Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-06-30
A DASTARDLY DEED.
A jefferson County Girl As
saulted by Black Brute.
THE VILLAIN IS CAPTURED.
Escapes From the Officers and
is Still Free.


county occurred last Monday after
noon near Harper's Ferry. The per-
petrator of the outrage was copper
colored negro brute, and his victim
was Miss Laura Knode, the young
and accomplished teacher Of the pub
lie school at Moler's Cross Roads, and
daughter of Mr.. Alfred W. Knode,
respected farmer of that place. Miss
Knode drove from her home at Molers
on Monday to Harper's Ferry, where
she went to see about buying ticket
to st. Louis, it being her intention to
visit the exposition within few days.
AS she was driving along the river
road about mile and a-half east of
Harper's Ferry she noticed negro
man along the road near the little
tunnel. He eyed her in way that
caused her some apprehension, but Of
fered no harm, and she was soon past
him in safety. She had transacted
her business in the town and was re-
turning along the same road between
one and two o'clock. She was re-
lieved 10 find that the negro was not
in sight, but she had driven only
short distance when the same man she
had seen previously sprang from the
bushes along the road, and with oaths
and vile language stopped the horse.
He had over his face mask made
from handkerchief, showing that the
fend had deliberately planned his aw-
full crime. He pulled the terrified
girl from the vehicle, and though she
fought him with the strength Of de-
spair, he dragged her into the bushes
between the road and the edge of the
river and brutally outraged her. He
stihed her cries by forcing her lips
together with his rough hand, until
her mouth was torn and bleeding, and
threatened to cut her throat with a
knife that he Aourished. He finally
left his hapless victim, and with threats
that he would kill her if she dared to
tell on him, made his way along the
railroad westward.
When she had recovered her strength
Miss Knode started towards her home
The horse had gone on and had been
caught farther along, as developed
later. Bewildered and excited and
almost dead from fright and i'll treat
ment, the poor girl mistook the road,
and came to the Rattling Springs
property, occupied by family named
Brown. Here, bruised and with bleed
ing mouth and face, she told her pitt
full story, and as Mrs. Brown cared
for her as best she could, word was
sent to Robert Engle, who lives near
by. Mr.. Engle came at once, and
H. - 1.as.ol - { A. 1900
sent for his brother, County Superin-
tendent J. A. Engle. After Miss
Knode had partly recovered from the
awful shock. Robert Engle returned
with her to Harper's Ferry, where the
authorities were notified and an alarm
sent out. She was then taken to her
home at Moler's.
There was, Of course, great excite
ment when the horrible story became
known. The boldness Of this crime,
the deliberation with which the black
brute planned it, the public place
where it was committed, were evidence
that he must be a daring monster.
The road is one that is travelled good
deal, and the main line of the B. &
o. Railroad runs alongside, with trains
passing every few minutes. By some
strange chance the villain had taken
a timely opportunity for his nefarious
work. No person came within sight
or hearing, no train passed along, and
his victim was helpless and alone in
his power.
When the news had been spread
people gathered from every direction
and vigorous search was made for the
negro. Sheriff Billmyer, who was in
Charles Town, was notified, and with
Deputies Burns and Nichols took their
bloodhounds to the.scene. The hand
kerchief that the negro had used for a
mask was found, and the dogs seemed
to hit upon trail. They apparently
followed a scent that led them from
the place of the outrage to point on
the railroad where the county road
crosses by culvert. 1t is presumed
that the negro here jumped west
bound freight train. There weresev
eral hundred people engaged in the
search, which was kept up until mid
night.
In the meantime description of
the negro had been obtained from Miss
Knode and had been telephoned and