Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-08-22
AsSAILANT ARRESTED.

When norlhbound freight train No.
~ Of the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac Railroad reached the Potomac
wards about O'Clock this morning Con-
ductor Hutchinson and other members
of the crew placed under arrest a negro
who gave his name IS William Harris
and his age as 23, who had boarded the
tram at Richmond, but had not been
seen by either Of the crew until the traln
reached Milford. When the negro was
taken in custody and questioned concern
ing his presence on the train he made no
hesitation in stating that he WAS heeing
from Chester, between Richmond and
Petersburg, where he said he had al
tempted TO criminaliy assault Lena
Roland, an eighteen-year-old white girl.
Upon being further questioned the negro
stated that he approached the girl yes
terday while she was in the garden at
tsched to her home, and that her out
cries caused him to release her and make
his escape. He later boarded the freight
train at Richmond. Constables Penny
hacker and Cornell, of Alexandria cOun-
ty. were notified and they took charge OF
Harris and brought him to this city and
he was placed in cell at the station
house. After he had been locked up ne
answered all ques ions propOuuded him,
and didn't appear at all concerned as to
the seriousness of the crime he imputed
to himself. The negro will be held sub
i,ct to the action Of the authorities In
The county in which the Offense is alleg-
ed TO have been committed. Harris when
asked if he knew the pensl;y for the
crime he alleges he attempted to commit,
replied in the affirmative, and said he
supposed he would be hanged. 1t has
been suggested that the negro should
hsye been conducted by the constables
to the Alexandria county isil, as he was
arrested beyond the city limits.
Chief Goods received dispatch from
G.. E. Robertson, Justice of the Peace
of Chester. about noon today asking that
Harris be held. Constable FARRELL was
10 leave Chester at o'clock this after
noon for Alexandra.
Harris has repeated his story several
times during the day. He stated ms
afternoon that when be seized Miss R0-
land he threw her down, and her screams
caused him to grasp her by the throat
The Girl called to her brother for aid,
and when he appeared with gun he
released his intended victim and walked
away.
oh 9ster is about Is miles south OF
Rich nond. Harris will be placed In
Manchester Jail, as the jail in Chester
field ia not deemed secure.
Feeling in the county is high. Miss
R,ard is said to be beautiful girl.
Herman Branch had bloodhounds out
lest night searching for Harris.
A dispatch from Chester says the at
tempted assault was made yesterday
morning about $50 o'clock. Harris
had been working for Mis- Roland's
fatbe-. but on account of his tritl ng pro-
reusities had been ordered of the prem
ises. Mr.. Roland left home early yes
teIQay mOTbiuB iCS'ihS ~
daughter, who is about eighteen-years Of
age with her brother, of about eigh'
wears and her little sister of four years,
for whom she had been mother since
their mother died. Shortly after her
father left she went into the garden, and
the negro was in hiding in the high
Crss, nearby, and it was there he attack
ed her. She screamed, and her little
brother ran to the scene, aud gave the
man a blow with his fist and while try
ing to get the boy from him, the young
woman managed to get away, but the
negro caught hold of her Immediately
She called to the boy to run to the house
and get the gun and shoot him, and the
little fellow did his best to carry out heI
command. The negro then ceased his
attack and ran, and when the little Eel
low returned he had the gun cooked!
and to his shoulder, though he had
never fred gun. He stated that whel
he got to the spot, only about fifty ysrd'
from the house, the negro had gotteI
over the garden fence, and made III
escape behind house before he coul'
fire. The young lady was unharme,
farther than a slight bruise over the lei
eve.