The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-21
FUGITIVE CHASED
INTO DENSE WOODS
Unknown Assailant of Miss
Ella Miller Probably Will Be
: Lynched if Caught by En-
ragged Men of Mathews
County-Bloodhounds
Will Be Put on Trail.
Especial to The Times-plspatch. ]

Mathews, va, september 2U.--Atter
vigorous search. engaged in By hun
dreds OF armed men. which continued
without abatement: throughout the
hours OF last night and all of to-day.
at nghtfall, after only a glimpse at
distance of the fugitive as he en-
tered a strip of dense woods. and
wearied and broken down from their
. long hours of ceaseless pursuit. the
members of the posse on the trail Of
the unknown white man who attempted
an assault on Miss Ella Miller, broke
up their organized forces and Wen;
to their homes to catch a few hours
Of needed rest before beginning again
at the break of dag another, and what
1t is hoped will be successful. effort
to capture the fugitive.
Ilathews county Is stirred as seldom
It has been before by this crime com
mitted on Tuesday afternoon BY an
unknown white man on Miss Ella
Miller. youngest daughter OF the late
Setn A. Miller, for several years chair
man OF the State Board of Fisheries
The attack occurred in the road lead
ing from Mathews Courthouse to Glou-
I cester Courthouse, In an Isolated spot
between North and Foster. where the
road goes through dense stretch OF
woods known as Church Swamp
Halted by Unknown Man.
Miss Miller was driving alone, when
suddenly from behind a tree on the
roadside the man sprang out. and
grasping the reins of her horse. de-
manded money. On her refusal Nd give
him money he dngged the struggling
woman from the vehicle and carried
her several yards into the woods. and.
brandishing a large knife and choking
all
sibility. he was continuing his attack
when he became frightened BY the
horn Of a passing FISH vendor. u:.d ran
into the woods
Miss Miller, although in a suffering
and dszed condition, made her wayi.to
the home of her uncle. about one half
mile distant. where the alarm was
given. Within comparativel a short
time hundreds of ARMED men began the
search for the assai!ant, which spread
into all parts of the county and con
tinued without cessation throughout
last night and all OF to-day. There Is
little doubt but that summary Justice
would have been dealt IL no had been
caught.
On receipt OF the news of the at
tempted attack. the county authorities
Immediately telegraphed TO Suffolk 70.
oloodhounds, but after waiting for sew
erai hours they were Informed that II
would be impossible to SEND the ami
mails on accoun: of the railroad and
boat connections. Efforts were then
made 10 obtain the dogs from the pen
itentiary farm, and advices were re-
ceiVed to-day that the animals. accom-
panied by deputy sheriff were OH
their way to Mathews in an automobile
Tonight they were heard from be-
tween west Point and Gloucester. They
are expected to arrive some time dur
ing the night, and will be put OIL the
tran early in the morning
Fugitive Is Seen.
Late this afternoon. between and
o'clock. white man was seen run
ming across a field, headed townrd a
densely wooded swamp. known as
Tabb's Woods. and located about one
and half miles from Mathews. and
adjoining the fair grounds Inmed,-
ately scores OF enraged men were In
pursuit, and the woods, containing
about 400 acres We're surrounded bv a
Gordon of 400 armed men, while other
parties began to scour the dense swamp
after continuing the pursait for sew
eral hours without result, the posse re-
luctantly gave up their search for the
night with the understanding that ali
the armed men should reassemble MT
daybreak at the spot where the man
went into the woods and led by the
uoss winch are expected to arriye he.
lore that time continue the search
II Is regarded almost as certain that
lhe assailant Will be lynched II caught.
L. c. Garnett COMMUNICATING attor
ney is doing all in his power TO assiEt
the posses In capturing the fugitive
when he will make every effort TO have
MN taken In safety to the county jail
httt \
be 4 difficult undertaking to persuade
the angy men of this section to ALLOW
the law to take its course The county
authorities believe they can uope win
the situation
Judge c. B. Jones who is presiding
over the September term of court now
In session will hold that term omen for
day or two longer in order that in
dictment and trial of the criminal r.
ne is caught. may be as prompt as nos
sibIe. pos
Member of Prominent Family.
MISS Miller. the victim of this tack.
is one OF the most popular and attrac-
tive young women in the county. she
is member of a very prominent fam
lily in this section and has many friend.
IN various sections OF the State. She
describes her assailant as a young MAI,
OF about medium height. with dark fea
lures. and wearing neither coat NOR
collar He had on white shIrt and
dark trousers. While struggling with
Miss Miller the man told her that ne
was a foreigner and would never ne
caught, but this Is thought to be a fake
story. In the effort to put some one
else under suspicion. Recently several
Italians wore released from the Ma
thews jail. where they were held for a
minor offense, and it is believed the
CONTINUED on Third Page.)