The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., July 29, 1893, page 2
The Times-Mountaineer of Wednesday's says: Rev. O.D. Taylor was arrested in this
city today by Mr. W. C. Morgan, deputy sheriff of Multnomah county, and was
taken to Portland on the train this afternoon. The crime named is larceny by
embezzlement, and the bench warrant was issued out of the circuit court for the
county of Multnomah. Bail is fixed in the sum of $25,000. The indictment was
found by the grand jury on July 19, and deputy Morgan came up on the 1 o'clock
train.
Of the guilt or innocence of the accused, of course we
know nothing, that remains for the jury to settle; but the questionable
transactions in Grand Dalles real estate which is managed by O.D. Taylor, have
caused a general wonder that he escaped prosecution at the hands of investors.
Time, is said to set all things even, and between the recent cowhiding episode,
and the charge of larceny now pending, it looks as though the end of the play,
where justice is meted out to the heavy villain, is at hand. The Dalles has
suffered immeasurably from the Grand Dalles swindle, and in the interests of
that city, we sincerely hope, its grand namesake across the river, will be shown
up as it is.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., July 29, 1893, page 2
A DALLES SENSATION
(Correspondent Oregonian)
Friday afternoon the citizens of The Dalles treated to a highly interesting and
sensational episode. Rev. O.D. Taylor, pastor of the Baptist church and its
chief boomer of the North Dalles, was thoroughly and most satisfactorily
horse-whipped and chased about the streets by a woman. Mr. Taylor is president
of the Wasco Independent Academy, situated here, and acts as treasurer of the
institution. Miss Holcomb, one of the teachers for the past year, was engaged
by Taylor, and with a lady friend, Miss Equie, left her home in the East and
came to The Dalles a little over a year ago. After the close of the last term
Miss Holcomb applied for the salary due her, and, as she claims, was paid $100
short, Taylor refusing to pay the balance. As she was without means and far
from friends, she had to abandon all hope of collecting more.
Not so, her friend, however, Miss Equie called on
Taylor this morning for the last time and demanded the balance due. This he
refused to pay, and when she assured him that unless he did so she would
horse-whip him he politely informed her that if she attempted it she would have
he would have her put in the “cooler, where he had no doubt she had been
before.” This was adding insult to injury, and Miss Equie’s blood was up. She
promptly purchased a cowhide, and going to Taylor's office demanded admission.
This being denied her, she took her station outside of the office, to which
there was no back egress, and declared her intention of waiting for the parson.
After lingering an hour or two, she became convinced that Taylor did not care to
see her, and she accordingly walked away, apparently abandoning the attack. She
did not go home, however, but took a seat on the porch of a friend’s house, a
few blocks away and kept a sharp eye on the route Taylor would take in going to
his house.
Taylor having sent out scouts, who reported all clear,
started for home but it gone but a short way when Miss Equie, with her rawhide,
appeared on the scene, and the blows rained on his head. After a struggle he
succeeded in grasping her wrists with the exclamation of “Damn you, I'll kill
you.” But he did not kill her, as a crowd which numbered at least 500 gathered
and tore his hands lose, holding him while the rawhide was played most
industriously by the young lady. On being released he ran for the hill,
distancing his tormentors, but was soon overtaken by one of the crowd and
received another benefit. The last scene of him was his fleeing form
disappearing over the bluff, with Miss Equie a good second.
Miss Holcomb and Miss Equie are both cultivated young
ladies, graduates of Wellesley college. They are not only above reproach and
reputation, but are highly esteemed in the community. It is not inexcusable
that being denied what they claim; are honest dues and left without funds so far
from home and with no male relative to attend to Taylor's case, these young
ladies went to this extreme. The general sentiment of the community was clearly
evident in the attitude of the large crowd gathered about the scene, among whom
not one friend to Taylor's was to be found with the exception of his attorney
who was promptly told not to interfere. A warrant for Miss Equie’s arrest was
issued, but the charge was withdrawn, and she was put under bonds to keep the
peace.
The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., July 29, 1893, page 2
The whipping of Rev. O.D. Taylor, by Miss Equia, at The Dalles was a disgraceful affair. According to the published reports the young lady belabored him with a rawhide, while 500 of The Dalles and citizens hooted, and jeered and otherwise expressed their satisfaction at the way the affair was being conducted. It is even asserted that at the times when the young lady needed assistance it was promptly furnished, and of the entire crowd none interfered in his behalf, until the city marshal arrested the lady manager of the affair. It was a disgraceful scene, and one to cause regret. The Dalles is one of the prettiest towns in the state. Its citizens are law-abiding -- peaceable, generous and charitable. Of the entire 500 who witnessed, and enjoyed the castigation of the Rev. real estate shark, it is safe to say that 490 knew the victim, most of them personally. And yet of all this crowd of acquaintances not one deprecated the affair or raised hand or voice in his behalf. The crowd knew Taylor. For this reason we say again it was a disgraceful affair, Taylor being the disgrace, and one to cause regret, Taylor furnishing the regret.