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