Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-08-14
FROM THE WEST END.
IN OUR CHURCHES.
Sunday School Pic-nics
and Private SOcialS.
WAR, WAR | AT FIETH
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The People Great Excited
Over a Reported Assault
of White Man on a
Co1Ored Girl.
SHE SAYS IT Is TRUE.
Rev. Powell breaches Great Sermon
on the Evils Of To-day.

In the Richmond, Va, Times, Friday
July 80. 1897, the following item APP
peared in the Pclice Court report:
"Gertrude johnson, colored, charged
Mr.. O. N. Goodwin with assaulting
her. but Mr.. Goodwin's word was bet
ter than the woman'e and the case was
dismissed"
The colored people having learned Of
the assault, there was much excite
ment among them and then seeing Of
the mild disposition of the case in the
Police Court, which only served to in
tensify their feeling and In order to
get at the real facts in the case We
learned that the girl in question lived
at 1905 Beverly Street, near Helly-
wood Cemetary where we called to get
a statement. She being out was sent
for. and in a few moments she came in
We informed her Of our purpose. She
said, "my name is Gertrude Johnson.
I am the girl that charged Mr.. Good
win in the Police Court with assault
ing me and everyword 10 true. lived
in service with his family about two
weeks. He came to my room door
about 2 80 in the night, and knocked
and asked me to open the door re-
fused after asking what he wanted.
still refused. He then came to the
window and raised 1t and asked me
didn't I want to make 60f. told
him no, and TO 60 away or woul call
his wife. He still insisted, and / fur
tner threaten him what would do.
He told me that no girl could stay on
his place unless they do what he want
ed her 10 do. told him could not,
and would leave. before would con-
sent to do such. / got up and pre-
pared to leave and did so as early as
possible. Late In the afternoon ] re-
turned for my money, he having
agreed to give me So month. He re
fused to pay me and ordered me of the
pla,e, and because / refused until
was paid he struck me in the breast
and then attempted to choke me. Look
here at my peck" A scar about two
inches long, an inch and half wide
could be plainly seen on the right side
of the girls neck. Il told JustiC
Crutchfield all the above" What did
he do? He. told me to go on out there
(meRRing the cOurt-room.)
The girl said she was in the 18th
wear of age, had no n other nor father
and attended Sunday School whenever
she could at the End Baptist Church
She was looked after by a colored lady
who was then sick in bed, that she haC
ALWAYS tried to live honorable and de
right. The girl has an honest, frank
Omen look, very clever face. dark com
nIexion, rather tidy, but plain. Ha
fnstice been done herr Will the eas'
he allowed to rest where it Is HAC
This been q white girl and . coloreC
man we need not ask what would havt
heen the consequences. ALI we ask j
that Justice be melted out to all law
breakers alike.
REV. II. POWELL PRBAcHRs on THE Evil
OF THE HOUR,
last Sunday at the Fifth Baptis
church at IL 80, the pastor preache
frorn Jeremiah 81 :l6. He called tn
attention of the people to the many az
sanlts and various crimes that ar
Committed among the people and ho'
clicked and corrupted many seem
ha- he YVES very severe on parent
for their failure TO do their whele dU
~ To their children, and that Go
wonlA not hold them guiltless. Tn
Reverend warmed up to his text a. b
Oiotnred cut the vIllainous hearts &
those who assaulted defenceless VIC
man He counciled his people to uI
Mold the laws of both church aud state
;rhe divine condemned lAwlessness j
ali it's forms in the most saturating an
hnrninQ words possible. Tho entir
Sisconrse seemed to be q spontaneou
ontburst of pure eloQuencs that emf
mated from q heart shat burned for til
neeee 81 Zion, the safety and comfoF