The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1917-09-07
Name of Negro Who Attack
ed Gussie Boyd
Unknown.
POLICE SEARCH WOODS
TO LOCATE VILLAIN
Constable Refused to Begin Inn
mediate Investigation into
the Crime.

AllcI iii dli-usiy SSUiNAi viz PN'>>
yesterday gave up all hope of finding
the negro who is sought on a charge
OF outraging Gustie Boyd, the 14-year
old daughter of William Boyd, who
lives in Smelterville. Owing to the
late start the police got in making
an investigation into the crime, the
negro was given an opportunity to
make his escape.
A warrant has been issued for the
arrest Of the asSailant Of the young
girl, but the name of the villain has
not vet been ascertained by either the
police or the county authorities. The
warrant was issued Thursday evening
and turned over to Policeman Groce,
who in turn notified Constable Sew
ally.
Following the issuance of the war
rant Policeman Groce, to whom the
warrant was given by the mother of
the injured girl, called up Constable
Scivally, but, according to the police
man, Constable Scivally refused to ac-
company him TO Smcltcrville because
of the late hour.
Policeman Grocc told reporter for
The Tribune yesterday he called UP the
constable shortly after 9 O'Clock
Thursday evening and informed him
that a warrant had been issued by
Justice of the Peace Wilier for the ar
rest of the negro suspected of the
horrible crime. The constable, how
ever, refused to leave his home and
start an investigation to ascertain the
whereabouts of the negro.
Owing to the fact that the police
of the Cape were in doubt as to their
right to make any arrests in Smelter-
vile, it being outside the city limits,
the police called on the constable to
have him take charge of the investi-
cation. The police say the refusal of
the constable to take immediate &C
ton gave the negroasufficient time to
make his escape.
man Groce went to Smelterville late
Chief of Police Whitener and Police
Thursday evening to begin an invcsti-
cation. They spent the entire night
searching the woods and the houses
occupied by the negroes inquiring for
the negro who had outraged the little
girl.
The two policemen called on the pa
rents Of the little girl shortly after
midnight Thursday night to ascertain
the circumstances of the assault. Their
inquiries revealed the same facts as
told in The Tribune Friday morning.
The officers were directed to an old
colorcd man who lives in a little house
on the river bank, about mile south
of the home of the girls parents.
This negro is commonly known as
Dad" When questioned by the police
the old man admitted that he had seen
the negro shortly before the time he
committed the attack upon the girl.
He told Chief Whitcncr he and the
other negro were seated on the rail
road trcstle spanning the Cape La
Croix Creek when the little girl pass
ed going to the commissary of Hcly's
rock crusher.
dad" said he had found Il piece
,of tin in the woods which he was car
rying home, when he met the negro
After talking to him for short time
he left the younger negro alone and
returned to his hut on the railroad
tracks.
From the parents of the girl the
police learned the young negro let the
child pass him and waited until she
had reached a spot thickly grown with
high weeds. He darted after her and
seized her from the rear, placing his
hand over her mouth and threatening
to kill her if she made an cutlery
When the little girl resisted, the police
learned from the parents, the negro
threw her to the ground, choking hel
into insensbility. When the girl re.
gained consciousness the negro wa!
gone.
Several hours after the assault the
mother of the girl called upon Judge
Willer to have a warrant ISSUED
against the negro. She told the Judge
her daughter came home hysterica
showing the marks of the assailant';
fingers on her throat. She was so ex.
hausted and excited, the mother said
it required sometime for her daughter
to recover to tell coherent story.
A strong sentiment was aroused
AGAINST the colored people in Smelter.
vile yesterday following the publish
ing Of the story in The Tribune of the
attack on the girl. During the day
ne feeling grew so strong that many