Lewiston Teller

Public Caning.

"I know not what the truth may be, I tell the tale as it was told to me."
-Local item of News.

On Wednesday eve., at an early hour Mr. John Denny of this city accosted the nominal editor and publisher of the News and after a few words commenced inflicting upon him rapid blows which continued till Brooks escaped beyond his reach.

The affair attracted quite a crowd. It being so unusual an occurrence in our quiet town, we sent our local to interview Mr. Denny, from whom he gathered the following: "Some little time ago the News man commenced to coax a little girl of Mr. Denny to come to his room. The girl refused and told her mother, who not suspecting any evil intent told the girl if again urged that she might go and see what he wanted; she went, Brooks at first wanted her to kiss him, she refused and said she would go: he detained and desired her to exhibit her person which she refused. He then attempted to raise her dress, she screamed and he desisted and told her he would let her go if she would promise to come again the next day. To gain her liberty she promised, but as soon as she reached the door step she told him she would never darken his door again and ran home and told her mother what was said and done. Her mother not wishing to make public so disgraceful a scene with her daughter kept her own counsels and told her girl to keep entirely out of his way so that he could not speak to her. She did so till Wednesday evening at early dark she was returning home from her uncle's, when near Mr. Alexander's she was hailed by Brooks in the street as follows, 'Carrie I want to see you a few minutes.' The girl immediately ran for home and Brooks followed in pursuit as far as the Denny block, but the girl eluded pursuit and reached her home all out of breath and related her adventure to both her parents. Mr. Denny started out in pursuit of Brooks. He could not be found at his office nor the hotel where he boards, but was finally intercepted on the walk near Wildenballer's and chastised as above narrated." Since this public exhibition the facts have come to light of the public that the little girls of several other families have been induced to visit his room, and were there shown obscene and vulgar pictures and attempts made to lasciviously handle their persons. These girls have told their mothers who for shame have kept the matter a secret. If the above are facts the public are to judge of what punishment is due a beast of such instincts.