Protection, Kansas, was the scene of a great tragedy such as has not been seen in this section of the state for many years. Sunday evening, Troy Demmitt and a companion from Ashland drove into Protection somewhere around nine o'clock, passing a group of six or eight girls, the car halted and the young men invited the girls to go riding. When they refused, the couple leaped from the car, seized two of the young girls and tried to force them into the car. One of the girls, the larger and stronger, succeeded in breaking away from the young men, Miss Doolittle, a fifteen year old high school girl, however, was forced into the car, a Tudor Ford and the men drove rapidly north out of town. Cries for help from the Doolittle girl attracted the attention of a Protection man in a nearby car. He followed the car but was unable to overtake it. Passing through Coldwater, the pursuing driver enlisted the services of William McDonald, deputy sheriff, and both men continued the chase. The news of the kidnapping spread rapidly and a large number of other pursuers were soon on the track. The two young men with their victim continued at a terrific speed in a southbound direction from Coldwater. Several miles out of Coldwater the car took to the fields, leaping wire fences and escaping their pursuers.The continued struggle of the Doolittle girl enabled her to escape when the two young men were forced to leave the car with their belongings and go on foot to the thickets. Here the Doolittle girl was abused with inconceivable cruelties. The pursuers soon came to the abandoned car and knew that trouble was ahead. The sound of the approaching cars however, frightened the two young men who abandoned the little girl and fled. The young men fled in opposite directions as far as can be known. Demmitt went towards Ashland. On his way he was overtaken by sheriff Wm. McCrary, who ignorant of the recent tragedy, offered Demmitt a ride to town. Arriving at Ashland, Demmitt left immediately for Minneola where he was apprehended early Monday morning and brought back to Coldwater jail. As we go to press Demmitt's companion has not been discovered, though it is known that he went directly to Oklahoma after the crime.
The Wilmore News, April 29, 1927. BROKE JAIL HERE AND FLED
Troy Demmitt, who was being held in the county jail here to await trial in district court on a statutory crime, broke jail and made his get-away some time during the night of last Sunday. Since leaving, he has not been heard from and apparently has made good his escape.
Sunday evening he had been locked in the cage, being given the run of the cells as was usual. The lock on the cage door has been out of order for some time and the door has been fastened with two padlocks, and was so locked Sunday night. Securing a piece of wire from his bed, he had reached through the bars of his cell and hooked an iron poker, which he used to pry off the locks. The outside door was barred from the inside which made escape easy after getting out of the cage.
George McDonald, deputy sheriff, was sleeping in the jail at the time, but Demmitt worked so quietly that he was not awakened and did not discover the escape until he arose Monday morning. -- The Talisman.
Also see:
Looking for DOOLITTLEs of Protection - Edwin M., Edith (Mary E. MINCHER), and daughter Elvera
Re: Looking for DOOLITTLEs of Protection - Edwin M., Edith (Mary E. MINCHER), and daughter Elvera
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news articles to this web site!
Keyword: crime.
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