Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-11

invaded, and in at least one instance two
young women, both students Of the Female
Institute at Gordonsville. attacked after
having been put under the influence Of
choloform.
Every attempt was made to hide from
the public the fact of the outrages. The
victims, bOarders in Gordonsyflle, and stu
dents Of the school. were quietly taken
home by their parents. Bloodhounds and
detectives were placed on the trail of the
fugitiyes early the following morning. but
snowfall made it impossible for the dogs
to take up the scent. The fugftives are
still at large.
Both Girls Long Unconscious.
The criminal attack was committed at
the rectory, the home of the Rev. F. A.
Meade, with whom several students of the
Female Institute lived. Both of the girls
were rendered unconscious by the effects
of the drugs. Neither regained conscious
ness until 8 o'clock the following morning
The crime was probably committed very
shortly after midnight. 1t was not until
the morning that the condition of the girls
was discovered by the others of the house.
hold. The minister at the time was away
on his annual vacation. there being nobody
on the premises but women. The girls
concealed evidences of the attacks on them
so far as possible. They Immediately noti-
fed their parents of what had occurred.
their father coming for them and taxing
them home Immediately. A full week had
elapsed before the fact that bodily harm
had been suffered by the inmates of any
of the homes entered became generally
known.
State Law Librarian W. w. Scott, whose
house, which adjoins the rectory, was also
entered. has given out the first authentic
statement Of the occurrence.
Mr.. Scott says that the most intense ex-
element has prevailed in Gordonsvilie since
the night of the outrages. and that this ex-
element is fast spreading over the entire
county of Orange. There Is little doubt
that the guilty persons will receive rough
treatment at the hands of the populace if
they are caught before officers of the law
can get them safely into prison.
Large Reward to Be Offered.
There is already in hand a purse of s., 600
as reward for the apprehension and con-
victon of the fugitives. This sum is being
augmented every day by private subscrip-
tons. Mr.. Scott himself raised over S1O0
in Richmond on Thursday night among
gentlemen owning country residences near
Gordonsville. These gentlemen were Col.
Alexander Cameron. Thomas Atkinson and
Col William H. Chapman, United States
revenue agent. Gov. Swanson has offered
a reward of $500 in the name of the state,
and the board of supervisors of Orange
county, the towns of Gordonsviile and
Orange Court House have also subscribed
to the fund and the total reward has been
sweled to large figure.
A significant feature characterizing the
work of the offenders, says Mr.. Scott is the
singular familiarity displayed by them in
the homes visited. All Of the houses enter
ed were selected apparently by men not
only familiar with the premises, but with
an Interior motive in entering only such as
were absolutely without male protection.
1t Is also a singular fact that only the
sleeping apartments were entered in each
house in which were girls and unmarried
women.
The motive of robbery has been aban-
doned because of the fact that, although
there were valuables in each house en-
tered. nothing was taken so far as has
been ascertained. 1t was known that Lii
brarian Scott would be in Richmond; that
Edward Davenport. who Is employed by
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. was
habitually away from home during the
week, and that the Rev. F. A. Meade rec
tor of the Episcopal Church, was away on
his annual vacation. All of these homes
were entered during the night.
In the Davenport home there were sup
posed to be present only the two Misses
Davenport and their invalid brother. 1t
happened, however. that there was an
other young man spending the night at
retreat At the home of w. A. Blakey no
one but the mother and ner two daughters
were to be found In the earlier hours of the
night, the father of the family Gordons-
vile merchant. usually being detained at
his store until late hour. The homes Of
Scott, Meade and Blakey are all close to-
gether.
Intruders Were Scared Away.
When Blakey returned to his home a
o'clock on the night In question he discov-
cred that his front door was locked. This
was an unusual hour for him to return
home On entering the house Mr.. BIakey
found his wife in state of the most in
tense excitement. She said that she had
been disturbed by unusual noises down.
stairs. and believed that men had at.
tempted to force an entrance. Upon trying
the door leading into the parlor this was
also found to be fastened. This room had
evidently been entered, growing plants
and palms having been removed from the
bay window through which the intruders
had later made their escape. The window
was up when Blakey entered the room
While It Is not known at what hour the
men entered the Scott home. it Is pre-
midnight. They were frightened Off by a
collie dog. They probably went from this
house to the rectory, where they succeeded
in obtaining entrance and committing a
heinOuS crime.
1t was at the Davenport home that the
alarm was first given. 1t was well past
midnight when they entered the dwelling
The two Misses Davenport lay asleep in an
upper apartment 1t was possibly about l
o'clock when the frightened. half-stifed cry
of woman was heard by young Dayen-
port. The cry was one of terror as though
some one was being smothered. It was re-
peated, and Davenport ran to the girls
ROOM The intruders, hearing his footsteps
beat alasty retreat. Davenport found one
OF his sisters unconscious. sack. satu-
rated with chloroform had been thrown
over her face. The second sister, who had
given the alarm, had raised herself from
her pillow. On her face was look of ter
ror. She seemed to be fighting for breath
A cloth, likewise saturated with ehloroform
had been laid over her face. She had awak-
ened just in time to save herself and her
sister from worse harm.
Rushing to the window. Davenport saw
three persons running away In another
moment the entire neighbor hood was ,arous-
ed. Officers and detectives wefe at once
notified. and Hurricane Branch's hounds at
Suffolk, were telegraphed for. Branch came
with his dogs on special train, but they
were unable to take up the trail
officials Have Come Clues.
In the room Of the Misses Davenport we're
found a large vial containing some LIQUID
and a pocket knife. supposedly the property
Of the intruders. The bottle was brought
to Richmond by Librarian Scott Cor analy-
sis. Chloroform and ammonia were present
In the bottle in large Quantities. The knife
is being held at Gofdonsyilie. It is learned
that chloroferm ID not sold Ia Gordonsvilie
In the room was also found a match box on
a kind that is sold by only one merchant
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