In the Toils

A Negro Arrested on the Charge of Raping the Wife of a Section Boss

Dallas Morning News
25 October 1888

City Marshal J.E. Russell of Mesquite arrived in the city last night over the Texas and Pacific, having in charge a negro named James Smith, charged with raping the wife of a section foreman about 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon a short distance from Forney. Mr. Russell knew nothing of the particulars of the crime beyond that he last evening received a telephone message from Forney informing him that the rape had been committed, and that the fiend, a light copper-colored negro, had gone to Forney, and had there, without purchasing a ticket taken the west-bound train.

A few minutes after the receipt of this information the train referred to pulled into Mesquite and was boarded by Mr. Russell, who learned from the conductor that a negro answering the description given over the telephone had taken passage at Forney without a ticket and had paid him the fare to Dallas. Mr. Russell then arrested the negro, whom he brought to Dallas and lodged in jail. The negro denies the charge, and states that he boarded the train at Wills Point.