For nine months, Helen Graham said, a man repeatedly appeared near her Wilmington, Delaware, home and followed her when she went out on the street. He did not approach her or attempt to start conversations.
According to Graham, he simply watched.
In April 1922, the disturbing pattern finally reached Wilmington Municipal Court, where Edward Cottrell was accused of committing a breach of the peace toward Graham. She told Judge Hastings that Cottrell had stationed himself near her home for long periods of time throughout what she described as “nine solid months.”
She also testified that he followed her on the streets.
Although Graham said Cottrell generally remained silent during these encounters, she described at least one incident that went beyond watching and following. On one occasion, she told the court, he threw iodine on her.
Wilmington, Delaware Courthouse
Cottrell pleaded guilty to the breach of peace charge. Rather than imposing a lengthy jail sentence, Judge Hastings ordered him held under a $300 peace bond, a legal measure intended to ensure that a person kept the peace and refrained from further troublesome behavior.
Man Watched Her 9 Months, She Says
WILMINGTON, Delaware. — Accused by Helen Graham of stationing himself near her home for long periods of time for “nine solid months,” and of following her on the street, Edward Cottrell was held under a $300 peace bond by Judge Hastings in Municipal Court this morning.
The prosecuting witness said that in the close watches he has been keeping on her he never speaks to her.
Once, she also informed the court, he threw iodine on her.
Cottrell pleaded guilty to the charge of breach of the peace toward Miss Graham.
Source: Evening Journal. Wilmington, Del. April 25, 1922.
