New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-10
NEGRO MAY Be LYNCHED
CoateSViIIe People Wrought Up
Over Assault on School Girl.
BIG POSSE IN HOT PURSUIT
Officials Fear Citizens Will Take
Law in Their Own Hands, as
They Did Two Months Ago.

Coatesville. Penn, oct. 9.-Another
! lynching is threatened within this county
as the result Of a brutal attack made
tonight upon Annie McElhaney, stu
dent at the Coatesville High School, by
an unknown negro. The people have not
been wrought TO such excitement since
the lynching Of "Zack' Walker here on
Sunday, August 10.
This evening Miss McEihaney. who IS
the daughter of William McElhaney, a
prosperous farmer, was on her way home
from school when she was attacked by
burlv negro on the road short distance
from this place. The girl fought her as
sailant until half Of her clothing was
torn from her, when Frank Wynn, a
farmer. came upon the scene. The negro,
frightened by the approach of Wynn 3
wagon. hurled his victim 70 the ground
and. leaping the fence, darted across
Wvnn's meadow.
Wynn gave the alarm, and m less than
half an hour there was a score Of men.
all armed with shotguns, in hot pursuit
For nearly an hour they we're able 20
keep him I'm full view, but the gathering
darkness soon obstructed their vision
and the negro was lost sight of.
Officials Fear Another Lynching.
The posse did not give UP the pursuit.
however. and tonight is securing the
country near where the attack occurred.
The police officials Of this borough
were Informed. and were rushed 10 the
scene Of the attack in automobiles I'm an
effort 70 prevent repetition of the
trouble which occurred on August 13.
The r'eadings of the police officials
that the law be allowed TO take its
course in the event Of the negro being
caught fall upon deaf ears, and there
are open threats that If the assailant
Of the girl is found he viii be put to
death.
Miss McElhanev's condition is serious.
Besides suffering from the nervous shock
incident 90 the attack. the girl was ter
ribly bruised by the rough handling Of
the negro.
West chester PENN oct. 9.-Josoph
SchofeIC, the third defendant placed on
trial charged with participating in the
walker lynchirr at Coatesville, was
acquitted by direction of Judge Butler
after tho commonwealth had concluded
its testimony to-day District Attorney
Gawthrop agreed with the ATTORNEYS for
the defence I'm their contention that sufi-
cjeut evidence had not been presented TO
warrant a conviction
Altoona Penn, oct. John PIoWden'
negro. tveuty-three years old, was
rushed TO the Hollidayshurg jail tonight
10 prevent a possible lyuching
Early to-day Plowdeu entered the
home OF John Perkins. a short distance
west OF this city and after binding anc
gsgging Mrs Perkins, assaulted her.
School children. seeing the negro run
ming from the house. gave the alarm and
"a rosse was soon I'm pursuit. The negro
kept his pursuers at bay by shooting at
them The police authorities finally ar
rested him at the home Of negro
friend.
The ueighborhood where the outrage
was comm Itted is afamc with indigna-
tion. but the public at large is ignorant
of the crime a heavy guard has been
placed about the jail at HoIlidaysOurs
10 prevent any attempt at lynchlnG