Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1901-08-22
CRldINAL ASSAULT
Committed On White lady Near Mat
theWs, MeckIenburg County.
ASSAILANT CONFESSES THE CRIME
Captured and Lodgei In the Charlotte
J-ii-Swlft Punishment WiIl Likely
Follow.

Charlotte Special gives an account
OF one OF the most revolving crimes
ever committed in Necklenburg county.
MIS- Lemrel Martin. who lives In
Providence township. within one milo
OF Matthews, was the victim OF a most
| brutal assault by William Monroe.
negro from near Pincville. who has
been living near Matthews for soma
time
A!;or breakfast Tuesday morning Mr..
Lemuel Martin. farmer. left his
home and went 10 Indian Trail, Union
county. leaving his wife alone at home.
About $50 O'Clock. while Mrs. Martin
was sitting in front room OF her
house. sewing. Monroe came up TO the
window and asked where her husband
had gone. Mrs. Martin. who knew
Monroe, was frightened by something
in his manner. and told him that her
husband Lad gone to the watermelon
patch. which was c,ose ry.
Why did he take his horse IL hr was
just going to the watermelon patch"
asked Monroe. Mrs. Martin saw that
evasion was useless and did not reply.
The negro made a pretcnce OF leaving
the prem .sCs, but walked 10 the rear OF
the house and entered through tho
Kitchen. He slipped up behind Mrs.
Martin. and Cathing her throat from
behind. commenced To choke her. She
broke loose and friously defended her
self. Monroe Knocked her down with "A
chair. He~ clothes were torn from her
body and she WAS lacerated frightfully.
In her desperate plight Mrs. Martin
continued to scream, and her cries were
heard at the regidcnCe OF Mr.. J. T. Har-
gett. the nearest house, which is 300
yards away. Newton HaTgctt. n cousin
OF Mr.. J. 4. Hargett, at once started for
Martins house and on his way there
was Joined by Mr. Ben Ivcy. who had
also herad the screams.
II is presumed that Monroe saw tho
two men coming. for when they were
within short distance OF the house
he jumped from rear window and ran.
At the same moment Mrs Martin. al
most crazed, ran out OF tho front door.
She was taken to Mr.. Targets house
and spet the day and night there. Tho
unfortunate woman was Miss Susie
PhilmOn, OF Union county, and IL only
about II years old Her condition in.
tensifed the horror OF the assault.
News OF the crime spread rapidly and
in a short time a number OF men. walk
ing and on horseback were In search
Of the negro. About noon they thought
thTv hoH Iir, lnpa tnJ In,
OF woods. but he managed TO break
through and escape. At an early hour
laHt night II was stated that he had
been traced TO within two miles OF
Charlotte and that 1t appeared certain
that he had come to this city. A tcle-
gram was sent TO Fort NIL s. c.. FOR
blOodhounds belonging 10 Mr.. -. -.
Springs, Of this city. The dogs arrived
but were not unleased as the police
felt confident that Monroe could be
found in one OF three PAGES In Char
lotte. The entire force were lmmcdi-
ately interested in the case AMI all
available men were detailed as search
ing parties.
Mr. Lemucl Martin and several OF his
relatives reached town by 10 o'clock
Tuesday night. Mr. Martin did not hear
OF the assault until late in the after
noon. when he was returning from In
liam Trail. He went at once to his wife.
md after seeing he- for a few minutes
left In search OF her assailant
The Capture
At 2:30 a m. Monroe was caught
shortly after | O'Clock Wednesday
morning at the house OF his grandfath-
er, negro cabin on Mr.. Bob Melon
AIDS place. Police officers who made
the arrest were Sergeant Jetton and
Policemen Black. Mccall. Squires and
Garrison. In the party also were Mr..
Taylor Black and Mr.. J. T. Hargett,
who IT once identified the negro as
Monroe.
At 2 o'clock. while surrounded by
the police officers and the sheriff, Mon
roe admitted his guilt. He Is about 20
years old, very black. with a repulslve
and mean, narrow, fur
tive eyes.
Comics ses the Crime.
The scene was grim. The negro, with
the manacles on, stood in the centre OF
the group and at FIRST told a story that
he had imperiectly prepared. He said
that he ana dnOther negro nhIheu
Walter Peoples had deliberately gone
TO the house. and that Peoples and not
himself was the assailant When he
had finished Sergeant Jetton said
You lie Tell the truth"
The negro looked around tho group
and feared what he need not have
feared. His upper lip and mouth were
there was blood on his shirt
and other clothes; and no man could
see the sight quietly or without tho
want TO kill.
Monroe crouched up against the wall
md IN hih second story told that heand
'euples had gore 10 the house and that
le and not Peoples was the guilty pa:-
y.
You lie" said Sergeant Jetton. Tell
he truth. We know that People was
lot with you
Then Il was that the negro admitted
lis crime. saying that he alone ha1
zone TO the house and that he had ao-
onplished his purpose. He went 10 the
table and saw that Mr.. Martins horse
vas gone. He went from there 10 ths
,ouse and tip-tood from the kitchen 20
he room where Mrs. Martin sat. He
old her that be would blow her brains
,,,t She cried and hcn he choked her