News: Francis Smith, 1912, York County, PA
Contributed and transcribed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis
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Arrested on Serious Charge
Francis Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. A. Smith, was arrested last Friday
afternoon by Constable W. E. E. Henkel, on a warrant issued by Squire R. M.
Straley, on information of J. S. Maring, of Mountpleasant township, formerly of
Hanover, on a charge of assault with intent to commit rape.
Young Smith was delivering bread to a party in the neighborhood of Kirkpatrick’s
school house, Mt. Pleasant township, Thursday evening, when he met Alverta, the
10-year-old daughter of Joseph Babylon, of Baltimore, a former resident of this
place, who has been adopted by the Maring family, and who was bringing the
cattle from the pasture field, on road leading from the York and Gettysburg
turnpike to the schoolhouse. Smith jumped from the vehicle, it is alleged, and
seizing the child, attempted to commit the crime, when she began screaming, and
to muffle the cries he forced a handkerchief into her mouth. The child fought
desperately for her freedom, and finally, Smith, probably fearing detection,
allowed her to depart without accomplishing his purpose. The defendant was
brought before the Justice, where he entered bail in the sum of $600 for a
hearing at 4 p.m. this Thursday. New Oxford Item.
The Hanover Herald – Saturday, September 14, 1912