Oxford eagle., 1919-06-19
Oxford Lafayette County, Miss. Thursday, June 49, 1919.
NEGRO ASSAULTS
YOUNG WOMAN
Negro Attacks Girl as She Leaves
Street Car; Takes Her to Woods
And Binds Her; Hot Chase in Eff
fort to Capture the Assailant.

Aaurel, MISS, June IU.-hIlaa ltuLii
Meeks, age Il, was Inc young lauy
assaulted last nlgnt. 1elepnOie COM
munlcaLlon az Z O'Clock InIs Afternoon
brought the information from Dr.
Carter, or t.lllsvllie, that practically
every person available was taking
part in the search for the negro.
Drs. Garter and Smith attended Miss
Meeks this morning.
Officers and posse today are search
ing every nook and corner Of this sec
ltion of the State for Tom fairfield, a
negro, who is alleged to be the man
who last night seized, bound and kept
in the woods, young white woman
of this town.
The young lady alighted from a
street car at the south end of Ellis
vile about $3.50 o'clock last night, en-
route to her home. 1t is said that
soon after getting off the car she was
attacked by the negro, who is said to
have bound her and carried her away.
At three o'clock this morning the
young lady succeeded in breaking the
cords that bound her feet and hands,
it is said, and escaped, going direct to
her home, when the incident was re-
ported to the authorities.
Immediately after the report reach
ed Sheriff Allen, of Jones county, that
officer took quick action, assembling
a strong posse, which is searching for
the black. A telephone message to
Hatiesburg, to Sheriff Harblson, was
sent, asking for aid and to be on the
lookout for the negro. Dogs of o. w.
Estes, of Hattiesburg, were rushed
here by automobile this morning and
they are on the trail Of the negro.
fairfield is said to be related to the
notorious Tom fairfield who several
years ago murdered Miss fairfield,
one of the most prominent young
,hite ladies in Forreset county, and at
tempted to kill several others. He was
chased through the woods and sWamps
for several days before he was cap
tured by a posse and raided with bull
lets.
Here is Description
Here is the description Of John
fairfield the negro being chased by
the large posse for the assault OF Miss
Meeks.
Age, "a or %; height, 5 feet 10
inches, weight 100; color, black; lip,
and teeth protude; smooth shaved;
middle finger on right hand missing
at second joint; at the time of crime
he wore dark blue pants, light colored
shirt, and black hat. He may be
dressed in woman's clothes, however,
stated Dr.. Carter, who heard the girls
story this morning at Ellisvlle.
fairfield was reared between Hat
tiesburg and McLaurin.
Policeman Tom Moore and num-
Der of the Camp Shelby Provost
guards are assisting in the chase OF
the negro, and have gone towards
Mobile, where someone said the negro
was headed this morning.
At 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon
j. fairfield, the negro being chased
by posses for the assault of Miss Ruth
iMeeks, of Elliseville, last Sunday night
had still managed to successfully elude
his pursuers.
Sheriff HARRISON, however, received
a telephone message this afternoon
from Laurel asking that blood-hounds
be sent Immediately to small place
near Haumont, where it is said a
negro who answes the description OF
fairfield bought pair Of shoes.
Local men have gone to this place,
and the chase will be resumed i'm
mediately.
A fund is being raised in Laurel to
be used in getting more blood-hounds
to chase fairfield, and those who de-
lsire to contribute to this fund may
send teheir contributions to Sheriff