The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-08-29
Thinks Self Next Victim OF
BGtFaying Couple
FlGeS Her HOmG-.-A PartiC-
uIafIy PitifuI Case

Wholesale white slavery, performed
in the late hours of night when prying
eyes are asleep and resulting in the
subjugation of many Centerburg wo-
men and girls at the hands Of the two
Cadets" was the startling disclosure
made to Sheriff John M. Woolison
Thursday afternoon by Mrs. Lima Rus
sell, resident of that village, who
made a special trip to the city for the
purpose of imparting the information.
Had it not been for the fact that
the sheriff was thoroughly acquaint-
ed with the unbalanced condition OF
Mrs. Russell's mind, he would have
been fairly staggered by the tales and
incidents she told him.
Chloroform Is used by the Center
burg traffickers, the woman alleged,
and all deeds are performed after IL
o'clock at night. One Of the con-
spirators, she said, is a prominent
young man of the village, while the
name of the other who is the brains
of the two, is Crawford. This latter
never appears in daylight, the wo-
man believes, but hides in various
barns, emerging only at II o'clock at
night when, with his fellow-operator,
the drugging and 1nisusing of helpless
females begins.
There is nobody in the neighbor-
hood of Centerburg by the name of
Crawford, an investigation by the
sheriff has disclosed. This person is
purely imaginary.
The member of the gang who does
not fear daylight, the woman states,
spends most of his time Dragging
about his deeds to his friends and
cronies. 1t is the firm belief of the
unfortunate woman that the two have
their eyes on her She has called up
Sheriff Woolison frequently and inti-
mated that something was wrong, but
the sheriff knew of her unstable men
tai condition. and paid no attention to
her requests for him to come to Cen
terburg.
Another of these calls came Thurs
day and the sheriff, as usual stated
he would go to- Centerburg on the
noon train. When Mrs. Russell found
that he had not come to investigate
her charges, she boarded the after
noon train and came to Mt. Vernon.
At first, she went to the Office OF
Prosecutor Bermont who directed her
to Sheriff Woolison. 1t was then that
the woman poured out her full tale
of fear and horror to Sheriff Wooli'
son.
She said that she could not stay in
Centerburg any longer, as she knew
the couple had designs on her. In
order to calm the woman and, at the
same time, place her in custody, the
sheriff asked when she expected tc
go back. She replied that she never
wanted to return.
where are you going to stay to
night?" the sheriff queried. THE
ROOQ LOIu Will Idhe CdIO VI Ihdtt Wos
her reply. The sheriff suggested that
he would find her a nice room where
she would be perfectly safe. The wo
man acquiesced and was placed IN
the county Jail.
The sheriff stated Friday that Mrs
Russell on Thursday night locked al
windows in her room, bolted the
doors and, after questioning whether
anybody could possibly enter, finall,
managed to pass night in peace AMI
quiet.
The Russell family has resided il
Centerburg for about eight years
Bert Russell is the head of the house
hold and there are two children, {
little boy, aged 15, and girl, who il
years old. They resided originally
in Coshocton county, moving later t
4 to1rt.,er o,,.,.fx1 o.,d 4foroa IN KuOw