The northwestern bulletin-appeal., 1925-01-10
COLORED WOMAN
ACCUSES man OF
ASSAULT IN SUIT
Attempted Blackmail Is Charged
by Defendant in Answer
to Base Suit.

Lakeyiew avenue, building contrac-
tor. was made defendant in an action
for damages by Mrs. Beulah N. B.
Yourey, 80 Manitoba street. The
case was tried by Judge Boerner in
district court on the 5th and 9th in
stant. before a jury, and the defend
ant was found not guilty as alleged.
Mrs. Yourey is a Negro woman. a
Indian Islands, and has been a resi-
dent of this city several years. She
is member of st. Philips Episcopal
Church and enjoys a reputation for
respeetability. She is a widow, IN
educated, with two children, a boy
and a girl. The boy is a high school
student She is a poor woman, work
ing by the day as charwoman, or
washerwoman. In her complaint she
alleged that while working in the
basement of an apartment building
at $40 Grand avenue the defendant
requested her to call at his office
across the street when she had
finished, as he desired her to clean
his Office. This she did when
through, and Immediately upon her
entrance to his Office he inquired as
to whether she had a husband or
not. Upon being told that she was
a widow he said that that was good
and for her to hang her cloak in the
closet
Locks Front Door
unbeknown to her he locked the
front door, and while she was still
in the closet he embraced her and
made improper advances. She re-
pulsed his attack and in the struggle
fell through a doorway leading to the
basement from the closet and severe
ly wrenched her back, and bruised
and cut her body. She managed to
escape through the basement and
made her way home. The following
day he called at her home and told
her not to do anything about the
matter. Not caring for unpleasant
notoriety she agreed to accept cup
board he offered her, and agreed to
drop 1t. He then made another at
tempt upon her, and tore her skirt
from her. She evaded him and
threatened to call for help If he did
not leave. He left the house from
fear of her threat. She then con-
suited DR.. Turner, who advised her
to see lawyer. She called on At
torney Raymond f. Schroeder, form
er assistant district attorney, with
whom she had had some business
relations. and he agreed to take the
case. Complaint was drawn and
served upon the defendant, who call
ed in person at Mr.. Schroeder's office
and wanted to know why he would
take the case of a black woman
against a white man. The attorney
told him that he was a lawyer, and
as such knew neither race, color or
religion in his practice; that he be-
lieved her statement to be true and
that she was entitled to protection
under the law. The defendant then
employed Attorney o. II. O'Neil to
defend him.
Attempted Blackmail Alleged
In O'Neil's answer to the COM
plant he alleged that it was an at
tempted blackmail. Later the de-
fendant personally called at the
Office of Mr.. Schroeder, requesting
that the matter be withdrawn, offer
ing to pay the costs but denying his
guilt. Mr.. Schroeder said that IL
you can convince me in the presence
of the plaintiff that you are not
guilty I will acquiesce." Mrs. YOU
rey then confronted the defendant
and told the same story that she had
sworn to in the complaint. This en-
ragged the defendant to the extent
that he called her a vile name. He
was then ordered to leave Mr.. Schroe-
der's Office at once or be thrown out.
The defendants attorney next talked
with Mr.. Schroeder and offered an in
significant amount IL the case was
Withdrawn. Mr.. Schroeder contend
ed that the plaintiff had been dam
aged and abused and should be rea-
sonably compensated. The offer was
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