The Herald of Wales. — 1887-09-03 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1887  DASTARDLY OUTRAGE (?N A YOUNG LADY IN A. RAILWAY CARRIAGF.  A FEARFUL STRUGGLE. THE ASSAILANT LEAPS FROM AN EIPRESS TRAIN.  A most shocking and dastardly outrage was attempted upon Miss Catherine Scragg, school. mistress of Shrewsbury, on Saturday night, on the London and North Western Railway, mid-way between Wellington and Shrewsbury. WKS Scragg had been home to Henley, Staffordshire, for her holidays, and was returning to Shrewsbury to resume her scholastic duties. Just after leaving Wellington, a puddler, named Ovine, living st Tipton, who wae the only other person in the compartment, attempted to violently outrage her, and would probably have succeeded in his hellish design but for the timely intervention of a gentleman in the adjoining compartment. Miss Scravg made the following statement to a shrewebury detective which briefly gives the history of the assault:—" We took our tickets at Wellington, and just as the train yeas Matting Lr Shrewsbury I observed a man Jump into the carriage where I sat, and I illfnight of jumping out, but there was not time. I took up my book to read, an 3 after going a 'short distance the man asked me if the train stopped before it reached Shrewsbury. I said 'No.' He replied tht he wee going to Shrewsbury to fee his wife. But I made no answer. He thee got up, came to the end of the carriage where I eat, and put hi arm around my neck. I threatened to !scream and then he took hold of me and attempted to indecently assault me. I fought hard with him, and he struck me violently with his fist. I then made for the door, and got on to the footboard with the intention of jumping out. but when the door closed it shut my arm in. A gentleman in the next apartment looked out of the window and saw my position, and having led me along the footboari, pulled me int* his compartment through the window. The man followed, but the gentleman who had assisted me bad a swordstick with him, and he drew out the sword and threatened to run it through the man if he came near. That was the last I saw of him " When the train reached Shrewsbury the utmost consternation reigned amongst passengers and officials, and porters were immediately despatched along the line in search of the cowardly offender. He was found lying on the mile in an uncontrious eordition, with his face badly cut and much bruised about the body. He wae taken to Shrewsbury Infirmary, and so also WAS the unfortunate woman, wno was suffering from severe shock to the system, in addition to being greatly bruised about the face and arms. On regaining consciousness, he was informed by Detective Morris that he would be charged with .ttempting to outrage and murder the young lady in a railway carriage between Wellington and Shrewsbury, to which charge he made no  _ reply. James Grice, of Tipton, Staffordshire, who committed the outrage on Miss Scragg in a railway carriage rear Shrewsbury, on Saturday, still lies in the infirmary, but is now conscious. A police officer is continually is charge of him. and he is said to have made some statement, and wants to know if there is any (bailee of getting out of his scrape. Miss Scragg is much better. The case will be heard on Thuraday. The man ()rice, of Tipton Staffordshire, who committed the outrage upon Miss Scragg in is railway carriage near Shrewsbury, still lies at the infirmary, but ;is now conscious. He is guarded by a policeman and is said to have made a statement. On the other hand, it fareported that he is mad, and is known by the name of "Mad ()rice". It would be well if known lunatics were kept out of railway trains.