March 30, 1914 - Rape - "She fought desperately with a hat pin . . ."

Here are two articles from different local newspapers both from March 30, 1914. One was the Ansonia Sentinel and the other the Post (my assumption is the Bridgeport Post). In reading this scandalous news and knowing Joe's values and moral code I am sure this was a very difficult day for him in court. Joe was just 28 years old and very unworldly in such affairs.

WILLIAM STONE
HELD BY COURT
IN $2,000 BAIL

Bridgeport Youth, Formerly of
Shelton Is Accused of Serious
Crime by Young Woman.
William Stone, alias Elias Boutelier, aged 17, of No. 431 Lafayette street, was bound over to the Superior court by Judge Dillon in the Shelton borough court today, charged with a statutory crime.
The complainant in the case was Alma Houle, a Huntington young woman, who charged that Stone attacked her in the vicinity of her home last night. Stone formerly lived here and had known Miss Houle for some time.
Bonds were fixed at $2,000. Stone is a conductor in the employ of the Connecticut company in this city. Attorney Joseph G. Shapiro of this city is the prosecuting attorney of the Shelton court and presented the state's case today. The torn clothing worn by the girl was presented in court as evidence of the struggle. The girl jabbed Stone with a hat pin several times until he wrenched it from her grasp.
Stone was arrested in Bridgeport last night and taken back, to Shelton for trial this morning by Lieutenant Barnes of the Shelton Police department.

WAS BOUND OVER
William Stone Plead Guilty to Charge
of Attempted  Rape of
Alma Honle.
William Stone alias Boutelier, formerly of this place but now located in Bridgeport, was arraigned in the town court this morning charged with rape on the person of Miss Alma Houle, of the old Coram Road. The boy, who is but a little over sixteen years of age, plead guilty to an attempt at rape, through his guardian, S. T. Palmer, and was bound over to the next term of the superior court in Bridgeport, in the amount of $2,500, and being unable to secure the bonds was taken to Bridgeport jail by Lieutenant Barnes.
The offense was committed Sunday night, the girl who is also but sixteen years of age, having come from a visit to Ansonia, on the trolley that reaches her about 9:30 o'clock, and found young Stone waiting to take the car to Bridgeport. He did not take the car but accompanied the girl towards her home. While passing through the loneliest part of the way he assaulted her and although she fought desperately, using a hat pin and a stick pin in her defense, he overpowered her and accomplished his purpose. He then left her and ran to the trolley taking the next car to Bridgeport.
When the girl arrived home she told the case to her parents and the local police were at once notified. They communicated with the Bridgeport police and the lad was arrested. Lieut. Barnes went down for him this morning.
The boy admitted all the essential parts of the story, denying, however, having consummated the act. He had just secured a position as conductor on the Bridgeport trolley and in his application for the situation stated his age as being twenty-one. He was born here, however, and the record shows that his statement in court of being but sixteen years of age is correct, he having been born August 28, 1897. He and Miss Houle were formerly schoolmates and she had no hesitation at accepting his company last evening under the circumstances.
Committee  Will   Meet.

They obviously did not want this young man out on the streets because setting a bond of $2,000 in 1914 was a lot of money. Especially for a seventeen year old boy.

Hope to find more interesting articles before the next letter at the end of April.