The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-09-17
ON A PLEA OF GUILTY
VI Attempted Assault Abe Finley
Was Given twenty-five Years.
His VICTIM WAS FORCED TO TESTIFY
Being Deaf and Dumb, She Was Com
PEELED to T,h the Story OF Her Des-
perate Struggle in Pantomime.

brennan, Texas, September 16-The
tnird week OF the district court. fall scs
SION opened Monday morning and the Grim
maj docket was taken up.
Fred Hayes, charged with burglary. was
the FIRST case called and he entered n
plea of guilty, and was given two years
In the penitentiary.
Mias Chappel on a charge of theft Of
horse entered a plea Of guilty, and was
given two-year sentence to the pen n
tiary.
Abe Finley. charged with assault TO rape,
was next called and he entered plea OF
guilty. The victim of his assault was
Ioilsh girl from near Chappell Hill, Miss
Francisco Slkorska, who is deaf and
dumb. The assault was made while she
was In the field at work last spring during
the absence OF her brother who had gone
to the house, and her assallant was inter-
rupted by his accidental return. The un-
fortunate victim was unable to give the
alarm by screams, but she fought her as
saiant with such desperation that his pur-
pose was thwarted until the negro was run
on by her brother. A, feature of the case
was her testimony before the Inry. She
has not always been thus afflicted and
since she has been deaf and dumb she has
mad no opportunity to acquire the Ian
guage of the deaf ana dumb. but among
her own family she finds no difficulty in
making herself understood. Her bro htr
was BY her side to interpret her gestures to
the jury. If they failed to understand, bu
II was all too plain, and strong men turnt d
from the scene as she graphically and dra-
mnticnlly went through all the struggles
that were made on that occasion. 10 save
her life and her honor. 1t was a pantp-
mine performance, pltlful, and pathetic, that
carried conviction to the mind Of every
one who saw her EVIDENCE thus transmit
ted to the jury, and they were out only
short time before returning n verdict Il
guilty and placing the punishment ut
twenty hve years in the penteltiary Alany
said It was too short n term, but cons der
Ing the age of the negro and the AVERAGE
life of convict, he will he useless to the
pleted.
cut Mr. Fritz Meyer. was next on call,
but It was passed until morning, to give
him time to decide whether he will enter
plea of guilty or employ esSaS-5el TO de
VIII wardell, on charge of theft en-.
tered plea Of guilty and was given two
years in the penitendary.
VIII Long, charged with murder. had his
case continued for the term,
VIII Dawson. charged with burglary, was
given two years ON n plea of guilty.
Memorial Service Committee
mlttee on arrangements Tor the m mortal
services in honor Of President Mckinley
met ut the office of Searcy & Garrett this
morning The committee decided that tho
services should he held at the Firemen's
park. The procession win form at the Ex-
change hotel at 10 o'clock on Thursday
morning and will move promptly at 1870
o'clock. in order that the services may
hpfrfn ptIt. Mt n mir ~ 10
In charge of the various churches in the
city are invited to attend and take part
In the services. The school children VIII
participate and will he under the direction
of Superintendent Tarrant The United
Confederate Veterans. Grand Army of the
Republic. Brennan fire department mil
tary companies, Second infantry band, |
civic societies, mayor and city council and
the citizens in general are expected 10
take part and join In the procession. The
Mendelssohn society and the Noerwarts are
requested TO furnish music for the occn-
sion. II Is requested that all business lie
suspended from II to II o'clock.
The following ladies have been appointed
n decoration committee: Mrs. L. j. Lock
cit, chairman MesdRmes Tom Dryer, VII
liam Dwyer, f. W. Schuerenberg, r. A.
Schuerenberg A. d. Chlldress, r. T. Pen
Farmer j. d. York, j. S, Giddiags and
Misses Edna Ross and Annette Ray.
This committee. together with the Men
dcssohn society members of the Voerwarts
society. ministers of the churches and su-
perlntendent of the public schools, are re-
quested to meet with the committee on
arrangements at Lusk's hall at 10 o'clock
Tuesday morning to complete the arrange
ments for the memorial service.
During the memorial services the follow
ing gentlemen are expected to MAKE snort
addresses Colonel ID. C. Giddngs Jr.,
Hon. Harry Haynes. Judge Ed X. Sinks
and w. b. Garrett, Esq.
Mr.. +. w. Schuerenberg has been APP
pointed grand marshal for the occasion and
has chosen as his assistants Messra w. A.
Wood and d. c. Giddings, Jr.