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Much Excitement in Westmoreland Over His Crime.GIRL IN CRITICAL CONDITIONThe Negro Safely Lodged in the Jail a Alexandria—Special Grand Jury in Alexandria County Reported Indictments Against Rioters.CSpeciai Dispatch to The Times.)WARSAW, VA., July 1. Great excitement prevails in Westmoreland over tho brutal criminal assault upon Miss Susie Costenbader by the negro John Lomax. The young lady, who is the daughter of Mr. R. O. Costenbader, postmaster at Remus, in that, county, was returning1 from the store of Harvey and McKenney, where she had been to purchase a pair of shoes when the assault was made upon her. The negro was in tho store when the young lady first arived and immediately left. Miss Costenbader was walking along unconcerned when tho negro sprang from the bushes; she fought bravely, but was overpowered lv brute force.BADLY USED.‘Her clothes were badly torn and a large handful of hair was pulled from her head; a neighbor heard her continued cries for help and went to investigate the trouble and was horrified when told what had happened.Tho young lady was taken to the home of her parents, which was a quarter of a mile distant; a physician was sent for and a warrant was at once issued for tho arrest of Lomax, who was found at liis home. Ho attempted to escape, but was pursued and captured; was carried before a justice of the peace, who sent him to jail at Montross to await the action of tho grand jury. The sheriff fearing the prisoner would be lynched has removed him to some place of safety.So well did the officers guard their secret, that no one has been able tolearn where the negro has been carried.The young lady belongs to one of the most prominent families of Westmoreland. and is only fifteen years of age, while Lomax is thrco years her senior. Her condition is critical, and great fears are entertained as to her recovery.■ ■ — {iIN JAIL FOR SAFE-KEEPING I- iMiss Costenbader’s Assailant in Alexandria—The Rosslyn Rioters.(Special Dispatch to Tho Times.)ALEXANDRIA. V.\ . July 1.—John Horner, an eighteen year old negro. who is charged with criminally assaulting Miss Costenbader, fifteen .years of age, daughter of Robert Costenbader. who resides near Potomac Mills, Westmoreland county;.i is now lodged in the jail h*'ra I and wi:'. bo kept here for safekeeping until tho excitement at that place quiets down. It is hardly thought he will be molest'd her*1II rner was brought here late last night in charge of two officers and committed to jail this morning. Ho denies tho alleged charge against him. After being arrested the young woman identified him as her assailant.A special grand jury in tho Alexandria County Court this afternoon reported two indictments against Tony Simmons and .in** against Elvln .1 Mnrcey. charged with implication in the riot between the Fort Myer soldier,y and th° saloon men Werinesda y last.Tho first count, against Simmons alleged that he si.or private Harry C. Pancost and the second that ho assaulted private Ceorge R. Ownes. The indictment against Mn.rcey charged him with assaulting Private Thomas J. McManus. Tomorrow the jury will investigate the oher cases. Tancost is recovering rapidly.TAKEN TO ALEXANDRIAWestmoreland Officials Feared Negro Would Be Lynched.(By Associated Press.) ALEXANDRIA. V.\.. July 1.—John Homer, the eighteen-year-old negro who is charged with assaulting Miss Costenbader. a lifteen-year-old girl, in Westmoreland county, Ya., last Saturday, was brought to tills city and lodged in jail to-dav. He had been In jail ar Montross. Ya., but the authorities fearing a lynching brought him to this city.
Newspaper Details
Richmond Times
Richmond, Virginia, US
Wed, Jul 02, 1902
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Library O.
USA 04 Nov 2019
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