The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1914-07-23
MRS. MANgFIELD VICTIM
OF BLACK FIEND.


One Of the most heinous, atroci-
GUS, dastardly deeds in the cata-
logue of crime is reported to have
been attempted by a black brute
ON the person Of Mrs. Noah Mans
field, about 3 o'clock Saturday
afternoon, at her home on tho j.
ID. Leech place ten miles below
Hickman.
Possibly with a knowledge Of
her husbands absence and her de-
fenseless condition, Son" Medley
IA big, black, strapping negro, 81
years old, attempted TO take adj
vantage of Mrs. Mansfield, and
doubtless would have succeeded
had not the frail creature exerted
every fibre Of her body in repell-
ing his attack, ana continued
screaming until he was finally
frightened.
Mrs. Mansfield story is about
AS follows: The negro, who lat
or proved 10 be Son Medley,
called at her door and asked if
Mr.. Mansfield was at home. He
was told that he was in the field
at work. Then he asked for
drink of water. Not caring a.
bout his coming any nearer, Mrs.
Mansfield brought a glass of
water, which he drank. After
he had finished, she took the glass
10 place il back in the kitchen,
and as she did So, the negro fol-
lowed her. Divining bad inten-
tions, she picked up her five
months old baby, but before she
could do anything, the negro
grapped her, at the same time
whipping out a big revolver, and
told her what he wanted, a
desperate struggle cnsged, lasting
ten or fifteen minutes, and all the
while she held 10 her baby. The
ficnd's big, brawny hands clinch-
ed her throat and he threatened
10 shoot if she did not submit and
quit screaming. He told her 10
put the child down, and upon her
refusal to comply with this de-
mand slapped her in the face,
causing blood to stream from her
hose. Unmindful Of the threats,
this woman, weighing not over a
hundred pounds. continued her
barve and unequal struggle, until
finally, fearing that her cries
might have been heard. the ne
gro took fright and fled without
accomplishing his purpose This
was possibly due to the fact that
another house was within hearing
distance of her screams-but no
one was at home--which the as-
saulter did not know When the
scuffle ended, he had dragged her
out behind the house. Leaving
hls victim, he scaled the back
yard fence and told her, in terms
that will not do 10 repeat, that
he would get her later.
After he had gone, Mrs. Mans
field, exhausted and bloody
dragged herself and baby to the
field and told her husband what
had happened. He hurried to a
telephone and notified Deputy
Sheriff W. A. Naylor, who, ac-
companied by Chief Jno, Wright,
Rob Goalder and Jake Plant, pro-
cured AN auto and FASTENED Ia
the scene of the crime. From
Mrs. Mansfield they got "A descrip'
ton Of her antognist and figured
out that Medley was the man
wanted. They found him at his
cabin with his wife, and the the
clothing he wore fitted the de
scription given. Evidently, n,
was just ready TO put on differ
ent clothes, as change was
found ON the bed when one Of tn,
officers went into the house lie
was arrested and taken before hii
victim who uuhesitatingly iden
titled him rs the negro commit
ting the assault.
The negro was then brought
to Hickman, arriving here about
. O o'clock, aud remained here fol
an hour or such such matter be
fore taken to Fulton TO jail by
Sheriff Huddleston. With
large crowd of infuriated, outrag
ed citizens congregated on th'
streets, the wonder is that he eve
landed safely behind the bars
A similar demonstration occurre'
again Sunday night, but nothlnI