The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-08-14
ATTEMPTED ASSAULT.
SENSATIONAL AFFAIR in NORTH
rIANkATO.
A Respectable Young Lady lnsuited
and the Young Gentleman Escort
ing sler Assaulted.-The Villain ES-
canes With a Crowd at his heels
and Shots Flying In His Direction.
No Clue to Who lie Is.

The firing of number of shots at
about ten o'clock last night attracted
the attention of some OF our cltlzens,
but few of those not on the scene I'M
agined that they were intended for a
human being. The circumstances
which led up to the firing of those shots
have been an interesting subject Tor
discussion on the streets today, ana
despite the explanations that have
been offered, there is still good deal
of mystery around the case.
1t appears that during the evening
Mr.. Ed McCadden and Miss
Fay were walking together and took
a stroll across the Minnesota river
bridge toward H. ?. ChrlstenSen'S
park. They were quietly sitting
under tree when another young man
accosted Mr.. McCadden with a slur-
ring remark. Mr.. McCadden states
that he attempted TO arise and was
kicked in the stomach by the Strang
er, who took hold of the young lady
When Mr.. McCadden tried to inter-
fere, the stranger put his hand 80 his
hip pocket as though to draw a revol-
yer, and Mr.. McCadden ran across the
bridge for assistance. He procured a
weapon from some one and returned
with the constable of North Mankato,
whom he happened to meet. Several
Others also joined in the party, includ-
ing the parents of the young lady,
who were hastily notified.
When the party had crossed the
bridge, Miss Fay and the stranger
were seen approaching, and the for
mer screamed. The stranger left her,
and keeping her between himself and
the party made his escape. When he
could do so without danger TO the
lady, Mr.. McCadden fired half a dozen
shots at his late assailant, but it is
not known that any took effect, al
though after the fourth shot he gave
a Cry and rolled down an embank-
ment. A comb and case were
found at this place, but no blood, and
the shout is supposed to have been
made for the purpose of deluding his
purSuers.
Miss Fay states that while Mr.. Nc
gladden. was away, the stranger made
improper proposals to her and strug-
gled with her. When she attempted
to scream, he held his hand over her
mouth and prevented her from doing
SO. 10 order to protect herself and
obtain chance TO escape, she had
given him to understand that she
would go with him to certain place
in the city, intending to call for help
as soon as she could, and this she die
as soon as she saw the party coming
toward her She was uninjured, but
badly Frustrated by the fright. She
is nice appearing little girl Of seven
teen years, though looking two years
younger, and is d daughter of the
owner of the original ten cent bus.
She lives with her parents over L. G.
Diamonds feed store, on South Front
street, and is highly respected by all
who know her.
The news of the dastardly attempt
quickly spread and crowd of men
spent several hours searching all over
North Mankato for the villain. He is
thought to have been seen once or
twice. The fellows name is unknown.
He is described as a slender built
young man, medium height, wearing
a gray suit, with no vest. He had a
slight musUache and was unshaven.
Earlier in the evening he accosted
Justice Hall and inquired whether he
knew of any ''joint" in that locality.
A young man named Fred Smith COM
planned toJuStice Hall that the fellow
had struck him in the face. 1t is
thought that the scoundrel had been
drinking. He represented himself to
Miss Fay as an officer on duty. He is
evidently tough, and should see the
inside of cell. 1t might have gone
hard with him if he had been caught
last night.
This forenoon Messrs. Fay and Nc
gladden. drove to St. Peter to search
for the fellow, and to give the officers
there and at Kasota description of
him. Neither one OF them will spare
any pains to find the fellow and bring
him to justice. Miss Fay had charge
of the 10 cent bus today during her
fathers absence.
"A marriage license was issued to-
day by the clerk of the court to Fred
z. Wild, of Window, and Ella M. Ash
worth, of this city.
Her many friends will be pleased
to know that Mrs. w w Paddock is