The Van Buren press., 1902-09-13
THE CRIME OF A FIEND.
Hall Malone In jail for a Crime the
Penalty for which Is Death
Proof of Guilt Absolute.

That mob law has not overtaken Hall
Malone, colored brute, can only be
traced to the law-abiding spirit of our
community and the perfect confidence
our people have that speedy vengeance
VIII visit upon the head of the perpetra-
tor OF crime that calls for the action
OF Judge Lynch almost every day In
some section of this country.
Hall Malone, a brutal-looking negro,
aged %, is in the murderer s cell at the
county Jail and on Sept. Goth will be
brought before a special term of the
Crawford circuit court to answer
charge of rape upon the person of
white married woman named Rebecca
McCloud, living on the Cazort planta-
ton near Haroldton. The victim is
small woman and, although married,
is barely more than a girl in years, be-
ing only II years old.
Malone was brought to town Satur.
day evening about 10 o clock by Will
Clark, Will Newton and j s. Mcclure
and from them, while awaiting the ar.
rival of the proper officers for commit.
ment, the story of the crime was
learned.
Mrs. McCloud, whose husband WAS
in Oklahoma, had been visiting a neigh
Dor, a Mrs. Clark, whose child was
sick, and accompanied by the ten-year-
old son of the latter Mrs. McCloud
had gone to DR.. Young Office for med
icine and 1t was on returning from this
errand that the assault was committed,
The path lay through thicket and,
while they were passing through, the
negro rushed out entirely nude and first
grabbed for the boy, who, however,
eluded him; whereupon, he grasped
Mrs. McCloud, and the latter began
to scream. The negro threw her to the
ground and threatened her with death
If she did not cease her struggles. Hav-
ing accomplished his fendish purpose,
he took to the brush. and Mrs. McCloud
Immediately retraced her steps to the
office Of DR.. Young and related to him
the occurrence He gave the alarm
and Malone was captured by Will
Clark that evening and brought to town
as above stated. The facts as above
related were verified at the preliminary
examination held at the court house
Monday forenoon before Justice Fer.
guson, at which time Mrs. McCloud
testified and her testimony was corrob.
GRATED by that Of Edgar Clark, the little
boy who was with her, and that Of 9th.
ers which went to substantiate their
evidence. The negro, when asked II
guilty or not guilty, replied "guilty, -
but as in capital cases a plea Of guilty
cannot be accepted it was changed at
the order Of Prosecuting Att y Rogers
to mot guilty and the negro was
taken back to Jail to await action by
the grand jury.
There was large crowd present at
the preliminary trial and fearing some
overt acts Sheriff Pitcock had the pris.
oner heavily guarded. At the conclu.
sion of the examination, Prosecuting
Attorney Rogers addressed the audience
and informed them that in converse.
ton just had by telephone with Judge
Evans the latter had informed him that
he would call special term Of court to
try the case three weeks from that day.
This satisfied the crowd, among which,
M might have been expected, were some
unruly spirits, aud they filed out with.
out disturbance. The officers took all
necessary precautions to prevent the
commission Of any overt acts, and none
are now anticipated Malone will have
speedy trial and If found guilty which
on the face of the evidence presented
seems forgone conclusion, will within
brief time expiate his crime on the
gsllows,
The last legislature has made execu.
tons In rape cases public ones,