Year: 1865

A Vile CT aud its Tragic Result-The
Perpesrator of m Rape Shot by the
Brother Of His vicsim-The Avenger
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Captain Jno. P. Ward, of Detroit, com
mander of lake steamer, lately took
advantage of his position to drug and
commit vile outrage upon Ida Farman,
| an innocent and virtuous girl, who was a
passenger in his charge. The offense
created immense excitenient in Detroit,
and the Indignation against the perpe-
traitor of the foul crime was intense
Ward was Immediately arrested and
brought to trial at Lexington, Mich. on
Friday last. The evidence was concIu-
sive against him. and there was every
prospect of his n,eeting on appropriate
punishment for his Infamous crime
But swifter vengeance than the laws
seized upon him, and by this time he
has probably expiated his offense by
death. The Detroit Free Press of the
10th, gives the following account of his
tragic end: 3


Captain John p. Ward was himself
present at the examination. Young Far
man, the brother of the girl, boy said to
be about fifteen years of age. was also
present. During the whole examination
his eyes were fastened upon Ward with
an intentness that attracted the atten-
tion of tho latter, who became nervous
in consequence and remarked to friend
that he did not know what the boy was
watching him so narrily for. But it sub
seouently passed from his mind, and be-
fore the examination was closed he had
apparentlyiforgotten all about it, After
the court had adjourned the crowd pass
ed out upon the street, and Ward also, in
company with two friends. 1t appears
that the boy, for such he is in appear
ance if not in age, followed him, and
when about hundred yards down the
street, drew revolver and fired. Ward
was but few feet in advance at the time
and the ball took effect, entering about
the small of the back and passing out
below the lower rib. He Immediately
staggered and fell, when Farman fired
two more shots, which took effect, one
entering or passing through the lung,
and the other striking a rib and glancing
outward, inflicting severe and painful
flesh wound. 1t was reported that
fourth shot was fired, which did not take
effect, but whether this was really so it
was impossible to learn in the midst of
the excitement which Immediately there
after prevailed. Farman Immediately
turned about, walked into the court
room, where several persons were still
remaining, and gave himself into custo-
DIV. So far as we could learn, nothing
was said by him, either at the time of
the shooting or when he delivered him
self up.


Ward was Immediately conveyed to
his hotel, and tho best medical assistance
summoned to his bedside 1t was de-
cded, upon surgical examination, that
the ball which eutered the small OF the
back severed the spinal cord, as paraly
sis Of the lower extremities Immediately
ensued, in which case the wOnnd must
prove fatal The ball which entered
the lungs produced internal bleeding,
bnt it was net decided whether this
wound was of q fatal character or not.
The other ball produced merely flesh
wound, which was not of itself serious
though painful. At present writing
Ward is supposed to be alive, although
it is considered impossible for him to
live n great while, and intelligence OF
his death is looked for by his friends at
any moment.