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A Dastardly Outrage Committed By Negro

A Dastardly Outrage Committed By Negro image
Parent Issue
Day
25
Month
December
Year
1903
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

A DASTARDLY OUTRAGE COMMITTED BY NEGRO

Miss Nellie Newkirk, Daughter of Judge Newkirk, the Victim

Her Screams Brought Assistance--The Brute Under Arrest--Waived Examination and Will Be Promptly Tried

Fred Bubbs, a negro, assaulted Miss Nellie Newkirk, the daughter of Judge H. W. Newkirk, Sunday night, but the young lady by her presence of mind and strength escaped harm. The negro was captured, and being shown his hat, which Miss Newkirk had managed to secure in the struggle, he confessed his guilt.

Miss Newkirk went to the D., Y., A. A. & J. waiting room about 5:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon with Miss Ruth Carpenter, of Ypsilanti, who had been her guest during the day, and at 5:45 Miss Carpenter took the electric car for Ypsilanti. Miss Newkirk started back to her home at 127 N. State street, but had gone only three blocks when she observed that a negro was walking closely behind her. She thought nothing of the fact at first, but he came steadily nearer and on Ann street, just a block from her home he seized her, placing a hand over her mouth to prevent her making an outcry. The brute was dragging the girl toward a barn back of the Alpha Phi house despite her struggles when she managed to trip him, so that both fell in the snow. As she fell the young girl screamed, but in a moment the negro had again firmly grasped her throat. in a second, however, he seized her by the hair and tried to drag her along the ground, and his hold on her throat was again relaxed.

"Help, help," screamed the terror-stricken girl, and Mrs. John Lewis, of Division street, who happened to be passing near by, ran into the yard to render any assistance in her power.

As soon as he heard approaching footsteps the assaulter released his victim and reached for his hat which lay on the snow. Miss Newkirk forestalled him, however, and seized the hat. The negro did not wait to force it from her, but ran down the street.

Under the sympathetic attention of Mrs. Lewis, Miss Newkirk soon recovered her composure sufficiently to continue her journey home and give her father an account of her terrible experience. 

Judge Newkirk was almost beside himself with rage, and telephoning to the jail and the chief of police's office a few words of what had happened he hastened in person to the jail. Tbe entire police force was at the jail when he came, and at once Undersheriff Wm. Gauntlett and others recognized the hat as belonging to Fred Bubbs, a local negro. A thorough search was instituted and finally Deputy Fred Gillen and Undersheriff W. Gauntlett made the capture at Frey & Zachmann's saloon. Bubbs had come into a resort hatless about 6 o'clock and had there secured a head covering, and after his arrest Gillen and Gauntlett took the two hats to Bubbs' mother . The woman at once identified the hat left by the assailant as her son's properly.

Judge Newklrk attempted to wreak his vengeance upon Bubbs when he say him in custody, but was prevented by quick work on the part of the officers.

Bubbs finally confessed Sunday night that it was he who had assaulted Miss Newkirk, but he said his motive was robbery.

A complain of assault with intent to rape was filed against Bubbs in Justice Doty's court Monday, and at 10:30 the prisoner was brought into court handcuffed to Undersheriff Wm. Gauntlett.

The Justice read the complaint and then asked Bubbs whether or not he wanted an examination. The negro did not understand what was meant, but when the matter was finally made clear to him by the Justice he said he would waive examination.

Fred Bubbs is a burly fellow, 20 years of age. He has always been considered vicious and is down in the mental directory of the police as a dangerous man. He lived at 1009 Ann street and passed Judge Newkirk's house every day.

Miss Nellie Newkirk is a slight girl, but vigorous and active. She was with her father to Justice Doty's court Monday and held a private conversation with him and Prosecuting Attorney Duffy.

Indignation is high throughout the city and the citizens are unanimously of the opinion that Bubbs should receive his trial without delay that he may be at once acquitted or convicted.