A Desperate Escape on the Duwamish River

Yesterday morning, one of those assaults, unfortunately of rare occurrence, took place in this city. An elderly woman, who for some time had been stopping at the Eureka Lodging House on Mill Street seeking employment, was accosted by a man, also a habitue of the house, who represented to her that he was a widower with several children; that he had a large farm about three or four miles up the Duwamish River; that he kept a housekeeper but desired to employ another woman, and thereupon engaged her services. He told her that his wagon was in the southern part of the city and requested that she accompany him to it, when they would proceed at once to his farm. They started out and walked up to the top of the hill in the rear of the city, when he turned into a by-path. Becoming somewhat startled at his strange maneuvers, the woman asked him how much further off his wagon was, when he told her it was a quarter of a mile away, but that he took the path as it was a short cut to the road. Reconciled at this answer, she proceeded with him. When they had gone a short distance, the way being through a heavy undergrowth of brush, he turned suddenly upon her and commenced using insulting language. At this she turned to fly, but was soon overtaken by the scoundrel, thrown down, and an attempt made to violate her person. She made all the resistance in her power, at the same time screaming loudly for help. The scoundrel, becoming alarmed at her cries, desisted and fled. The poor woman returned to the city in a sad plight, her face badly scratched and otherwise injured. The person who attempted the outrage is a stranger in the city, and although diligent search has been made for him by the officers, no trace of him has so far been discovered. It is to be hoped that he may be apprehended and suffer the full penalty of the law for his dastardly act.