Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-06-27
A Negro,s Eiendisn Assault.

the first brutal assault upon white
lady by vicious negro that has hap
pened within this county, and the Of
fence was committed in broad day.
light and almost within sight of our
courthouse and Jail. About a mile
and a-half from Berryyille is Dun
heath. 200-acre farm belonging to
Mrs. E. S. Kownslar, of this town.
The farm is tenanted by Mr.. c. E.
Nails, an industrious farmer, whose
household consists Of his wife, three
grown daughters and one son.
Last Saturday evening, between 6
and 7 o'clock, Miss Maggie, one Of
the daughters, aged about 20 years,
came from the barn to the house with
the milk, and setting the bucket down
requested her sister to put It's con-
tents away while she carried to hog
a bucket of slop. Proceeding to the
barn, about 125 yards from the house,
she called the hog, but the animal
failing to come, she proceeded to drive
it up. The pasture field was east of
and adjoining the barnyard. About
$50 yards from the barn, in a south
easterly direction, stands an immense
pile of loose rock in the pasture field.
We understand the young lady
states that as she was~passing this
rock pile she was attacked by a negro,
who struck her several times; that
one of the blows brought her to her
knees, when she was grabbed by her
assailant; that in the contest that
followed her clothing was torn, when
she succeeded in breaking away from
him and ran screaming toward the
barn. Her screams were heard at the
house, when her father was summoned,
and upon reaching the barnyard he
found Miss Maggie lying by the fence
in an unconscious condition. She was
picked up and carried to the house.
DR.. C. Mccormick, who was sum-
moned to her assistance, reports that
her shoulder was badly bruised, and
that her head bore evidences Of having
been struck several times with a club
or some blunt substance. While her
assailant failed in the accomplish
ment of his purpose, the horror of her
situation and the brave struggle she
made brought on severe nervous pros
tration, which lasted until Monday,
when she became more composed.
Henry Robinson, colored, who made
his appearance upon the premises be-
fore the affair happened, and who
while there asked for lineup to get
a drink of water, has been arrested
upon suspicion that he was her assail-
ant, and is now lodged in jail MIR.
H. W. Shepherd, who was engaged IN
harvesting field of wheat on this
farm, had sent Robinson to the barn
to get an instrument needed about his
binder, but public opinion seems to
be divided as to whether or not Robin
son is guilty. He is copper colored
negro, about 5! feet high, and is said
to be a married man. Until he can
be confronted by Miss Nails, who Is
the only party able to identify her
assailant, his innocence or guilt cannot
be ascertained. Justice Hardesty has
appointed next Friday as the day for
giving the supposed criminal a hearing
The horrible affair produced great
deal of excitement among our people,
and it was fortunate that an air OF
mystery, owing to the young lady S
narvons condition. lowered over the
situation, as something rash might
have been attempted. The people
have had time to cool, and it is be-
lieved they are disposed to let the law
take its course.
But it is said the race to which
Robinson belongs is acting very I'M
prudently by appearing at night IN
the vicinity of the jail, armed to pro-
tect the accused. If these reports
are true, the prisoners danger will be
aggravated, as the whites will become
exasperated by such unlawful assem-
blages, and may be goaded into taking
the law into their own hands. The
sheriff, if made aware of such assem-
blages, will no doubt have the parties
arrested.-BeryriUe Courier.
Funeral of Maior Hagan.