The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-07-21
COLUMBIA WOMAN
BOUND AND BEATEN
Unknown Men Attack Mrs. Alcthia
Norman-Thrcatenin Let
ter.

The State, 18th.
Attracted to the rear of her home,
2121 College street, by rap on the
back door, Mrs. Alethia Norman was
caught by two unknown rlen, gagged,
bound and beaten. The attack was
made about o'clock yesterday after
noon when she was alone at the home
and the alarm was given about an
hour later when she was found by
her little daughter, semi-corsc;ous.
Last night it was said at the Norman
residnecc that, while she was severe
ly beaten, the injuries are not
thought to be serious.
The police arc working on the
ease, bat at an ealry hour this morn
ing no arrests had been made. The
principal clue is four anonymous
letters, three of which were received
by Mrs. Norman during last week
and one of which was left by the two
men yesterday afternoon. These let
ters threatened Mrs. Norman; life
and cursed her vilely, according TO
the police.
Rap on Rear Door.
Mrs. Norman said last night that
she was IN q front room when she
heard knock. She went to the
rear to answer the rap and two mem
jumped from behind door, having
already entered the house and con-
cealed themselves. One Of the men
threw towel over her face and the
two men bound her, after tieing the
towel securely about her head. The
men twisted her dress about her body
and began beating her, Mrs. Norman
said. Severe bruises were made on
her limbs and about the body.
After beating Mrs. Norman the
men threw handful of red pepper
in her mouth, Mrs. Norman said, and
left with the warning that Eve are
coming back and kill YOU" this sen
tence being punctuated by one of the
men with a vile cpithet. She has no
idea who the men are, being unable
to say positively whether they were
black or white. However, Mrs. Nor
man said she believed they were
white men.
Mrs. Norman was unable to give
the alarm for nearly an hour, and
when her little daughter returned
home she told her to call Mr.. Nor
man who works for the National Bis
cult company. Mr.. Norman was the
first to arrive after his little daugh-
ter. He found switch about the
size of thumb in the bath room, but
was unable to say whether or not
this was the instrument used by the
men.
The switch gave the appearance of
having been worn out on something.
Mr.. Norman said he was at loss to
explain the attack and has no idea
as to who the men were.
Four Letters Received.
Mr.. Norman said one of the let
ters was received last Tuesday and
another Friday while the third was
found Saturday morning as he went
for the morning paper. The fourth
letter was left by the two men yes
terday afternoon. They were all
threatening. One night last week
scme one threw handful Of sand
through their bedroom window, he
said.
Mrs. Norman is a rather delicate
woman and said she had undergone
il operations within the past few
wears. She underwent her last op-
Grafton in February of tn; year and
had not left her home except to walk
to Valley park on one occasion and
to 20 to Green Street Methodist
church to services one time since
then.
Detectives J. P. Broom and W. T.
Kelly went to the home and all last
night were working diligently on the
case.
and the conference sermon by the