The herald., 1896-11-17
Terrible Crime OF a Depraved
Wretch Last Sunday
ASSAULTS A LITTLE GIRL
Captured Yesterday Morning and Safely
Lodged in Jail
Suicide by Hanging Himself to the
Bars of His Cell

ven soul filled with the fear of the retri-
button that is certain to be meted out
to him, is a travesty on manhood, a de-
baucher of the innocent and unpro-
tected, Jack Lee by name. By no word
of mouth has he yet confessed the awful
crime of which he is accused, yet stands
self-convicted, having shown that he
possesses at least a spark of moral ap-
probation of his revolving abasement by
making an attempt to end his miserable
existence, which was unfortunately un-
successful
The prisoner was arrested at 2:30 yes
terday morning by officer Hubbard and
Detective Steele and lodged in Jail few
minutes after. Hardly twenty minutes
later he was found in an unconscious
condition on the floor of his cell, having
made an attempt to hang himself to
the bars of the cage by using a muffler
which he wore around his neck Lee was
arrested charged with committing an
assault upon little 13-year- old Florence
Foy, daughter of S. C. Foy, one of the
oldest and best known residents of this
city The fact of his attempt upon his
life was published yesterday morning
in these columns, although his name and
the nature of the offense for which he
was incarcerated were unknown.
Lee is single man about 80 years of
age, and has been employed as fioorman
at the Panorama stables on Main street,
between Third and Fourth. Mr.. Foy
has large family of daughters, sew
eral of whom have occasionally hired
saddle animals from the stables where
Lee worked for an afternoon ride. Lee
has usually brought the animals to the
house and taken them back to the barn
after using. In this manner he became
quite we'll known to the members of the
household. On Sunday afternoon he ap-
peared at the residence at Seventh and
Pearl streets riding one horse and lead
ing another fully saddled and bridled.
To the young ladies Lee said that he
had accidentally learned that the ami
NAL he was leading was for sale, and
as he considered the price asked cheap
he had brought it around to see whether
or not he could find purchaser for it.
Little Flossie was delighted with the
horse and was asked by Lee to take a
ride with him and see how we'll the ami
NAL was adapted for the saddle. To this
no objection was made, and they rode
gaily away. Lee led the way out among
the hills of Ilysian park and there, far
from the fear of interference, he ac-
complished his hellish purpose. The
frightened child was threatened with
the most terrible tortures if she ever re-
vealed what had happened and was told
that if she did tell and Lee should go to
jail, after he got out he would cut her
bowels out By dint of coaxing and
threatening he quieted his victim and
took her home.
The child went to her room and soon
commenced to weep, and when asked
for the reason said she dared not tell,
for if she did Lee would kill her. Final
ly the terrible tale was ELECTED bit by bit.
A physician was called and confirmed
the child's tale of assault. The brother
fastened to police headquarters and
laid the story before the chief, with the
result that detectives were at once de-
tailed to bring in the scoundrel at all
hazards. Officers were sent to the rail-
road depots to intercept Lee should he
attempt to escape, while others fastened
away to find his room, where he might
possibly turn up, not knowing that his
crime had been discovered.
Officer Hubbard first went to the Pan
Drama stables, where Lee worked, and
got good description of him, but was
unable to locate his room He did
find out, however, that the horses Lee
had used had been hired elsewhere, and
had not been taken from where he was
employed. was nearly o'clock at
night when Lees room was located in
lodging house on Main street. between
Second and Third. Ascertaining from
the landlord that Lee was not in, the
room was entered and a thorough search
made, but resulted in finding nothing.
Lee had not been at home since morning.
Replacing everything as they had found
1t, the officers went outside and waited
until IL, again satisfied themselves that
their man had not been about, and once
more waited patiently till a. m.
Lnfl, ,A11 nd Il aaf1
ed to go into Lees room and watch. This
was accordingly done. 1t was not twen-
ty minutes afterward before steps were
heard on the stair, and key was placed
in the lock. The apartment was in utter
darkness, but as Lee threw the door open
and stepped in, he was grabbed from
either side, and in an instant handcuffed
A light was produced, and it was found
that the right man had been secured.
Pale, trembling and apprehensive, he
stood, the cold perspiration pouring from
his brow, needing not to be told why he
had been arrested.
AS they left the room for the station,
Lee begged the officers to get him a bot
tie of medicine, which was in a coat pock-
ct in a closet, saying he wanted it as
gargle for his throat; also box of qui-
nine pills, which he was taking for a cold.
The capsules and bottle were taken along
by officer Hubbard, who refused to al
of the drugs had been ascertained. Off
to Jail the trembling wretch was
dragged, searched and locked up.
1t was hardly fifteen minutes after be-
ing placed in cell that Jailer Robbins
and Officer Hubbard took look at the
prisoner finding him lying partially un-
conscious on the floor. He had taken a
neck scarf. torn it in half, tied the ends
together, making a moose, and had en-
deavored to strangle himself to death
by hanging from the bars of the door.
The scarf proved too weak, gave way,
and he dropped to the floor before the
job was halfdone.
From his appearance it was surinised
that he had taken q, dose of laudanum,
but this proved to be erroneous. The
bottle which he had asked Hubbard to
give him was found to contain that drug,
instead of O gargle, but Lee had had no
to get hold of any of it. His
weakness and general appearance of
sinking was caused by fear and the bad
choking he had undergone. After as
certaining that there was no fear of his
death, he was once more placed in cell,
where he dropped on the canvas ham,
mock, buried his face, and thus laid all
day long, refusing to eat or speak.
The aged and grief-stricken father
appeared before District Attorney Nc
Comas in the forenoon and swore to a
complaint, alleging the crime as stated.
This was filed in Justice Owens depart
ment of the police court and warrant
issued, which was read to the prisoner in
his cell. He was apathetic, seeming not
to notice the presence of the officers and
to be oblivious to his SURROUNDINGS, Just
when he will be arraigned in court -