Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-22
HELD ON ASSAULT CHARGE
HENRY DIGGINs, CoLoRED, Is
IDENTIFIED BY MISS WILSON.
Judge Kimball Fixes Bond at 1000
and Accused Is Sent
to Jail.

| Charged with attempting to criminally
assault Miss Margaret Wilson. twenty
three years old. last Monda.- night near
| Takoma Park junction along the Bright
wood car line, Henry Diggins, colored.
who was arrested within twenty-four
hours after by Policeman Cullinane of the
tenth precinct. was given a preliminary
hearing before Judge kinball in the Po-
lice Court this morning. He was held in
$1,000 bond for the action of the grand
jury. In default of the necessary security
the accused man was committed to
prison. .-..
Miss Wilson, who is employed at the
st. James Hotel, was the first witness TO
take the stand. She graphically described
alightng from a Brightwood ear prepare
tory to going to the Walter Reed Govern
ment Hospital near by to visit relatives,
| when she was grabbed from behind by
colored man. whom she positively identi
fled Diggins. and thrown violently to
the ground. The witness told of her
struggles to free herself from the mans
grasp, and his several threats to kill her II
she made an cutlery Finally after par
TALLY breaking the mans hold on her, she
stated, she screamed for help several
times and attracted the attention of sew
went to her rescue. At the sight of the
approaching soldiers. Miss Wilson stated
| the man took fright and made his es-
cape. She reiterated the story she had
previously told the police that the man
who attempted to assault l.er rode in the
same car from which she alighted for
some distance. She said the man got off
the car Immediately after her.
Soldiers Testify.
Corp f. H. Arnold, A. T. Carson and
Robert f.. Lane. soldiers stationed at the
| hospital, told of hearing Miss Wilson's
screams for help, and described going to
her assistance and the hysterical condi-
ton In which they found her. Two of
the soldiers stated that the following
DAY. Yesterday. they reported the case to
Fo.iceman cuilinane and gave him de-
script1on of the assailant as related to
them by the complaining witness. The
soldiers attempted to chase the man as
he was making his escape, but failed.
j. b. Bland. the conductor of the car
on which Miss Wilson was riding pre-
vious to the attempted assault. testified
that both the complaining witness and
the accused were passengers and both
| alighted at .Takoma Park junction. the
man following Miss Wilson and appar-
emily keeping some distance in the rear
of her as long they were in sight from
the rear of the car. Bland positively
| identified Diggins as the man who was a
| passenger on his car at the time and as
the man who alighted Immediately after
Miss Wilson,
| For the defense Diggins' counsel an
| nounced that he was prepared to prove
| that his client was twelve miles away
from the scene of the alleged assault
Monday night. stopping with friends, and
| asserted that serious mistake had been
| made in placing him under arrest Dig
| gins strenuously denied the charges
| against him. :
Suspicious OF Prisoner.
Dfggins is thought to be the man who
attempted to invade the Preston home
about ten days ago and at whom Mrs.
| Preston fired several shots from a re-
volver. 1t is said that Diggins tallies
very closely with the description Of this
man. and an effort will be made to have
those who saw him at the time identify
| him.
Diggins is believed to have been ia
miiar with the movements OF Miss Will
son in her trips to Takoma Park junction
to see relatives from the fact that he is
employed Waterman on the foundatio
of several buildings which are being erect
ed near the scene Of the alleged crime It
is said that Diggins often saw Miss Will
son either board or get off car at the
MT