The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-29

HeTe we are prepared fOnathe worst.
The girls father, who came within
an ace of killing me when his fears
were realized, has been governed By
cooler counsel, and now asks that
the law take its course"
At Ratlifs House.
Miss Bird and young Caldwell. who
conducted a barbershop here for two
/ years. had been sWeethearts for some
months, although the girls father seri-
ously objected 10 the cOmpanionship On
last Wednesday afternoon they decided
/ they would elOpe TO Virginia and get
married. They stopped at Ratlin's farm.
about four miles from Marlinton. for
the purpose OF spending the night there
Ratlif was not at home. When the
couple started away they saw Ratlif
and Gay coming toward the house
Ratlin and his companion were drunk
and had jig OF whisky in the wagon
7 IN which 1hey drove 10 the farm Clad
we'll Informed R2tliG he and the girl
wished 10 spend the night IN his house
and also said they wanted to be driven
u Virginia 10 be married As soon as
Ratiin heard the plans he called Cay
aside and the two whispered together
Tor some moments.
Girl Tom From Lover.
Then Bauiff answered that he intend
g. taking the girl away from Caldwell
for his own purposes, and before the
frightened youth and girl could run.
Ratlih darted into the house. got a
. Winchester rifle and cartridges. and
leveled the weapon at Gladwelrs head
He held the would-be bridegroom or
while Gay took the girl into the farm
house and attacked her.
The girl wrestled herself from his
grasp and ran from the house. but Rat
I'M seized her and held her for a few
minutes then. releasing her he COW
cred both the girl and Eer lover with the
rifle and ordered Cay 10 saddle two or
the fastest horses in the stable Gay
obeyed immediately, and when the
saddled horses were brought TO the
front Of the house. Ratlin threw the
girl on one OF the animals while he
jumped on the other. Gay was then
ordered 10 get another gun and two
blankets for Ratlin, who had Caldwell
at bay while on the horse When the
blankets and gun were handed TO him,
/ RariiT seized the bride Of the girls
horse and rode of at breakneCk speed
He took Miss Bird to a lonely spot on
MarlintOn mountain, half way between
Z his home and the town After throwing
/ the gun and blankets TO the ground he
I tied his horse and then made the girl
I his victim Then he coolly Informed her
I that she must die
/ She begged TO be allowed TO pray.
! RatliT said he would kill her instant
I ~ If she uttered a word Of prayer
i Meanwhile Caldwell had escaped from
7 his drunken guardian. and made his way
3 10 the home Of Chief Yeager- Between
gaSps for breath and sObs he hurriedly
told the story Of horror
Chief Yeager awakend the girls
( father. and the two. armed with re
vOlVeUS and WinchesterS, went in search
Of the fieuds twenty-One minutes after
they were informed Of the outrage.
Chief Yeager and Justice Of the Peace
/ Bird came upon the lonely spot where
the girl had been subjected TO brutal
I indignities. CHIEF Neager was within
forty yards OF Ratlin when the latter
saw him and ran.
| Chief Yeager fred. but missed. and
RatliH attempted 20 hide
Ratlif Surrenders.
The chief and justice gave their ct
tention TO the girl. who was hystericeL
( She was finally quieted. and told her
( story. which caused her father to cry
! out for the blood OF her assaiIant. CHIEF
/ Yeager descended the hill. and was
about to shoot at a clump OF rustling
/ bushes. when Ratlin sprang up. and
shouted: Don't shoot me. Paris: III
surrender"
I Wien the chief placed the girls as
! sailant on a horse and started TO town
with him, Judge Bird fred ar RatliT.
( first with a revolver and later with a
rife Both charges went directly over
I Chief YeageT's shoulders. and ne now
marvels at his escape from death.
! Miss Bird is n a precarious condition.
/ The family physician las been IN COR
stant attendance since the outrage vac
/ committed. and says this morning that
/ # the little girl RECEIVERS she would
more than likely be of unsound mind
FOR the rest Of her days. Miss Bird. be
/ cause of her six hours experience with
| Gay and RatIIf has been unable 20
! talk colprcntIy or make herself under
\ stood by her relatives She tumbles
/ and losses on her bed. and Writhes IN
/ unima giuable agony.