The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1897-08-27
The Mcclure Case.

letter from hiteville, which ex
plains itself:
EDITOR BULLETIN-The follow
ing are the particulars in the Nc
CURE rape case, as far as can
learn: About two weeks ago DIR.
John Mcclure, of Whiteville, was
at Fayette Corner doing some den
tai work in that neighborhood and
was boarding with Mr.. J. A. Crow.
der of that place. At the same
time two girls by the name of Car
penter, nieces of Mrs. Crowder,
were there on visit. The young
est, Matte, is said to be about ten
years of age, and the other not
grown. Matte is the one said to
have been assaulted on the 18th
inst. At this time Mr. Crowder
and his wife were at Brownsville
attending a soldiers reunion. Mr..
Crowder's son and two grown daugh-
tiers and the little Carpenter girls
and DR.. Mcclure were at the home,
and Mcclure and the Carpenter
girls remained there several days
later, and nothing was heard of any
trouble until the little Carpenter
girls returned to Memphis, when
Matte reported to the family that
a rape had been committed upon
her by DR.. Mcclure on the 18th
inst, while at Mr.. Crowder's. Upon
this information, the father imme-
diately came out to Fayette Coun-
ty, bringing the little girl with
him, and swore out 4 warrant for
the arrest of Mcclure, which was
placed in the hands of Officer Avis
Johnson, of Fayette Corner. He
soon learned that DR.. Mcclure was
at the Hospital. Taking a young
Mr.. Hunter with him they proceed
ed to the Hospital last Friday night
where they found the Doctor en-
gagged in the dance, this being the
regular night for the ball at the
Hospital. lie seemed to 'be greatly
surprised when he was called out
aud told by the boys that they had
warrant for his arrest. He told
them that they were playing joke
on him until they read the warrant.
He denied the charge, but readily
submitted to the arrest. On hi:
way to Fayette Corner he was
brought through Whiteville, hill
headquarters. After his arrest ht
drank some and became intoxicated
They remained here until O'Clock
Saturday morning, and he showed
no disposition to get away from thu
officers. When he reached Fayett'
Corner, he was arraigned before
Esquire Coffey and plead not gull
ty. The little girl was placed upol
the witness stand and stated that oil
tie 18th inst, Mcclure asked he
to go with him to the barn to Sc,
his horse, which she did, and OIL
their return to the house she wen
with him to his room, he took he
upon his lap and in this position
made the assault. She also saiC
she screamed, and that he threaten
ed to kill her if she told it. Mr.
Crowder's daughters were bot
about the house, but none of tn
family heard anything of it. Nc
Guire made no defense, he wa
probably too much under the in
fuence of whiskey. The justic
bound him over to court withou
bail, l suppose, because the charg
was rape. Mr.. Carpenter had tn
girl examined and said she shove
no signs of violence. From SOM
cause there was but little excite
ment over the matter at Fayett
Corner. Your correspondent hear
no talk of lynching. Mcclure wa
turned over to two young mer
Will Johnson and Jack Hunter, t
carry him to Jail. Neither of thel
were regular officers. They cam
by Whiteville and Mcclure was a
lowed to 60 around town and sett
z up his business. They left Whit
: Vile about 6 o'clock in the afte
, noon for Somerville, going by Ne
e Castle, where Mcclure requested
be taken in order that he migl