Paragould soliphone. (Paragould, Ark.) 1918-1950, 1922-07-26

though some others took the stand
in behalf Of the young lady, sup
porting her version of the horrible
experience which she alleged co
have experienced near the main high
way in the vicinity of Beech Grove
last Thursday evening between
seven and eight o'clock. Members OF
the family of R. B. Wilson, at
whose home near Beech Grove the
young woman was given protection
and shelter during that night, testl-
fled at the hearing and the EVIL
dcnce given was in substantlatlon
Ct the details as reported and in
conformity to the note MIR. Wilson
wrote to Sheriff. Stepp and delivered
to that officer by son of Mr.. Will
son, who accompanied Miss Worth
ington to the city Friday-the day
following the unfortunate affair.
The testimony offered at the trial
was along the same line as that
covered in the news story appear
ing in The Daily Press Saturday
afternoon. The details set out in
that report were substantially cor
rect. with all of its narrowing
points. and if the same proves to
be accurate the offense committed
was one Of the most revolving IN
its character that was ever COM
mitted in this section of the state,
smacking Of a disgrace sufficient
to cause the citizens of the COM
munity to blush with shame, de-
manding q trial investigation OF
the most searching nature.
Miss Worthington was upon the
witness stand for about an hour
and she was given severe question
ing by Attorney M. P. Huddleston,
Che attorney in the case for Tony
Mcdonald. The young woman held
up remarkably well, considering the
trying character of the case. and
it was apparent she possessed the
Sympathy Of the people composing
the large audience, composed OF
both men and women-many of the
women being Of the foremost fami-
lies of Paragould.. She reoited the
details as published. At the conclu-
SIGN CT the examination Miss
Worthington exhibited much ner-
vcusness and her condition and ap.
parent embarrassment were the topics
of many expressions of sympathy
from those who had listened to- the
trial. The examination was inter
spersed with many pathetic impress
sions. Following the hearing, Miss
Warrington went to the home OF
DR.. Wilson, in company with a
number of ladies, where she re-
NAMED till Saturday night.
The young lady returned to her
home in St. Louis Saturday night
at 1926 on the Cotton Bet. &C.
companied by Sheriff Chas. Stepp
and Mr.. and Mrs. George McCracken
Sheriff Stcpp accompanied the young
women at the instance of a large
number of business men who are
in sympathy with Miss Worthing-
ton and who possess implicit faith
in the character of the young wo-
man victim of the alleged circum-
stances, they defraying all expenses
of the sheriff's trip. Miss Worthing-
ton did not solicit the protection
but the business men felt it their
duty to make certain that the
Young woman be given assured pro-
lection till she had reached hei
home. Sheriff Stepp was instructed
to deliver the young woman to the
door of her home, afford her every
protection at all hazards. In addi
ton to that precautionary measure
in behalf of the unfortunate young
woman, movement has been inaug.
urated to extend protection. if neces.
sary. while she is at her home and
until the case is finally cleared up.
An outstanding development in
this most unfortunate affair was
the action taken yesterday by the
First Baptist and the First Metho-
dist churches of this city, expressing
UNQUALIFIED faith in the character
and virtue of Miss Worthington
Resolutions to that effect were pass
ed and those adopted at the First
Baptist church were placed in writ
Mig literally bristling with expression.
of condemnation bearing upon the
case and phases relating to it II
Is also stated from authentic sources
that fraternal societies of the city
, particularly the Masons and Odd