The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-11
Victim of Negro Brute Tells
Virginian Reporter the De-
tails of Her Horrible Exper-
fence While Held Prisoner
Held a Prisoner
for Four Hours
Miss Chenault had Been Detain-
ed in Richmond on Shopping
Tour and Had No Idea She
Was Being Followed Until
the Negro Grabbed Her
By ERNEST c. POLLARD.

By ERNEST c. POLLARD.
Trem bling with fear whenever any
reference was made to the horrible
crime, and bearing the marks from a
fiend's hand on her left cheek ard
throat. Miss Fannie Chenault. the
pretty twenty one yesrold daughter
OF Wallace Chenault. prosperous far
mer of Henrico county. who resides
near stop No. % on the Seven Pines
car line, Is at her home in q very
nervous condition as a result of an
attack made on her Saturday night
by a negro brute a few rods from
her residence.
Miss Chenault. who lives two blocks
from a Richmond and Rappahannock
car, and had gone about half the dis
lance To her home when she was ac-
costed by negro and dragged into a
nearby thicket. where she was kept
hidden for almost four hours under
the cover OF revolver. After keep
ing her in the clump from shortly
before s O'Clock until a few minutes
before midnight, he left her and
made away down the dark highway
at rapid gait. A few seconds after
he had left her she saw q Seven Pines
car stop. and II is believed that he
made his escape 10 Richmond. The
conductor of the car. SAYS that a negro
answering TO the description. boarded
the car which arrived at stop No, "a
about 11:55 O'Clock. He Is said TO have
alighted before the car cached the sta
tion. at Twenty ninth and P streets.
Made For Home.
With blood trickling down her left
cheek and meek from the wounds
made by her assailants finger nails.
tsn IL ut AfGH al ~ q
young lady arrived at her home q few
minutes after the brute had made away
in the darkness Her long absence
had caused considerable alarm and the
entire household was up. anxiously
awaiting her return. Her father. be-
fieving that something had happened
70 her, vas about TO make a search
when she put In her appearance.
After she had related the horrible
details, MFR. Chenault Immediately got
into communication with Deputy Sher-
III Ritter c. Garnett. of Henrico coun-
~. who, In turn. notified practically
every member Of the county con-
stahulary. as well as the desk ser
geants OF the three Richmond police
stations A detail from the first pre-
cInct station was Immediately dis
patched to Twenty ninth and r. streets
Ia an effort to apprehsnd the criminal.
However. when the officers reached the
station the car had arrived there sew
eral minutes before. and had gone to
the barn.
Posa~s Hunt Brute.
In the meantime Mr.. Chenauit
aroused a few of his neighbours. who
soon formed small posse. and went
in search Of the negro. At dawn the
little party of angry citizens was still
searching for the assaiianr. although
their efforts to secure a clue to his
hereabou had so far proven fruitiess
Since the time the alarm had been
given they had secured Highland
Springs. Fair Oaks, Seven Pines and
adjacent territory. leaving not brush
serted house had been thoroughly
searched,
Many OF Mr. Chenault's neighhors
had not been aroused at the time OF
the crime was committed. and when
the news was spread broadcast veg :
terday morning they also armed them
selves with pistols, shotguns and a
sufficient supply OF ammunition and
Joined the search.
When the news came to the ears OF
a gathering In the yard of the church.
to which Miss Chenault belongs. many
of them also left to assist in the
Ia
scene about o'clock yesterday morn
ing. and after interviewing the vic
tim and getting description of the
negro they made efforts to get some
clue as to his whereabouts.
Prominent Young Woman.
Miss Chenault is one of the most
prominent young women OF Henrico
county. and is held In high esteem
by all with whom she is acquainted,
She is teacher in the Sunday school
near Highland Springs, her kindness
towards everyone. and her general
good nature have drawn many chill
dren, as we'll as grown people. to her.
Because of her popularity, the negro,
had he been apprehended by the posse
of angry citizens. would never have
paid the supreme penalty In the death
chair at the state penitentiary, but
would have graced the hough OF a
nearby tree.
When seen at her residence yester-
day afternoon by representative of
The yirginian Miss Chenault related
the details as to how she had been
grabbed by the throat and dragged
into the bushes by the negro.
Miss Chenault asserted that she had
remained In town little later than
usual Saturday afternoon. having to
do some shopping. She said that she
caught the 7:I6 o'clock Richmond and
Rappahannock car. and arrived at stop
No 80 in about thirty minutes.
Miss CAenault's story.
although the road was very dark
and gloomy looking. I have travelled
IL many times unaccompanied. and.
therefore, had no hesitancy in going
alone saturday night" declared Miss
chenault 'When had sons about