Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-03-20
HALL ASSAULT
ST|RS COUNTY
FRIENDS LAY CASE BEFORE
COUNTY ATTORNEY AND
SHERIFF EDGAR.
LACK OF EVIDENCE MAY
HANDICAP INVESTIGATION
TALL Said Not to Be Certain of Identity
of Any of His Assailants, with Pos
sihIy One or Two Exceptions-Men
Were Masked and Talked in Low
Voice-Clemons Men Accused.

Few incidents in connection with the
only in Marietta and Minerva town
ship, but elsewhere, as the news of the
seizure and painting Of Raymond w,
Hall, OF near Minerva Monday night.
The assault has sharpened the contro-
yersy regarding Halls case in the clas-
sification for the draft. Some have
littleS sympathy for Hall, but others,
who have believed there was justice in
his claim for industrial classification,
believe he was greatly wronged Few
serious minded and law abiding citi-
zens are expressing other than condem-
nation for the mobilize act.
Some who believe his classification
was Just have already made some effort
to bring the case to the attention of
the grand jury that is in session.
Whether or not the jury will take up
the case a few days development Will
probably tell.
Lack of Evidence.
1t is said that neither Hall nor his
father, James Hall. will do anything to
insist that the grand jury investigate
or will attempt to prosecute. This
statement has been made by friends
of the family, but has not been verified
by the Halls. Some nc!ghhors laid the
case before County Attorney Scott and
Sheriff Edgar late Tuesday. But these
neighbors admit there is a lack OF evil
dence, altho they have their suspicious
aroused.
They have quoted Hall as saying
that he was by no means certain of the
identity of any of the young men in the
crowd, with the possible exception of
one or two.
Painters Were Masked.
This is accounted for by number Of
reasons. AS later details were obtain
able it develops that what conversation
was carried on between members of
the gang or with Hall was in whispers,
and that all those who came in the
automobiles 10 Halls house were mask
ed or wore handkerchiefs over their
faces. Also it was dark.
AS matter of fact Hall had small
chance to have a fair look at any of
his assailants partly because of the
darkness and partly because, when he
was smothered under blanket, he was
bundled into one of the cars. thrown
Jli Si1C DSkScAAA u ~ anu VIII biSHii-
ket still covering him men in the car
sat upon him till he was taken out
nearly snothered at Marietta.
1t has been established that Halls
clothing was not removed, but that he
was held and the paint was poured
down his back inside his clothing. He
walked home as fully clad as when he
was seized
Say Minerva Was at Home.
Friends Of the Hall family say that
it was Clemens crowd. but this state
ment, insofar as is known, is without
proof and is based partly on alleged
animosity certain young men of Glenn
ons are said to have held against Hall
even before the nation went to war. It
is told that Hall has been subject to
previous annoyances by Clemens young
men, and that alleged insults said to
have been made in his presence regard
ing a young woman of Clemens with
whom he was keeping company, all but
started a fight once in barber shop
at Clemens.
In the Minerva neighhorhood it rs
said that a check Of the homes Of the
neighborhood was made Monday night
as soon as the news of the painting
spread, and that every young man was
accounted for.
An incident that may or may not
have any connection with the assault
,was seen IN TINS city Monday night.
Two cars. one large seven passenger
touring car, and the other a smaller
car, were driven into the city close to-
gether. Neither Of the cars bore license
tags. and were driven thru the business
section without stopping.