and hadto have some one to do'herworkf ?
A. Yes.
q. Fred Cotton did not employ you?
A. No.
Q. Had you been keeping company
with Fred Cotton? A. ! went to one
dance with Fred and Mrs. Cotton-at
Williamsport. went to q dance at Dam
bury with Fred Cotton about q year be-
fore; no one else was with us went
from my home, over by the river. y
q. Had you ever kept company with
others prior to the 9th Of August, 1888?
A. No.
@. Did you not keep company with
young Mr.. Ryder? A. No.
@. Did you not 60 to q dance with Mr..
Ryder? 4. went with Miss Black and
Mr. Ryder to q dance at Mr.. Shier's.
@. Who took you from your home to
Mr.. Cotton's when you went to work
there? A. Robert McTavish, who works
for Mr. Cotton.
@. Did you have illicit intercourse with
Robert McTavish on the way up9
/ A. th;o r,oipt tha situa afion was dramatic