Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-05-30
ItIENDISH CRIME

Intense excitement prevails st MAR
lington, w. Va, over the outrage per
petrated on Miss Ons Bird, 16 years old
daughter of resident of Pocshonta'
county, who, while with young mar
named Caldwell, with whom che had
eloped, was taken from her husband and
shamefully treated by two men said "a
be Albert Gay and Warrick Rstliff
The accused are now in Jail at Marlin
ton, aud threats of lynchiDg are heard
on all sides.
The prisoners have been fully identi-
fed. They are nervous and excited,
and are terrified when crowds of men
and boys pass the Jail.
Miss Bird aud young Caldwell, who
conducted barber shop at Warrington,
had been sweethesrts for some months,
although the girls father seriously OBJ
iected to the companionsbip. On yes
terday week they decided they would
elope to Virginia and get msrried.
They stopped at Ratlif's farm, about
four miles from Warrington. for the
purpose OF spending the night there. Rat
! lifI was not at home. When the couple
started away they saw Ratliff and Gay
coming toward the house.
Ratliif and his companion we're drunk
and had jog of whisky in the wagon In
which they drove to the farm. Glad
| we'll informed Ratliff he and. .the girl
wished to spend the night in his house,
and also said they wanted to be driven
to Virginia to be married. As soon as
Ratliff heard the plans he called Gay
aside and the two whispered together
| for some moments.
Then Ratliff answered that he intend
ed taking the girl away from Caldwell,
and before the frightened youth and girl
could run Rstliff dsrted into the house,
got a Winchester rife and cartridges.
and tleveled the weapon at GladwelPs
head. He held the would-be bridegroom
of while Gay took the girl into the farm
house ard attacked her.
The girl freed herself from bis grasp
aud ran from the house, but Rstlif
seized her and held her for few min
u,es; then, releasing her, he covered
both the girl and her lover with a rife
and ordered Gay to saddle two of the
tastes horses in the stable. Gay obeyed
Immediately, and when the Saddled horses
were brought to the front of the house,
Raiifi lhreR the girl on one of the ami
mails while he jumped on the other. Gay
wss then ordered to get another gun and
two blankets for Rstliff, who had Glad
well at bay while on the horse. When
the blankets and gun were handed to
him, Ratlif seized the bride of the girPs
horse and rode of at breakneck speed.
He took Miss Bird to lonely spot on
Warrington Mountain, half way between
his home and Marlington After throwing
the gun and blankets 70 the ground be
tied his horse and then made the girl his
victim. Then he coolly informed her that
she must die.
She begged to be allowed to pray.
Ratliff said be would kill her instantly If
she uttered 8 word of prayer.
Meanwhile Caldwell had escaped from
bis drunken guardian, and made his way
to the home of Chief Yeager. Between
grasps for breath and sobs he hurrledly
told the story of horror.
Chief Yesger awakened the girls
father, and the two, armed with revolvers
aud WiDchesters, went in search Of the
6ends, twenty-oDe minutes after they
were informed of the outrage.
Chief Yesger and Justice of the Peace
Bird csme upon the lonely spot where
the girl had been subjected to brutal in-
digni,ies. Chief Yeager was within forty
yards OF RatlIff when the latter saw him
and ran.
Chief Yeager fired, bu. missed, and
Ra,lif attempted to hide.
The chief and justice gave their at
lention 10 the girl, who was hysterical.
She WAS finally quieted, ard told her
story, which caused her father to cry
out for the blood of her assailsnt.
Chief Yesger descended the hill, and
Was about TO shoot at a clump Of rust
ling bushes, when Ratliff sprsDg up and
shouted: "DOn't shoot me, Paris; Pl
surrender %
When the chief placed the girls as
sailsnt on horse and started TO town
with him, Judge Bird fred at Ratlif,
first With a revolver and later with q
rife. Both charges went directly over
Chief Yeager's shoulders, and he now
msrvels at S escape from death.
Miss Bird is in a precarious condition.
The family physician has been in con-
slant attendance since the outrage was
committed, and says that if the little
girl RECEIVERS, she will more than likely
be of unsound mind for the rest Of her
days. Miss Bird, because of her ak
hours experience with Gay and Ratlif,
has been uusble TO talk coherently or
make herself understood by her rela-
lives. She tumbles and tosses on her
bed, and writhes in unimagionsble
/ onnnU