Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-08-03
MASKED MAN COMMITS OUTRAGE
ON oEFENsELEss orrumwA
MISS.
GAGGED WITH HANDKERCHIEF
TO PREVENT ourcRy
Victim Tied to Sewing Maehine-At.
tack Made While Child Was in
House Alone-Assaiiant Makes His
Eseaps-carrie Sutherland the Vic.
tim.

Ottumwa, Aug. 3.-With both her
hands dashed to the iron support of a
sewing machine and a handkerchief
crammed into her mouth to prevent
any outcry, Carrie Sutherland, a girl
only II years of age, was criminally
assaulted by masked man late yes
terday afternoon, at her home, 139 Van
Buren, avenue. The perpetrator Of the
crime made his escape Immediately af-
terward, leaving no trace and without
arousing the suspicious Of the neigh
borhood. The police are working on the
case today endeavoring to bring the
criminal to justice but so far they have
not the fainest clue Altho weakened
by fright and suffering from the out
rage. the little girls condition is not
serious.
That the unknown man knew his
surroundings and that the girl was
alone was evidenced by the fact that
he made no move to ascertain wheth-
er or not there were other occupants
in the house and that he evinced no
fear that any one might return while
he was perpetrating his assault.
Unele Tells Story.
Lance Young, an uncle Of the girl,
at whose house she has been living for
some time past, relates the story of
the assault as the girl. whose UNI
nerved condition prevents anyone from
seeing her. told it short time after
it occurred. Mrs Young was also
away from home at the time. Another
little girl by the name of Edna Bow
man, aged 10, who also lives with Mr..
and Mrs. Young, was with the child
before the assault was committed.
About II O'Clock the little Bowman
girl was dispatched from the home
with Mr.. Young's dinner, taking it to
the Grips livery barn. The Suther-
lanl girl went upstairs. Coming down
stairs again she peered out of the din
ing room window to see whether or not
the child was returning that she might
prepare their own dinner Not seeing
her she turned. Just as she was
passing the outside door of the dining
room the masked man stepped in be-
fore her. 1--WE got you" he Kissed
from hebind his mask-a dirty rag
completely hiding his features. The
mask seemed to strike terror into the
poor girls heart and she made no out
cry and was too weak to resist. On
his arm the ruffian carried a small
piece Of rope. Throwing her to the floor
he seized her hands and ran them thru
the iron work of the support Of the
sewing machine, one from either side
and then dashed them fast The girl lay
heiplessly on the floor with her hands
securely tied above her head and the
rope SO tight that it began to cut her
flesh.
Gagged Her With Handkerchief.
The assailant then deliberately went
to the bookcase only a few steps away
and picked up handkerchief. The
girl thought he was going after little
money bank in the bookcase and felt
that she was safe. Roughly he forced
the handkerchief into her mouth Then
he made his dastardly assault. With
out word that the girl can recall he
then walked out Of the same door he
entered. The child struggled at her
bonds but the effort only brought pain
to her arms and wrists. A few minutes
after, the little Bowman girl returned
and at the same time the Sutherland
girl managed to work the handkerchief
out Of her mouth. Frightened by what
she saw, the younger girl turned and
ran. But the cry of her companion
brought her back to the house and she
unfastened the rope which bound the
girls hands.
Run to Neiahbors.
Freed from the rope the Sutherland
girl arose and with the other. ran to
the neighbours. They were Immediately
reused and rushed to the house but
found no trace Of the perpetrator Of the
crime. Mrs. Young was Immediately
telephoned for and arrived a short time
after. The police were summoned to
the scene but could learn from no one
whether or not they had seen any
stranger around the neighborhood.
The little girls arms were red and
swollen from their rough usage. She
was unable to give q description of the
man any further that he was rather
large, wearing a slouch hat, black
coat and a pair Of dirty trousers which
might have at one time been a dark
grey. His mask entirely covered his
face. He left nothing that would give
any clue. The whole crime Is a mys-
terry and puzzle to the police altho
many OF the neighbors have advanced
theories. Several now recall what might
have been a stranger in the neighbor-
hood but they can give no description.
The girls mother was summoned