The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-10

CURIOUS RESELATIcNs--AILEGEp ATTEMPT 70 Ar
pCcr IYBEcILE GfaL--FiGHT BETWEEN TIE
GiHL's FATHER AND THE PATTY SEEKING TIE
GIEL-scir CT THE LATTER For ASSAULT AND
BATTfHI- THfgrl THOUSAND DoLLA.s DAMAGES
cLAIAhD-TEsTiAoNY IL THE CASE, Erc.
ilsarsrEAD BRANCH Nov. s, 1855
Before Judge S u. Strong.
This very curious first brought to the cogni'
nce OF court IN February last Astoria, Long Island
Sir l.. Wells, the plaintiff was az time a United
States Consul South American port The reason
OF his leaving there is to be matter Of evidence For
several years past lie has been living in Astoria; he there
became acquainted with the defendants, Mr.. Jacob ~
Coope and daughter, Miss Louisa Coope Mr. Coope re-
ported to be wealthy Besides the daughter living with
him. he has another mental imbecile who is always kept
guarded and cared for in institution proper for
such unfortunately. II is alleged that the plain
tiff made matrimonial overtures TO Mr. Coope's
daughter at Astoria, but failing in his suit he went
10 Pennsylvania, and getting access 10 the unfor
tunate imbeoiie there, made overtures matrimonial or
otherwise, to her. Tho defendant finding out immed
a,cy the prorrictors Of tho institution to prevent
all communication between his daughter ana tho plaintiff.
Presents and letter from Mr. Wells TO the imbecile
were intercepted and sent to the father of the latter
Shortly AFTER Mr. Coope and his daughter Louisa met Mr.
VOLS, words passed between them regard to the i'm
beetle girl, and finally the old got into regular
Tight the daughter aiding her father in tho struggle.
Tho present suit or assault and battery for $50 900,
brought BY MIR. Wells against Sir Goore and daughter 1t
is alleged by party tina. the plaintiffs whole
has been merely effort 10 obtain money from Mr. Coope
Various other allegations arc made on either part 1t
said the Developments Of tho will be very curious
The defendants intend 70 nipeach the testimony of Mr..
wells, and Mr.. Wells is rclorted proposes mpeach
the evidence of the rciendsnts. The TO have
been commenced at Hampstead Branch, at = p NJ on
Monday, but It was nearly r. NJ. before Judge 8. H.
Strong took his seat
jury having been sworn in the counsel for the plain
tia opened the He stated that the plaintiff had been
In in lint
superseded in 1919 hereaboats; he returned to
this country in 1853, past the meridian Of lfc having
client peculiarly untitled 10 hive tic single blossedness:
he required be the partner of his Joys and
sorrows The WEAKNESS of his life hung heavily upon
hm--solude was at with his natural feelings and
affections SO from time 10 time he went forth to seek
ciey and enjoyment was very landable, the counsel
thought thai his client should have displayed affection
for females and desired 70 again enjoy the felicity OF
married life Old persons, he thought showed their de-
sire to get married prominently before the pubic, while
young sought TO eude the discovery Of their mari-
moniai aspirations He considered this display in his
client weakness ana was willing that the Jury should
know IT, After residing in Astoria with niece for
q year. the plaintiff became acquainted in the family
OF tho defendant the former visited the house of the lat
daughter, Miss louisa Cccre the The visits
were made in 1865, SO and 81 During said visits the
terms of the beauty of his absent daughter Che occo)
The plaintiff, owing 10 bis peculiar pred.s position, felt
greatly desirous OF seeing this young LADY, so he visited
the institution where she kept and got hor
He felt strongly attached 10 her had but a short
interview with her. declared his affection her. and she
expressed similar affection for him Had his clsnt been
longer in the presence OF the girl the counsel thought the
plaintiff would have discovered the mental imbecilty of
the GIRL which rendered impossible tina, she could ever
become his wife She hid been taught 10 read and write,
and knew something OF French.
Tho Court hero wanted know what this history had
20 do with the case OF assault and battery?
The counsel for the defendants asked 10 let the opposing
counsel 70 just he MAS because opened npor
tnt part Of the case; so the counsel was permitted TO
go on.
The plaintiffs counsel, continuing said his client was
entrusted with letter ny the young lady in Pennsyvd
MA 10 deliver to her iaihsr the defendant, which he in
tended 10 DO on his arrival here. The plaintiff Outlined
permission from the young Indy and her nsrnrtress 10
send present TO the young lady shortly after the plain
tin returned to Philadelphia aud found the present bad
not been given TO the young lady, but had been returned
to the def ndant hc also found that the father had writ
ten, caused 10 DO written, such letters prevented
him (Mr. Wcls) from obtaining access 10 the imbecilc
The defendant, prior 10 the 18th Of February, in
Astoria making inquiries for tho plaintiff The counsel
believed the defendant had acquired very large fortune
and was going on to speak Of his character but WAS
stopped By the Court rs that could rot be into
less the defcn iant opened tho door.
late on tho afternoon o. the 18th Of February,
tnued the plaintiffs COUNSEL the deiendsn's, IA their cur
rage met his ellen, IN the street some loud hnguage en-
sued on the part Of the principal defendant The painn
asked them TO 10 his house and 40, TALL OF the matter
in the street They did so Tho counsel here read the
statement &C the plaintiffs Ia the difficulty t'at tcn
cnsued, and which has already been Published IN tho
HypNp n stated that Iul.a Cope threw a the plain
tin The box which tho latter lad the imbcc,c
Philadelphia and then that Wells ordered Louisa ont OF
the room, whcreupon Mr.. coopc drew revolver upon
The room; the being laid aside, Wells e'i down
BY tripping himself In the carpet, and when down was
beaten by tie defendants, &c, Sc
The first witness for tie prosecution was then called
TESTIMONY spsoSp MILLS.
live In Astoria; have known Mr. Coofc and daughter
for the past seventeen years nave known MT Wcis TWEEN
" years, more less. ] saw Mr. Ccope on Mon
day, the 18th Of February; nc called at my
etore and inquired Il had Mr.. Wells Informed him
Mr. Wells had gone TO New Jersey; he inquired partica
lariy where Mr. Wells had gone aud when he would re-
turn, adding that he must see him. Tor Mes had been
st. 1xua al t.ul ted
and seemed angry; appraised Mr. Wells OF the matter
next Sir. coops and daughter Thursday the 18th
minutes after tho defendants lcf my Mr. Wells
running ia with blood from head foot.
ss boots s,.rps% the do"r ,n r, ae's EN-
Louisa halted = moment; Mr.. Wells said, Louisa, sec
what your father has DONE or something 70 that eject
shc sad she "was glai Of . and would not care nor "a
thcr had killed him. abe quite excited, and sad,
1--WE will you will try TO abduct young Lady from
. convent again. TING speaking Mr. Wells, and Of
him tried 10 separate them they were both terribly
excited; don't remember Wells answer u he made any
Mr. Wells seemed weak; the defendants went towards
their home; ! sent for ir. Chamberlain to attend the
pautt afro called N barber u WIS hsf an hour be-
fore The phy stefan came.
Mr. Wells has taken his meals With rs NJ the time since
residing IN Astoria he lived in little cottage alone am
also the bail Of Mr. Wells IN the acoa Brought against
him by louisa Coore ON merchant; Mr.. toore has
been in the habit of trading with ne; Mr. Wells arrived
my store after the difficulty, about ono minute before
the defendants; think Mr.. Wells spoke rss tic plain
tins coming M: he used opprobons language 60
Miss Ccotc saving "you Little strunpc,;r she replied
I make You nay for that he said "IIl get of
your fathers big houses ani lots Brooklyn Tor this
il will take some Of them Tor IT, when Miss louisa spoke
abou, Wells abiucting young ady from convent, she
referred 20 her twin sister N0 \ IN imocciC; whoa ir.
Wells was going ~ the Store the 15 cf February
he came % me. and putting his head down close TO nine,
sad wclis has been W the convent. been ra ug the
acv there ard him about Il and nust have =
stopyc6,' think Mr.. Wells said something about a
knife and about Mr.. Cccres cutting him the 1stl
OF February Mr.. Coopc said something about his (Wcis)
drawing q gun on hiA, there was quito crowd
gathered round before Mr. Ccope and daughter left; Mr.
Coopcs horse hcheG IN front Of my door, Mr. Wells
went 10 Bis house, AMI ] followed Inn there, could
not see him all tho way there.
TESTIMONY william CtANHERrNx.
am prac,icng phyician and surgeon IN Astoria: was
called In February last " attend Mr Wells, found him
sitting In his ycry mich ds1gurcd by blood,
which had dried upon hs face and body AMI by that
which stu howing and by several cuts AMI contu-
sions upon his bead and face arst noticed wound ON
the side and back ~ ue head, think, about inch In
leagth the cmnencc a the parotal bone exam.
iucd aud found that Penetrated through the scalp the
skull passed prcbc into tho cut, and found rvughncss
on the bone o the skull sensible 10 the touch Of The probe