Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-10-04
haoUNG WOMAN FOUND BOUND,
- GAGGED AND UNCONSCIOUS
ON FLOOR OF HOME.
GuNA1lE TO EXPLAIN BY
{ WHOM OR WHY ATTACKED
probably chioroformed While AsIsep
and Criminal Assault Attempted
Miss Ellen Taper, Of Cedar Rapids,
Central Figure in Battling Puzzle

Cedar Rapids. Oct. 4.-Mystery sur
rounds the attack Of Miss Ellen Tap
per, Friday night, when she was found
lying face down on the door Of he,
home at 500 Fifth avenue east, her arms
and feet bound with a rope, and a gag
In her mouth. She was unconscious
when found, by G. P. Conway a friend
who called at the house. The police
we're called. but could ind no evidence
to convict any one. Miss Taper herself
does not know OF the circumstances.
She has no suspicious that would point
to anyone having attacked her in that
manner.
The house at 500 Fifth avenue, is a
rooning house, operated by Mr. and
Mrs. William Lyberger Mr.. and Mrs.
Lyberger were not at home Friday
evening. There were three roomers in
the house. but they do not know any
thing about the incident There was
no unusual noise about the house that
attracted their attention. They were
all in their rooms during the evening
They were asleep, when the officer ar
rived.
Mr.. Conway. who lives at sos South
Third street west was at the Lybarger
house Friday evening, but left for a
few moments TO meet the Milwaukee
train from the north. He returned
about $50 O'Clock and walking into
the hall, he noticed that the hall light
was not burning. and remarked 10 him
SELF that th:s veg strange, as the light
is always kept burning But the light
shining thru a door leading to a room
OF the hall, Miss Tappers room threw
Its rays on the PROSTATE form of Miss
Taper, whom he had left but a short
time before He saw that she was tied
hand and foot. He rushed out of the
house and gave an alarm. The police
arrived a short time after that, and
they united her and carried her into her
room. physician was called as Miss
Taper was unconscious.
Miss Taper had not been feeling
well. A neighbor brought her a hot
~aater bottle. and she had warmed
some water and had gone TO her
room and was in bed. She fell asleep,
and that is the last that she recol-
to her senses, after the officers ar
rived. Mrs. Lybarger had gone away
about 1880 o'clock to her daughters
home. Her husband had been there fer
supper.
Rope Belonged to Victim.
Walter Roberts, D. w. Ryan, and
a mar by the name of Haley were
IN the house. They were ell in their
rooms and asleep. They had been
home all evening None Of them
heard any sound. Whoever attacked
Miss Taper knew where 70 look for
rope. for the one used belongs to
Miss Taper. 1t is a trunk rope and
was kept in the kitchen 1t was thought
that chloroform had been admin
istered to her but there was no trace
of this on the towel that vas stuffed
into her mouth. Her arms were tied
behind her pack.
How she came to be in this con-
dition in the hall is not known TO
her. Mystery surrounds it all. She
has no enemies. and altho she has been
: married before. she does not beiiev e
that the act could have been con-
mitted by anyone connected with her
by her former marriage. Her husband
was in this CITY week ago, but he
had left the city and did rot know
her address. -iiss Tapper's name was
Kent. She came 70 this city from Wa
terloo.