A Villainous Act - A Little School Girl Feloniously Assaulted in the City Hall
James Valentine Is Accused
Emma, the Thirteen-year-old Daughter of John Hausman, While Returning from an Errand, Is Enticed into the Building, and in the Darkness, the Heinous Crime Was Perpetrated - The Child Now Confined to Bed in a Very Nervous State
Last evening about six o'clock, the police were notified that a felonious assault had been made on a little girl hi the City Hall. The assault occurred within a stone's throw of the police station, yet the perpetrator of the fiendish outrage went about his heinous crime so stealthily that the dastardly deed was accomplished right in the heart of the city, in broad daylight, and noone knew anything about it until too late to be of any help to the poor girl.
It would seem that some time after returning from school at Union street yesterday evening, Emma Hausman, who is going
on fourteen years of age, and the daughter of Mr. John Hausman, an employee of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, left her
house on Polk street, and went downtown to do some shopping. She went first to Zimmerman's boot and shoe store on
Baltimore street, and then to Hambleton's dry goods store, and on her way home stopped in at Seifer's Bros, store on Centre
street, and after making a purchase, started on up the street in the direction of home.
When at a point directly in front of City Hall, she was approached by a man who said he had a "check for her mother," and
then induced the little girl to accompany him up the steps to the first landing in the hall, when the man tried to open a door,
but failing at this, he caught little Emma by the hand and dragged her up another flight of steps, telling her if she made any
outcry he would kill her. After placing a handkerchief over the girl's face, he threw her on the floor and succeeded in
accomplishing his purpose.
A Times reporter called at the house on Polk street this morning and was told by the girl's mother, Mrs. Hausman, that
although Emma was feeling a little better, she was in such a nervous and excited condition that she did not care to have her
disturbed, but stated to the reporter that the facts in the case were about as narrated in the above. The little girl also stated that
she had tried to make an outcry but couldn't, and as soon as possible she ran down stairs and hastened home where she related
what had taken place.
Emma gave a description of the man, and as soon as the crime was made known, excitement was high, and the police of the
city were looking for the man who had committed the offense. About 12 o'clock last night, Officer Madore aroused Squire
Thompson and swore out a warrant for James Valentine, a bill poster of this city, who was soon thereafter arrested and placed
in jail, charged with the awful crime.
Emma Hausman is said to be a very bright girl and is quite small for one of her age. Her father is naturally very indignant
over the matter and has the sympathy of everyone.
This morning, police officer Beck and Lieut. Hughes called at the Squire's office and obtained a release for Valentine in order
to take him to the home of the girl for the purpose of seeing if she could identify him as the perpetrator of the crime. The
sheriff, on presentation of the release, refused to turn the prisoner over to the officers. The sheriff pursued this course after
consultation with State's Attorney Sloan.
It is understood that as soon as the girl is able she will be taken to the jail and will confront the prisoner. The hat which
Valentine wore was shown the girl and she said it was the same kind of a hat worn by the man who had committed the
assault.
The excitement over the matter throughout the city today was intense, and people stood on the street corners discussing the
brutal outrage.
Dr. J. Jones Wilson, the doctor who was called to attend the girl, stated to the Times that the man had evidently accomplished
his brutal purpose, and that the child, who will be fourteen years old on the 24th day of this month, was much bruised and
torn by the brute. The careful investigation into the whereabouts of the accused, Jas. Valentine, yesterday afternoon, shows
that after returning from George's Creek, where he had been in company with Gus White, he stopped at the Queen City Hotel
bar, and afterwards, assisted by a young man named Thomas Clark, began posting bills in this city for "Side Tracked" which
will shortly appear at the Academy. He was engaged in this work without intermission until about 5:15 o'clock, when he and
Clark took the paste brushes to his mother's home, No. 4 Butler's Alley.
From there he and Clark went to Mills saloon, Centre street, and there Clark left him. From Mills' place, Valentine went to
the saloon of George Lottig, in the rear of the City Hall, and after taking several drinks there, he came to Baltimore street and
was seen there about twenty-five minutes to six. The next known of his whereabouts was a little after six, when, according to
his mother's statement, he went to her house, where he lives, and ate his supper in company with his brother, Harry. Mrs.
Valentine states he went to bed immediately after supper, and remained there until he was arrested shortly after midnight.
The intermission referred to above occurred between three and four o'clock when Valentine was at the City Hall and is
known to have endeavored to induce a young woman to accompany him into a retired part of the building. Foiled in this by
the presence of a city official, he made no concealment of his purpose and boasted that he would accomplish his desire before
night. The person making this statement and appreciating the importance of his testimony was very cautious in what he said.
He was nevertheless positive and stated that it was not the first time that Valentine has used the Academy of Music for
immoral purposes.
Valentine Interviewed
A Times representative called at the jail this morning and had an interview with Valentine, who seemed very nervous and
was somewhat contradictory in his statements as to his whereabouts yesterday afternoon. He further stated that he did not
know and had never seen Emma Hausman, had not been in City Hall during the day, and did not know anything about the
assault until the warrant was served on him last night that he had been engaged in posting bills all the afternoon, first at the
stands along Queen City pavement and afterwards at the stand just before the brick bridge on North Centre street; that he had
been accompanied by Thomas Clark, who resides on
Mechanic street; during this work and after its completion (a little after-3 o'clock) he went to the saloon of Mr. Lottig, where he threw dice for the drinks and stayed at the place until he started for his supper at his mother's house. He could not locate the time of his departure from Lottig's nor could he give the hour definitely at which he ate supper. He said it was upon the arrival of his brother Harry, and that after supper he did not leave the house at all.
Valentine seemed to realize that it was very necessary for him to account for his presence during the afternoon and claimed that he could do so.
Describing the Assailant
The official who interfered with Valentine in his attempt to induce the woman to accompany him into the building at four o'clock, called at the house of Mr. Hausman last night, and in a gentle manner questioned Emma as to the assault, in order to test the girl's recollection of her assailant. He asked if the man was not short and stout.
"No," said the girl, "he was tall and slender, but not so tall as my papa, and he had been drinking whiskey. He told me that Mr. Hamilton had & check for my momma, and that if I would come up the steps he would get it for me; he tried the office door, but it was locked, then be caught me and dragged me up a short flight of stairs where something was built in the corner (ticket office.) There was a light coming through the window where he threw me. I tried to scream but he had something over my mouth and I could not."
"The man had a moustache, did he not?" asked the official.
"No, his face was smooth, and he had on a hat like yours (a derby), but it was very brown, and his shirt was a striped flannel one, and his cravat was blue," answered the girl. It is known that Valentine changed his clothes before going to Lottig's place, and that the description of the man and his clothes tallies closely with his appearance at the time the assault is said to have taken place.
Janitor of the City Hall, Harry Hamilton, states that he left that place about 5:35, a little earlier than usual, and left the front door open, as is customary, the rooms on the upper floors being used by lodges, and as far as he remembers, none of the officials were in the building at the time he left.
He complained bitterly of the loafing in the Academy corridors by the boys and young men who he supposed were employed by the management to shift scenes and clean up. They all seem to have keys to the stage door and went in and out whenever they pleased. He had endeavored to stop this and had even changed the locks but to no avail.
Valentine will have a hearing, presumably at the jail, as soon as Emma Hausman is able to be present. In the meantime, his friends (and he has many of them) will endeavor to prove a conclusive alibi. His mother is an invalid and lives in Butler's alley. She is dependent upon Harry, who is employed at the steel works, and James, who has for many years been employed as bill poster and assistant about the Academy stage, for a livelihood.
The Evening Times, Cumberland, March 14, 1895
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Emma Hausman, who was so horribly outraged Wednesday night, is still confined to her bed, although she is some little better today. It is not known when the hearing of Valentine will take place, as it all depends upon the condition of the girl, but as soon as she is able to appear against him a hearing will be had.
The Evening Times, Cumberland, March 15, 1895
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Squire Thompson after the Preliminary Hearing Remanded Him to Jail
For the Action of the Grand Jury, Emma Hausman on the Stand - No Witnesses for the Traverser Were Examined - An
Orderly Hearing at the Jail -
Promptly at 2 o'clock in the Sheriffs office at the jail, Squire Thompson held the preliminary hearing in the case of the State vs. James Valentine, identified several days ago by little Emma Hausman as her assailant in the corridor of the City Hall. At this hearing the State was represented by State's Attorney Sloan and the traverser by Col. George A. Pearre. Valentine was brought in and took a seat near his counsel. He is much paler and evidently nervous.
Mr. and Mrs. Hausman and Emma were the first witnesses sworn. Emma was neatly dressed and was evidently weak from her suffering.
Mr. Hausman, examined by Mr. Sloan, said he lived on Polk street, No. 32, works for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad company in the yard, was at Baltimore and Ohio warehouse on the 13th of March, the day of the assault; got home at 6:30;
_had been sent for. Emma was his daughter. She was not quite fourteen; March 21 was her birthday. I found her at home. Cross examined by Pearre - got home about 6:30.1 was working across from Queen City Hotel, and it took me from 5 and 8 minutes to walk from there home.
Mrs. Hausman - she was at home on the 13th. Emma was 14 on last Thursday. She came home at 6:10; her younger sister brought her home; she could not speak until I shook her; she said a gentleman had taken her in the hall; she had to die now; she wanted a knife to help her to her grave. She sent for her husband and Dr. Wilson soon came. Cross-examined by Pearre -1 did not look at the clock - was about sending supper to my husband. Emma Hausman, by Mr. Sloan - Do you go to Sunday School? Yes sir. Then you know the nature of an oath - when you swear to tell the truth, what will happen when you do not? I will go to the devil. Then tell us what happened that evening. As I was returning from an errand, a man met me near Myle's saloon on Centre street. He said Mr. Hamilton over in the City Hall had a check for my mother and for me to come and get it. I went with him up the long steps; he tried the first door; said he could not get in and that Mr. Hamilton was not in there, and to come on; went up the short steps to the ticket office; here he said I must come with him or he would kill me; he took hold of me at the ticket office; he threw me down; he did not hurt me; I screamed; he put a handkerchief in my mouth; he had on a brown derby hat; I dont remember his coat or trousers. I am sure this is the man; I had not seen him before, only that time.
Cross-examined by Col. Pearre -1 don't know what time it was and don't think it was dark; Myle's saloon is opposite the City Hall; he told me Mr. Hamilton had a check for my mother; I had never gotten a check from him, but a Mr. Hamilton works at the Queen City hotel and he gets the books for me, and I thought he had a check. I left home about 5 o'clock to go on an errand; went to Zimmerman's then to Siefer's , and then as I was going home, he spoke to me at Myle's saloon. He tried the first door at top of the City Hall stairs and said Mr. Hamilton isn't in here; he asked me to come further; he then put his hands on me when we got near the ticket office; I think he threw me down -1 am almost certain he did. I am not exactly certain of what he did. I don't exactly remember. I went down the Liberty street steps. I think I went first and do not know why I did not go down the way I went up. The first person I met was my sister at the Soyster building, on Polk street. I told her that some man had me in the City Hall. I never saw the man before I saw him at Myles' saloon and noticed him. It could not have been another man like him. It was this man; I remember him by his hat and his face and know him by them. No one ever told me that this was the man. He was brought to me at my house while I was in bed; there was three men; I was asked if I could recognize any one, and I did know it was him.
Re-examined by Sloan -1 had never seen any of the men brought to my bedside, except this one (Mr. Valentine). Mr. Sloan asked Mrs. Hausman when she examined the child. She said the Doctor was the first one to examine her. During her examination the little girl wept quietly and seemed somewhat confused. She is quite pretty and very small for her age. Dr. J. J. Wilson, by Sloan -1 called on Emma Hausman on March 13th, she was very nervous, crying almost incessantly; I found blood stains upon the external parts, and upon further examination found rupture of the hymen and evidence of partial penetration.
Cross-examined by Pearre -1 found evidence of partial penetration; could not tell whether the rupture was made with nuger (having no force) or otherwise; there was some blood clot.
Maggie Updegraf, by Mr. Sloan -1 knew Valentine; saw him on March 13th near the City Hall; he told me someone up in the council room had 4 tickets for me; I went with him as far as the first door and stood there for 5 or 10 minutes; he was up inside the door in the little hall; there were two gentlemen in the upper hall; he continued to tell me there were 4 tickets there, and finally he went upstairs; he wanted me to come up further; he went all the way up saying he would tell the man to come down; he came back asking me to come on up saying that the man was busy waiting but that I could come on. Cross-examined by Mr. Pearre - This is the very man; he joined me on Centre street.
W. S. Clark, by Sloan -1 know Valentine; saw him March 13th about 3:30 o'clock in the afternoon; was standing on the City Hall steps; Valentine came down Centre street with the Updegraf girl (There are two paragraphs here that I cannot decipher.) Re-examined by Sloan - Took one glass of beer in Miller's saloon.
Mr. Hensler, by Sloan -1 do not know Valentine. I never saw that young man. On March 13th (as described by Clark) I saw a young man and girl going hi City Hall.
Robert Frantz, by Sloan - Know Valentine; saw him March 13th on Centre street at 3:30 o'clock; he stopped on Centre street and talked to the Updegraf girl; (here Mr. Pearre objected to the testimony as to the Updegraf girl; Mr. Sloan said it would be followed up, and it was admitted).
Cross-examined by Pearre -1 see Valentine about the neighborhood of the City Hall a great deal; he is often there. Harry Hamilton, by Sloan - Left City Hall at 23 minutes of 6 on March 13th; took car; Lieut. Hughes was on car; saw Valentine between 3 and 4 o'clock; had not seen him since; I do not lock outer doors, as they are left open for lodges. Cross-examined by Pearre - Both outside doors were open when I left; from 4 until half past six I was busy in the Masonic Hall; did not see Valentine after 4 o'clock.
Lieut. Hughes by Sloan - Went up on car with Mr. Hamilton. (No cross-examination)
Jos. Roden, by Sloan - Knew Valentine; was standing in Myles' saloon at 2:30 o'clock, March 13th, saw Valentine andHamilton go in Market house; Valentine was dressed in working clothes with brown derby hat; after that Valentine and
Clarke came to Myles' saloon; saw him next between 5:30 and 6 o'clock standing in the City Hall door on Centre street side; I
saw Emma Hausman go past about 5 o'clock going down town; I fixed the tune by looking at my watch, as it was about
supper time.
Cross-examined, by Pearre - brought out nothing contradictory or additional.
Frank Taylor, by Sloan - Saw Valentine on March 13th after 5:!0; he came from City Hall on Liberty street and put one hand
against post and struck his trousers as if to dust them; he went t wards Lottig's; saloon on Liberty street; John Stump came
about 10 minutes after this to his supper; couldn't tell how Valentine was dressed.
Cross-examined, by Pearre - Could not fix the tune, but it was after 5:30.
John Stump by Sloan -1 got in to supper March Bth-between 5:30 and six. I was a little late.
Cross-examined by Pearre - Was late; had been detained downstairs; did not see Mr. Valentine. Next morning Frank Taylor
said he saw Valentine while he was waiting for me, about 5:40, on the Liberty street side of City Hall.
Here the State rested, and the traverser offering nothing in rebuttal, Squire Thompson held Valentine for action of the grand
jury. It is not a bailable offense. Evening Times, Cumberland, March 25, 1895
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The Valentine Case
At 10 o'clock James Valentine charged with having criminally assaulted little Emma Hausman on the afternoon of the 13th of
March was brought into court. Valentine seemed somewhat nervous and looked pale. The story of the crime with which
Valentine is charged is that Emma Hausman, a child of 13 years, resided with her parents on Polk Street, and that on the
above date she went down street to do some shopping for her mother and that when on her way home she was met at the City
Hall entrance, on Centre street, by James Valentine, who told the child that he had a check for her mother. The child, not
suspecting what was about to occur, entered the hall with Valentine, where, it is alleged, she was seized by him and thrown to
the floor, the brute accomplishing his fiendish purpose. Trial before the court.
The Testimony of the Parents
The first witness placed upon the stand was Johnson Hausman who testified that he was the father of Emma Hausman and
that he was employed by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. He further stated that Emma was 13 years old at the time of her
having been ravished and that she was 14 years old one week later; that he was sent for at the Baltimore and Ohio freight
office and that he arrived at his home at 25 minutes of 6 o'clock on the afternoon of March 13 and found his daughter in a sad
state.
Mrs. John Hausman was next called and testified that she was the mother of the child and that her daughter was 13 at the time
of the commission of the assault; that she sent Emma down town to do shopping on March 13th, and that she arrived home at
about ten minutes after 6 o'clock, she stated that when the child entered the house she would not speak to her until she shook
her, she then asked her mother to get a knife and help her to the grave, as a man had taken her into the City Hall. The child's
father was at once sent for and a doctor summoned.
Little Emma on the Stand
Little Emma Hausman was next placed upon a chair before the court and testified that she went to some stores on Baltimore
street on the evening of the 13th of March for her mother and not getting what she wanted she went to the store of Seifert
Bros., and when on her way up Centre street she was accosted by Valentine, who told her that Mr. Hamilton had a check for
her. Having received checks from Mr. Hamilton, baggage master at the Baltimore and Ohio depot, for her father, coming
from the relief association through Mr. Hamilton, she thought it alright. She went up the first flight of steps when Valentine
tried the door leading into the clerk's room and finding it locked he told her that Mr. Hamilton was upstairs. They proceeded
up the next flight of steps and when on this landing near the ticket office, she was thrown down by Valentine and a
handkerchief placed in her mouth. (She here told the court just what took place at the time.) She further said that as soon as
she could rise she ran down the steps and out on Liberty street and directly home. She further testified that when Valentine
was brought before her at her father's home after his arrest, she recognized him immediately by the big hat and face. She said
that she could not be mistaken in the man. Emma is a pretty little girl and quite small for her age. She answered the questions
put to her by the attorneys in a clear and distinct voice, and seemed very positive of all her evidence.
Dr. J. J. Wilson was the next witness called and testified that he was called in to see the child on the evening of the 13th of
March and found her crying and in a very nervous condition; that he made an examination and found blood stains upon her
person and the hymen ruptured.
Deputy McDonald was next placed upon the stand and testified that he had accompanied Valentine to the Hausman house on
the of March; that he was accompanied by Sheriff King, and that he took Valentine into the bedroom of Emma Hausman,
and he said, "Do you know any of us men?" and that she answered, "Yes, I know that one. He told me that Mr. Hamilton had a check for mamma and I went into the City Hall with him."
Officer Madore stated that he was at the station house at about 6:30 on the above mentioned evening and that the child's father came to the station house and related the circumstances. Officer Madore went to the house and upon the description of the child, swore out a warrant for Valentine, and going to the house arrested him. Officer Madore further testified that with other officers they examined Valentine's under clothing but found no blood stains.
Mr. Walter Clark was then placed upon the stand and stated that his attention was attracted about 3 o'clock by Valentine attempting to induce a girl to accompany him into the Academy of Music and failing to do this and upon being asked by Mr. Clark who the girl was, he remarked that he did not know, but he would get some one in there yet.
The next witness placed upon the stand was Maggie Updegraft who testified that Valentine accosted her about 3 o'clock and told her that a man had some theatre tickets for her and that if she would go up into the council chamber he would get them for her. The girl went partly upstairs and refused to go any further. Valentine's Testimony
Valentine was placed upon the stand and testified that he resides at No. 4 Butler alley and that he supports a widowed mother, sister and brother; that he is a bill poster by trade; that he was arrested about 1 o'clock on the morning of Thursday, March 14th. He further testified that he was engaged on the 13th posting bills in company with Thos. Clark and that after finishing the job he and Clark went to the saloon of Mr. Mills on Centre street at about 5:15 o'clock. Shortly after he left Clark at this saloon, saying he was going over to Lottig's saloon; he crossed Centre street and going through the market house, entered the Lottig saloon at about 10 minutes of 6 o'clock. He remained at this place for about 15 or 20 minutes and then went down to the post office, where he met Mr. I. Z. Hambleton in regard to some work; he further stated that he had never seen Emma Hausman until he was taken before her at her father's house; that he did not take the girl up into the City Hall and did not commit an assault upon her. He said that he did ask the Updegraft girl to go up stairs but it was only to give her some theatre tickets. When examined by the State he said that he had known the Updegraft girl for about one year; he had never given her tickets before; had never taken her any place before.
The Evening Times, Cumberland, April 22, 1895
Mrs. Emma M. Lapp, 92, formerly of 140 Polk Street, died yesterday at the Harbor Nursing Home in Baltimore. A native of Cumberland, she was the daughter of the late John and Margaret Schilling Hausman, and was the widow of Conrad Lapp. She was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Surviving are a daughter, Miss Margaret Lapp; a son, John S. Lapp; two sisters, Miss Edith Hausman and Mrs. Bertha Pitts, all of 138 Polk Street. The body is at the Silcox-Merritt Funeral Residence where friends will be received from 7 until 9 this evening, and from 2 till 4 and 7 to 9 tomorrow. A service will be conducted there Friday at 11 a.m. Rev. Vernon I. Naugle will officiate. Interment will follow at St. Luke's Cemetery. The Cumberland News, September 5, 1973

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