The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-07-31
ATTACK. YOUNG LADY
RoLD EFFORT OF UNKNOWN MAN
AT ROCK HILL.
Citizens Aroused: at Dastardly at
tempt IS Assault on Young Lady
No Clue to Assailant.

An attempt at crime occurred at
Rock Hill Wednesday evening which
for its boldness is unheard of in
that section. A young lady, living
an west Main street, was grabbed
and gagged while on the back porch
of her home. Fortunately her as
,sailant was frightened away without
any serious harm being done if such
was his purpose. AS to the intent
of 1the assault no one can say.
The young lady, who is the highly
respected young daughter Of one of
the best citizens, is in highly nery-
Gus condition but could tell quite
clearly of the occurrence. About
1890 o'clock she stepped out upon
the back porch to get drink of
water. She had walked to the
spigot and was in the act Of raising
the dipper when she heard a slight
noise behind her. When she raised
her head to see what 1t was she saw
a man, quite good deal taller than
she, by her. Before she could scream
he had thrown the towel he had in
his hand-and which had hung on
the porch-over her head and istifed
the attempted scream. She was
thrown to the floor but in the scuf1e
managed dto get the towel from her
mouth and began calling for her
father, then for her mother. The
latter was in the room quite close to
the porch, heard her and ran OUT,
but not before the man had gone.
He had run at the young lady's
first call. but before she had sue
eeeded in making any one hear. She
thinks that he heard her mother
moving around IN the room. The
young lady thinks she heard the
chain of the garden gate rattle as he
ran away and he could reach the
street by going that way. When the
mother got out on the porch she
found her daughter lying with her
feet on the porch and her head on
the second or third step. She held
the towel in her tight grasp and was
half dead from fright. A ring which
abe wore was found at the foot of
the steps and her combs were found
further in the yard. The neighbors
were aroused and search was made
OF the premises but without result.
When the police arrived the garden
was so trsmpled By the searchers
that it was impossible to tell
whether the assaiiant had gone that
way. Only one clue, or seeming
clue, has been found.
Mr. Joe Grow, an engineer on the
Charleston division, was coming
home about the time the assault oc-
CURED. He lives quite near the
home Of the young lady and when
he was within block Of his home
on Main street he met rather tall
man who was walking very fast or half
running and who gave him a wide
berth when they passed each other.
The man, who was white seemed
TO wish to avoid being seen. Mr.
Crow did not know him. but thinks
ne would be able to identify the
man he met should he see him
again
The young lady could not say
whether the man was white or black.
She could only say that he was tall
end wore black coat. The people
are much stirred up over the affair,
and whatever his intention, would
like to see the man caught. The
young lady, who is a stenographer,
was badly frightened and was SO
hysterical as to require the attention
OF a physician, but was not seriously
hurt.