Halls, John & Wm Royce attack L Barnett & L Draper - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Miss Laura Barnett and Miss Lillian Draper, very respectable young ladies, were walking across the Vermillion River Bridge within two blocks of the heart of the city Wednesday evening at 7 o’clock, when they were attacked by John Halls Jr. and William Royce. Miss Draper escaped, but Miss Barnett was knocked down and then carried off the bridge and into a neighboring field. John Downs, who attempted to go to the assistance of Miss Barnett on the bridge, was badly beaten by Hall and Royce. The crowd that started in pursuit did not find the girl until after 10 o’clock. She was unconscious and badly bruised. Halls and Royce were arrested at 1 o’clock Thursday morning and bound over to the grand jury now in session.