The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-10
Cries, Hes the Mani
Mrs. Minnie Spencer
Then Falls in SWOOn
Rosecroft Woman Says She Recognizes Captured
Negro as Being Guilty of Assault.

ssHe's the man! he's the mani
THAT same awful head! Take him
away. Don't let me see him again"
After thus dramatically saying
she recognized William Proctor, a
Foung mulatto of twenty-five years,
Airs. Minnie Spencer, the victim of
an attempted criminal assault at her
Aome in Rosecroft, Nd, Monday
afternoon, swooned and fell in the
arms of her husband.
Proctor was taken before Mrs. Spen-
scer late yesterday afternoon in the
flxitchen of the Spencer home. where the
laHeged attempted assault occurred All
Monday afternoon and night and yes
derday morning Sherin T. II. Vincent and
deputy L. 7. Allen secured the country
ftaround Rosecroft and arrested I'VE ne
kgroes who fitted IN the main the de-
Escription mrs. spencer sa9S ot her as
jksaiiant. Yesterday afternoon they were
brought before her one at a time. all
tbeing sent away until Proctor was
drought into the presence Of the hys-
4erical woman.
Failed at First to Identity.
Proctor had been apprehended the
salignt before and brought before Mrs.
Spencer at midnight, but she failed to
identify him conclusivsly. as she stated
he wore different clothing. She asked
that he be arrayed in derby hat and
black coat. as her assailant was, and
laEain be presented in daylight. In the
meantime the sheriff arrested a brothei
ITO Proctor also under suspicion and
hquite similar in appearance. IN addition
TO other suspects. Mrs. Spencer showed
esOme hesitancy in choosing between tbs
two brothers yesterday, but when VIII
Flisms was told to change his coat and
shat, Mrs. Spencer exclaimed: He's the
fsnan! and tainted
Guarding the Negro.
IN the room al the time were the of.
Ulcers, two. newspaper men. and the hus-
sband and sister of Mrs. Spencer. ali Of
swhom busted themselves IN alternately
assisting in the work Of resuscitatioT
and guarding the negro. Mrs. Spencer
Fsgained consciousness shortly and wal
taken to another room,
Proctor, when accused. merely smiled
end replied: az haven't worn a blacl
hcost since Saturday, Bdrs. Spencer. n
any wife win tell you"
Proctor's wife. who was also present
ssoore her husband out In this statement
ksaying that he wore a gray suit anI
soft hat the day the assault occurred
After again being asked II there va
iany possibility OF her being mistaken
and receiving 2 negative reply, Sheriff
Vincent left with Proctor for Marlboro
where he was lodged IN jail last nigh
10 swat the action OF the grand jury
aSnow IN sessiea there.
Twenty Negroes Locking On.
Surrounding the Spencer home at tht
time OF the Identification were abou
wenty negroes from the surrounding
Section, and nearly as many white men
TAT one time it was feared there nigh
Ebe trouble. but the whites seemed in
kcIined to let the law take its course. al
s4hough it was said by some Of the wis
zones that had Mrs. Spencer positivel!
identified Proctor the night before
Ewhen he was first taken before her
kfhat the mob spirit would have beel
Is5ifficuIt to curb The fact that Mrs
ESpencer showed some hesitation Il
Enclosing between the two brothers yes
kferday and that Proctor stoutly main
sfained his innocence all the while, claim
ling that he could establish an allbi to
Lgether with his previous good character
Eof those gathered at the Spencer home
land Sheriff Vincent was allowed Z
E1eavo with HIS prisoner. Muttere'
Edhreats had been heard all the morning
khowever. from both races, the negroe