Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-23
A LONG, FRU|TLESS CHASE.
Four Determined Men Follow a
WouId-Be Rape Fiend.
UNTIL NIGHT HALTED THEM
A Little Five-Year-0ld Child Narrowly Misses
Horrible Experience With a Beast
ial Negro-Hunt Still On.

Little Matte, the 5-year-old daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. j. E. Finney of Fowler
station, East Lake electric car line, mar
rowly missed horrible treatment at the
hands Of a young negro brute yesterday
morning.
The little child, with other children,
was playing in the back yard of the fam
lily residence, and the negro, going into
the alley, attempted to entice Matte
away from the other children. Mrs. Fin
ney, happening to go into the yard, and
seeing the brute just beyond the fence,
asked him his business. The little girl
forthwith told her mother of the negro's
effort to get her out of. the yard, and Mrs.
Finney ordered him to leave. He went
off little way, but when Mrs. Finney en-
tered the house, returned and induced
the little girl to allow him. to lift her over
the fence. Once in his power she would
have soon been debauched but, provi-
dentially, Mrs. Abner, neighbor, saw
the negro in his attempt to assault the
child and gave an alarm Neighbors
rushed out but the negro made off, going
in the direction of Woodlawn.
A general alarm was given and neigh
bors gathered at the residence to ascer-
tain what was the cause of it. In the
meantime the sheriffs office was tele-
be sent at once. Mr.. Bob Waldrop was
the only one present and he went imme-
diately to Fies' stable and, securing a
horse, rode rapidly to Mr.. Finneys house.
Ha was followed in a few minutes by Mr.
Robert Warnock, also mounted. Ascer-
tanning the cause of the CALL they tele-
phoned to the sheriff's office for the dogs
to be sent out on an electric car.
In the meantime, two posses were
formed and the neighborhood secured for
the scoundrel. Securing the dogs, the
two deputies struck the negro's trial and
were off like flash.
When just beyond Woodlawn one of
the dogs gave out and the other had a fit
This caused delay. AS soon as possible
with the hound Katie, the deputies were
again on the go. The negro was first
heard of at Irondale, where he snapped
cap he was wearing for an old SLOUGH
hat. He made the trade with white
boy and then started up the Alabama
Great Southern track
A Mr.. Bass of Irondale, learning by
telephone the attempted crime of the ne
gro, and hearing of his passing through
1rondale, mounted a horse, and, heavily
armed, started after him.
Others armed themselves and went up
the Alabama Great Southern railroad on
foot, hoping to catch sight of the badly
wanted man.
Mr.. Bass was Joined four miles above
two striking a hot trail, they having
learned that the negro had been seen on
the Trussville road in a run. made after
their game, but fear of a just punishment
In the event of capture lent speed to the
scoundrel's legs. and he simply outran
them
Messrs. Warnock and Waldrop, With
the dog, tracked the negro three miles
along the railroad, when suddenly the
dog turned and went across field to a
spring. UP to this time the negro had
been wearing his shoes, but here he took
them off. The trail led to the Trussville
road and the determined deputies were
soon riding fast behind Messrs. Bass and
Williams.
With one and a half hours start of him
a State Herald reporter armed himself
and on a speedy horse was soon on the
trail of the four men and the fleeing
negro. After leaving Irondale the repor-
ter began to gain on the deputies and
along the route learned of the negro's
having made two stops. one for water
and another to beg bread. AT the latter
place he was told to assist In unloading a
wagon OF potatoes and he would be given
bread and meat but he had no time for
work-his life was in jeopardy and away
he sped.
The reporter, being Joined by Mr.
Payne, passed through Trussville a little
after o'clock, and at Cahaba river met
the two deputies with the dog. They had
lost the trail. Returning about 200 yards
this side of the bridge, a Mr.. Bass showed
the men the negroes footprints, where he
had turned from the macadamized road
into the woods to the north. The dog
struck the trail and the two deputies, Mr..
Payne and reporter, riding hard behind
him, soon came to the Birmingham Min
eral railroad. Down the track the dog
ran for about one-quarter of mile, when
he struck road bearing off to the left.
Ia~A t1rn dor 10 e.
and baying at every jump, made for the
Trussville furnace. The dog was right.
The negro had only short time before
begged a drink of water from a little
white girl. and, after getting 1t. made off
up the railroad again. For three miles
the dog kept the railroad, the scent be-
coming fresher and fresher. Passing
country villa the dog left the railroad
and made for the top of an immense
mountain. 1t was growing dark and
Messrs. Warnock and Payne followed the
dog while Mr. Waldrop and the reporter
made detour, hoping that the negro
would leave the mountain and seek safe
ty further north. For an hour the search
was kept up. In the meantime Messrs.
Warnock and Payne made toward the
northwest, thus passing out of the hear
ing Of their comrades.
made toward some houses along the Min
eral, and, leaving warnings wherever
they found people. sought for the others
and the dog. 1t was dark and impossible
to hear anything of them, and, their
horses being tagged, they returned to-
ward Trussville. Here they waited hop
ing to hear from their comrades. At
o'clock Rev. Samuel Raglan rode into
Trussvile. and seeing the reporter, in
formed him that Mr.. Warnock and his
comrade were seen going north about
three miles north toward Clay. The two
men. tired and worn out, returned to the