Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1907-06-14
RatIitf Found Guilty

Grafton, brought IN a verdict In tht
Ratliff rape case as follows: ave
the jury, find the defendant, War
wick G. Ratliff, guilty a. charged
in the within Indictment. Ant
further find that he be punished BY
confinement in the penitentiary.
Judge Bennett immediately SEN
fenced the prisoner to the full ex'
tent of the law, 20 Years-express
ing his full belief in his guilt. On
first ballot, we understand, the vote
stood nine for hanging. two for i'm
prisonment and one undecided.
The CRIME
Is the most horribly revolving
and diabolical in it's detail, Of any
in the annals of this or any othe,
civilized community. y Ona Birt
and Arnold Caldwell have beef
sweethearts for over year. The
parents Of Ona objected to tht
match on account of the extreme
youth Of both parties, but thu
young people were determined, and
while out gathering flowers on the
Afternoon Of the 22nd Of May, the,
decided they would 20 and ge
married, and trust to parental in
diligence for forgiveness.
1t was their intention to catch
train at flag stop above Marlin
ton, but fearing that their pres
ence would be missed and the trair
watched, tho youthful lovers chang
ed their course to the Virginia line
Warwick Ratliff, who lives on Mar
lin mountain, four miles distant
had horses which he occasionll
hired, aud perhaps he would be in
duced to assist than in starting il
life. Together they walked thu
four miles through the primitive
forest, which intervenes between
Marlinton and the Ratliff farm.
Ora sat at the gate while Arnol(
went to Ratliff and asked if he ant
his girl could stay all night. Rat
lift said they could, and while hi
and his friend Gay did the chores
Arnold and Ona washed the dishes
and otherwise made themselves a
home. There was whiskey, at thu
house and Cav and Ratliff boil
drank.
About dark, after whispered con
versations between Ratliff and Gay
Gay drove the boy Arnold away II,
the point Of a pistol, and Ratlifl
made preparations to bring Ons
back to her father. Horses are
saddled, and Ona is forced tc
mount.
Warwick Ratliff owns the old
Sam Moore place. 1t is situated on
the crest of Marlin mountain, where
ridges diverge to the four points OF
the compass. Toward town there
is rough wagon road which leads
to the farm. Down this road Rat.
lift brought the 16-year old girl q
distance of two miles, to a point
almost in sight of Marlinton
There at ght, in the dark dismal
forests, with generalization, COM
United q crime against defenseless
womanhood, which only for the re-
>pect of our people, for the law,
their confidence in court and jury
and for the suppression of detail.
would have caused the people to
rise as one man to tear his bones
asunder.
Arnold came on to town. and
notified Sergeant Yeager and
Squire Bird. They fastened tn
Ratliff's. A mile or so and Ona' S
ccreams rent the night air. Hur-
rying forward, there was the girl
on some blankets. almost too weak
to stand, horses tied near, Ratliff
making off through the woods, and
the ground showing the appear
ance Of struggle having taken
place.
Both men fired upon Ratliff as
he ran. and then attention was
given to the Young girl, who was
in a .deplorable condition-ravish-
ed, torn and bleeding. She was
helped up behind her father, and
preparations made to return home
for medical attention and blood
bounds. A movement was heard
in the bushes. Ratliff had not run
off as he had to lie down to escape
the bullets. He was placed under
arrest, but not before the frepzied
parent had attempted to kill him
Ratliff was brought to jail, and
after trial lasting three days was
found guilty and sentenced to 20
years in the penitentiary at hard
labor --Pocahontas Times.