The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-07
4 COLORED FIBND
Attempted Murder Of a Farmers
wife Near Stanton.
MRS. lsvN L sA.! III! vt'll,
An Armed Posse OF Enraged citi-
zens Scour the Country in
Search of the Colored
Farm Hand.

An armed posse Of enraged citizens
secured the country around Stanton Yes.
terday in search of Frank Thomas, co..
ored, who mnrdeiously assaulted Mrs.
Irwin L.. Ball on Tuesday evening at her
home in the absence Of her husband.
On Tuesday evening Mr.. Ball informed
Thomas. who had been employed on the
farm for about three weeks that he was
going to James Shakespeares to attend a
meeting of the Diamond State Protective
Association and would not return for
few hours.
! Z About 8. 10 o'clock Mrs. Ball who was
sewing was surprised to see the colored
man enter the sitting room. She thought
| that he went after a needle but instead he
! picked up pincushipn and asked what Ii
| was.
Mrs Ball became somewhat scared and
struck Thomas on the head with the lap
board. With the agility of a cat no sprang
forward and grabbing her by the neok
forced her to the floor. Mrs Ball, being
determined woman of fair strength, re-
sisted the flend.
HOl luly nhil muir tHcI bgluSSlou
on the floor when the colored man fearing
that the woman's husband was returning
home ms d wagon passed along the road %
the time, got up aud cody walked out the
door. gSsH 4
Although almost exhausted from the
abuse Mrs Bali got up, locked the door,
ran up stairs and raising the bedroom
window cried for help.
James Brown, who was talking to his
tenant at his house, about 800 yards down
the road, heard the cries for help and ran
to Mrs. Balls assistance.
Upon the door being opened the men
were Mortified to see the condition of the
woman, Her clothing was torn and h r
face covered with blood caused by her
nose bleeding by the lend choking her.
Mr.. Brown, Immediately dispatched his
men for friends to take charge Of Mrs.
Ball until tho arrival of DIR. Ball, e
Falkland and her husband both of when
were summoned by neighbors.
Upon the arrival Of the physician fe
found Mrs. Balls condition to be seriors
rs the brutal treatment and the shock had
completely Frustrated her. All day yes
terday no one but the nurse, was allowed
In her bed room, but to-day when RE-
PUBLICAN reporter called at the house he
was informed that her condition was
greatly improved and that, although her
system was dreadfully shocked, the doc
tor has the best hopes Of her recovery in q
few days.
Mr.. Ball stated that at no time during
the tussle with the tiend and would-be
were her hands held by him. In
W here he choked her, there are several
marks of violence on the head, face and
body.
If had como home at the time, knew
What had happened and mot Thomas he
would been given reception by me with
IN axe or q corn knife. l have offered $50
eward for the arrest of the fiend and hope
10 will b3 arrested.
He meant murder and then robbery and
( the party that searched the surrounding
ountry yesterday had come up with him
le would never trouble New Castle Jail for
10 would dangle from the nearest tree or
elegraph polo. He cut a hickory club In
he woods that day and said he was going
0 use it on dog,
He had murder in his heart then, as he
new would be away from home, but
low firmly believe he intended the club
or me-"
When the reporter visited Stanton lie
ound the people greatly agitated, and
rom all parts came the cry 'If lie Ia
ound. lynch him. He is not fit to live, n
nd we will help to string him up in old
style"
Frank Thomas, who committed tho
eed Is about 10 years of age and has
'ife and child living at Midtown, q short
istance from the Ball homestead He is
bout feet inches in height, weighs l56
ounds walks with a lock step, has close
at hair showing two inch mark on the
ft side of the head.
He wore brown jacket of overall ma.
rial under an old black overcoat, SLOUGH
ut and dark pants. The lining of tho
Icket is drab, with red stripe. He
,rved year in New Castle jail for lar.
my Of meat from a Christiana butcher
I'D when he was going to jail asked 10
At off at Farnhurst, and that he would
turn to Cristield, Md, his former home.
Mr. Ball is Of the opinion that the would
! ravisher has gone to that place and he,
As notified the state detectives and tho
Jlice of the different cities Of the crime
lie description Of the man and of tho re-.
a I'd Of $40 for tho arrest