The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-07 00:00:00

POLICE INTELLIGENCE—Jan. 6

MARYLEBONE. EXTRAORDINARY FRACAS. A
stylishly-dressed woman, named Elizabeth Irvine, aged 21,
Elm-villa, Elm Tree-road, St. John's-wood, of no occupa-
tion, was charged with violently assaulting Miss Elizabeth
llyde, and also further charged with breaking the arm of a
Mrs. Mary Wright.
Mr. Lewis, sen., of Ely-place, and Mr. Pain, of Maryle-
bone-road, appeared for the prisoner.
The case seemed to create a good deal of excitement
amongst the denizens of St. John's-wood, by whom the
court was crowded. All witnesses were ordered out of
court. The first witness called was

Elizabeth Hyde, who said,—l reside at 20, Elm Tree-road,
St. John's-wood. This lady (prisoner) came to my gate

last night. My dog, which is harmless, was there. She
came on horseback and beat it. She came in at the hall-
door, and I thought she was a friend of Mr. Jarvis's, next
door. I asked her what she wanted, and she said my dog
had torn her riding habit. She called me all sorts of names.
She was told to go out, and struck me with a stick. She
was perfectly intoxicated. Mr. Jarvis told her to come in
and he would see if he could settle it. My carter was at
the door, and I showed him to the back where the corn-room
was. The coachman had gone for a policeman. She tore
my clothes and beat me unmercifully, and two men who
were with her kicked me. lam bad now. They broke my
sister's arm. She said that I walked the streets with my
sister seven years ago. Two men beat us, and I have wit-
nesses to prove it. She is a very wicked woman, and a
nuisance to the neighbourhood.
Mr. Mansfield—What is the assault complained of ?
Prosecutrix—She struck me with a riding whip, tore my
clothes, and left me almost naked. My clothes were all off
me but my chemise. lam independent.
Cross-examined—l am an independent lady. It is my
own fortune and property. I receive no visitors, only my
friends. The house is my own freehold property. lam
always peaceable and quiet. It is my first appearance in
such a matter as this. I was summoned here the other day
by my coachman. I have never been here but once. I don't
know whether I have been here before. I had a coachman
hero 10 years ago for striking me. I have not been in any
other police-court. I have two dogs. Never had any com-
plaints about them. They are quiet, and do not fly at any
one. She did not complain that her clothes had been torn
and the dog biting her. I mean to say that without any
single word passing she struck me. She was not dragged in
from the road. She came in very violently, without any
cause. I asked why she came in, and she said the dog had
torn her riding habit. I did not see that her riding habit
and her dress near her neck were torn. I did not strike her
and call her a bitch and a prostitute. Prisoner did not call
out murder. I did, as my poor sister is an invalid. Mrs.
Wright is her name. She is a doctor's widow. She is not
my servant. I keep two female servants. I have alcoach-
man as well. My servants did not attack this woman.
She beat me and pulled my hair, and made use of bad lan-
guage. She called me a strumpet without any cause what-
ever. Prisoner left, but shortly afterwards returned habited
in men's clothes. The row lasted about one hour. The
fight was not going on for the whole of that time. When
she came again she did not know the police were there.
She did not say that when the police came she would give
me into custody. I gave her in charge. I never saw her
before. Ido mean to tell his worship that a lady whom I
had never seen before came and assaulted me without any
reason whatever.
Walter Jarvis, a young man, said—l live at 21, Elm-tree-
road. I had come home from business about half-past six
last evening. Whilst in my room I heard the sound of a
whip and a dog barking furiously, also some one screaming.
I went to see what was the matter. I got to Miss Hyde's
gate, where the prisoner was, with her habit torn, and I
asked her what was the matter. She had a whip, and
wanted to see the lady of the house. The bell was rung,
and the coachman came to the door. When Miss Hyde saw
the prisoner she thought it was my brother, and Mrs. Wright
touched her (the prisoner) under the chin, and said, what
a nice lady he made. I told her it was not my brother,
and asked prisoner to go in, thinking I would make it "all
square." Prisoner began to be furious, and a little more
desperate, and put her fist in my face, and used violent
language which I thought her not capable of. She said she
would knock me down, and knock my eye out. The coach-
man came, and I sent for a policeman.
Cross-examined Mrs. Wright thought it was my
brother dressed up, and touched her under the chin
(Laughter.) I dare say he would look well dressed up as
a lady. His age is 17. Mrs. Wright's words were "Frank,
what a nice lady you make." (Laughter.) She did not
offer to kiss him. (Roars of laughter.) I only know Miss
Hyde and Mrs. Wright as neighbours. Igo in there now
and then. Ever since I have known them I have always
found them highly respectable.
Mr. Lewis—Especially as they pat your brother under
the chin.
Cross-examination continued—I did not know what was
going on in the house.. I do not understand what you mean
as to what I do for Miss Hyde. Miss Hyde was very peace-
able. I could not say she was excited. I heard no cries of
" Murder" or bad language from her. Ido not understand
what you mean by her paying me for what I do. I went
for the policeman, and so saw no assault committed. I heard
her complain of the dog tearing her riding habit. She did
not say anything about a bite on the neck. I thought when
she came in she was going to enter upon her complaint.
Wm. Holloway, coachman (who on being sworn insisted
upon kissing the inside of the Testament), stated—l saw
the prisoner come in at the gateway. She rang
the bell
and walked to the front door. I did not know what the
row was about, and walked out of the stable. She would
not go out, and turned round and hit Miss Hyde a slap on
the face. I asked her to go, and saw what occurred. She
said if a policeman came she would go. A sergeant of
police came up. She struck Miss Hyde again.
Cross-examined—l have been her coachman on and off
this time for six weeka, I have-been in Miss Hyde's service
several times. She is a lady, and a lady in title too. Mrs.
Wright is her only sister. She does not act as servant. I
saw that lady (prisoner)
when she first came to the house.
I did not know what took place till I came out of the stables.
I did not hear my mistress's tongue going very loud. She
was frightened. When I came from the stables the two
ladies were there and the young gentleman. Mistress only
wished her to go out. I did not hear her call " Murder."
The call of murder was after I left. Mistress told me she
called murder. Before I went for the police my mistress
was not in a violent temper. When I came back I found
Mrs. Wright had her arm broken.
Mary Ann Loveday deposed—l am a charwoman. The
dogs began to bark, the bell rang, and I went to let them in.
On opening the gate I saw the prisoner, and thought she
and Mr. Jarvis came down. She struck me in the face and
was a man. She began to beat the dogs most unmercifully,
and I said, " You will kill them." She would not desist,
weenrtoussp_etoxatinheinheadl_l.
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Mrs.
heoat
ret
all. I heard her call me names without any rhyme or rea-
fell from her horse. I did not see her fall.
Mr. Lewis—Then how do you know sho fell ?
Witness—She told me so. Her hat was crushed and her
habit torn.
Robert Brookes, carman—l drew up with my van at Miss
Hyde's. There was a row inside the gates between the
footman and two ladies. Prisoner was there. The coach-
man tried to put her out. lie could not succeed and went