Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-01-16

Identifying Harold Quinn, 49, as one
OF three youths whom she alleged
lured her to a lonely spot along the
Illinois and Michigan canal ana then
assaulted her, Bertha Gordon, II, TO-
day faces the prospects of going be
fore Judge B. Harry Keck in the
County Court on a charge OF deiiA'
quenCy The case, with its peculiar
aftermath, is one Of the first assault
charges brought to the attention Of
the Ottawa police in several months.
The attack, according to Miss Cor
don daughter Of Nr and Mrs. William
Gordon, who reside over the lntcrur-
ban station on Madison street, ue
CURED last night between the hours
of 10 and II O'Clock at the rear OF
the collectors office near the Colum-
bus street bridge
Quinn, held as one Of the accused
trio, was taken before the girl, after
his arrest by the police, and posttiyelJ
identified as one of the youths making
up the party OF alleged rapers. Just
why such steps should be taken IS net
known, but It was rumored in Official
circles this afternoon that delinquency
proceedings would be instituted IN
the County Court against the com
planning witness. In event the deln-
quency threat should be carried OUT
against the Gordon girl it is averTel
by certain officials the way will be
paved for an unprecedented scourge
of rape in all parts Of the county
Many girls who otherwise would cX
pose their assailants, it is said, VIII
fear going before the authorities les
they be subjected to similar prosecu-
tion for telling on their assailants.
After investigating Quinn's emphat
ic denials of the charge lodged against
him. the police gave notice today that
he woud be released until more evil
denCe could be gathered to indicate
his in last nights crime,
Girl Tells Story Of Assault.
According to the story told by Miss
Gordon, she had only a few moments
before left the home Of her sister
who resides near the Columbus street
canal bridge. About 10 O'Clock she
started for home, and had gotten as
far as Washington square when she
was stopped by the three men, one OF
whom she alleges to have been the
young man under arrest. After talk
ing few minutes she turned and
walked back toward the canal with
them Just as they reached the col
leCtOr'S office, Bertha claims the trio
grabbed her, and, despite her strug
giles forced her off the street to spot
behind the office, whore the assaul!
occurred, After accomplishing their
purpose, the trio, Bertha says, ran
from tho scene.
Goes to Father.
The girl. ashamed and broken
hearted, hurried to her parents with
the story of the crime. The father
informed Captain Of Police James Fox
who, with Probation officer Miss Aus
sem, conducted a search for the fugi
tives. The girl was detained at head
quarters and when Quinn was arrest
ed identified him as one of the three
whom she met in the park. She told
the authorities that she did not know
any of the others
Quinn, after his arrest, emphatically
denied any knowledge of the crime
and told his story in such a straight
clined to believe him. He said he
knew nothing whatever of the assault
except what he had heard rumored.
To Testify Against Accuser.
This morning Quinn was released
on the promise that he appear in the
County Court Wednesday morning to
testify against Bertha when the de
linquency charge will be preferred
against her by Probation Officer
Launia Aussem.
In statements of Captain of Police
James Fox, Quinn said that he had
heard five young men were in the
gang that attacked the girl, but that
he was not one of them. Bertha, how
ever, denied his story, stating thai
only three men assaulted her, Quinn
being one of the trio The girl IS
being held pending the hearing Wed
nesday.