The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1913-01-23
VIOLENCE THREATENED.
w. w. Douglas Colored Accused OF
Rape of White Girl.

I. William w. Douglas, colored, q
warrant for whom has been in the
hands of officers since Monday last
WAS arrested Saturday evening. In
formation against the negro was
signed by white girl, Miss Elizabeth
Herring, of the old Carbonate neigh,
Iborhood, and warrant on charge oil
Erape was signed by Mayor Reynolds.
THE fellow had managed to elude SER
Twice of the papers by leaving town on
1.-THE evening the warrant was Issued,
Douglas returned to the city Saturday
night to obtain funds with which to
make his escape. The fact OF tie in
tended visit was made known to the
police and was also learned in the
neighbOrhood of the girls home. Ex-
element over the case had been grow
ing for weeks in the Carbonate local
ity. These feelings have been har-
bored and nursed until the determine.
ton on the part of the male element
began to take on organized form
When it was reported that Douglas
would be In town Saturday night, a
posse of thirty or more men and boys
was quickly organized and came to
town. They we're armed and deter.
mined and threats of violence were
openly made The mob was discreet
and quiet and did not create alarm by
open demonstration. A meeting place
was arranged and representatives
were sent to the mayors office to
learn II the man had been arrested.
He had not and the posse next sent
representatives, to the evening trains,
to capture the fellow upon arrival.
Failing in this, members of the crowd
searched about town and visited all
places where Douglas might be, but
were unsuccessful in their search.
Douglas was found and arrested by
the police, but the fact was concealed
from the crowd. The prisoner was
held under cover until after one
o'clock Sunday morning, when the
main part of the crowd went home.
Douglas was arraigned by Mayor Rey-
nolds at onethirty o'clock Sunday
morning He pleaded not guilty.
Time for hearing was set for 80
O'Clock Monday afternoon and bond
on appearance fixed at $4,000. I'm
able to furnish bail the man stood
committed to county Jail. He said he
did not want bond. He did not care
to take the risk of going out on the
street and wanted to stay in the city
hall all night with guard of police
about him. He was permitted to
stay in the city hall until the crowd
had melted away and was then taken
to the county Jail and placed in
charge of Sheriff /. NJ. Reed.
BY means of threats and intlmida-
ton, so it is claimed, Douglas had
iu Oft white
girl, who is about twenty-five years
of age, through a period of several
years. A boy baby, of which Douglas
is said to be the father, was born to
the girl last May. The fact was con
cealed from the parents through sub
terfuge and misstatenient of the
cause of the girls illness. The babe
was legally adopted by Mr.. and Mrs.
Fred PoindeXter, of OskaloOsa.
Douglas was an inmate OF the Her
ling home. where he was regarded
and treated as member of the fam
lily. He operated a coal mine on the
Herring farm, sharing the proceeds
with Mr.. Herling and making his
home at the Herring house. He had
lived at the place since the days OF
the old Carbonate and is we'll known
in the community. he Is man Oh
forty-fiye years or more.
Constantly in fear of her life, 1t is
the girl was prevented from
telling of the acts of the fellow. His
attentions to his victim became the
subject of local comment and finally
the rumors that became current were
the fact OF the birth and
the adoption of the babe discovered
and the matter brought to the atten-
ton of County Attorney McCutchen.
Evidence was secured and finally the
girl was brought to confess the forced
and acts OF the man when
promised safety for her life. She
signed the information upon which
warrant for the arrest was issued.
The negro has made a confession. it
is said, to Chief of Police Walls,
Sheriff Reed and Mayor Reynolds.