The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1908-06-19

Last Tuesday evening between six
and seven o'clock the people in the Vi
oinity of the old penitentiary ground
were awe stricken at one of the most
horrifying scenes ever witnessed.
Patrolman r. McGovern was seen jerk
ing, showing and slapping little girl
who would be classed as consumptive
by any one at first sight. He carried
the girl to Cedar street and stopped
near NJ. J. Murphy's grocery. He then
proceeded TO bump the girls head
against the wall Not being satisfied
with this he slapped her face again.
The girl, though feeble and weak from
the violent jerks she had been sub
jected to, dared to strike back Her
blows did not appear as heavy as a
live-year old child could deliver, but all
the brute passion that it is possible
for any savage to possess seemed TO
take possession of the officer, and in
another instance all of the cowardness
that man can be affected with seemed
to come over McGOvern. He called to
NJ. J. Murphy TO come to his aid.
Murphy responded promptly. He
stepped up and took hold of one of
poor Ora's hands while the pauolman
held the other: then McGovern seemed
TO say to himself she can't harm me
now" He thereupon brought his club
into play. and with all the strength
he could command struck the poor
helpless girl a telling blow on the
head. The little creature was seen to
reel and cringe in agony. Not being
satisfied at the seriousness of his crime,
the man delivered another blow. He
seemed 20 be determined to beat the
girl te death. 4 great sash was laid
open that barred the skull and the blood
was gushing out as water from
spout The licks from the patrolman
club were heard for several PAGES
around and in a short while large
crowd had gathered. The people were
not stinted in their condemnation Of
/ the actions of the officers. Two priests
witnessed the scene and declared that
they had never witnessed anything so
! brutal. The girl was carried to the
station house and a charge of disorder
! ly conduct and resisting an officer was
registered against her She did not
remain in prison long however as
friends to humanity We're soon on the
scene and made bail for the .unfor-
Stewards office where her wounds
tunate girl. She was taken to DR., Stew
were dressed. 1t was necessary to take
several stitches in the gashes.
Miss Humphrey was seen ny a Globe
representative on Wednesday at her
home 1000 Patterson street. She was
very weak and nervous. To ques'
ton as to the origin of the trouble she
made the following statement:
81 was sitting on the porch with my
brother and he was joking me.
said to him, If you don't let me alone
will call Ruck' to you. In few
minutes he (Patrolman McGovern)
came rushing in and asked me if
called him. I told him did He said
he heard some one call his name.
told him I was only playing with my
brother. He said to me, On you,
don't allow nobody to play with M!
name; you come on here; am going t
take you down He then grabbed hole
of me and jerked me. | asked hin
not to jerk me l was sick. He saiC
he did not give a d-n about me.
asked him to let me get my hat AM
he said he wasn't going to let me &c
d-n thing, and slapped me. I toll
him not to slap me was sick; he sal
he did not give a d-n, and jerked m
r out in the street and carried me o.
e down to the corner of Mr.. Murphy''
: When we got down there he slappe
f me again and began humping my hea
. against the wall, and then I hit him
! Then he called Mr. Murphy to com
. and help him. Mr. Murphy came an
took me by one hand and he held tn
other and then commenced hitting m
q with his club"
: She further stated that she was
laundress. but had not been able
do any work for nearly three month
and had been staying at home kee
ing house for her brother. Several
the people living in the communit
, Testified ~ the frufhfulnpes Of III