The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-23
Tho i" "SlngulAr Anrax,, at Astor,n.


The case Of Mr.. Lemuel Wells and Mr. Jacob VI. Coope
came up yesterday morning before Justice Morris in the
Astoria Court House, The charge of assault and battery
was made by Mr. Wells against Mr. Coope and his daugh
ter which charge tho attcr met by counter charge Of
the character against the former Mr.. Parsons ap
peoved for Mr. Coope and daughter, and Mr. Upton for
MIR. Wells. Tho separate examination OF hs clients was
demanded by Mr.. Parsons and opposed by Mr. Upton,
who insisted tba. tboy joint partners in the comms-
sion Of the same offence.
Mr. Upton insisted that as the witnesses present
the examination should proceed and that the parties be
committed or discharged forthwith AZ Mr.. Parsons,
however, would not withdraw his objections the case
will come up this morning before the County Judge ut
Hempscad who will decide upon the merits Of the point
in controversy.
The OF the which published IN yes.er
days HERALD, and which having been obtained from hear
say incorrect in particulars created unusual
degree Of interest in the legal proceedings Tho court
house was crowded. and Broadway, rs the street
| on which il s erected is called, had
many persons in at one time The parties in the
were may be supposed, objects Of the most intense
curiosity. Mr. Coope Ia respectable and very mild look
ing old between SIXTY and ssveny years o,
twenty three years Of ago. OF prepossessng appearance
and retiring and modest demeanor. There is nothing In
her expression indicative Of the character which the part
she stated TO have played in tho assault would lead
person to expect She bears, however, the unmst,ke
n
assailant sho was certainly one Of the assaulted party
bee two sides TO the story however present the
S ulars as they have been obtained from the most re-
quainea with them leaving the public TO judge ef the
merits oi the whole affair
l@ssEST doF THE AFreAY AS OBTAINED FROM THE
FRIENrs OF M,r nOOPE
Mr Coope IL tho fsher OF louisa and Jane Coo2e,
who are twin sisters of he age D. oun has resided
with her father all her e and gAG BESIDES with him;
while Jane has from her birth of not i'm
bece mind, without sufficient understanding To deal with
ordinary transactions Of le and has been the subject Of
extraordinary and socude Soon after che arrived
the age Of ten years became apparent from her eX
treme mpulsveness, e1ctaby and reckessncss oil tenn
permanent and want OF self control that she must be
vded for in different from the rest Of the family
After much and soictous inquiry, and careful nvesga
on decided TO try the stcusion and attentive care
of school connected with of the converts Of this
coutnry course which was advised oy physicians aud
and friends. Az her mother soon after died this
adopted and proved to be wise in the
promotion Of her physical and mental welfare and bapp
/ ness. She became, ii s said, much attached 10 her
teachers and new home, and left reluctantly to make
her occasional visits 10 her fathers family She has
tinued happy aud conteutcd ia the school and board
OF in the Convent the Sacred Heart, Philadelphia
for some eight ten years pas but has been re
strained OF her liberty than tho other scholars and
has no. been for noyiciac Her care and ui
ton bsve been attended with great 10 her atber
which has always been freely furnished 20 the extent OF
procuring every reasonable want and luxury Mr. Wells,
who has resided Astoria for years and who
OF hfty hvo years ana upwards, intro
duced to Mr.. Coope respectable citizen by gentle
aintancc and atterng attentions Mr. Coope fani
y Mr. Wells, about the oath of January last requested
Of Mr. CoCpe TO give him letter Of Introduction " his
peremptorly and cmphaticay declined, aud repeated
that Jane was Of nfrm mind, was Incompetent TO take
care OF herself would not be permitted TO receive
| any calls from strangers, aud that be would
| not any account permit Mr.. Wells 10 cali her.
To this Mr. Wells replied that he could see her without
such Introduction, and would mako the atemptthat no
never failed in his undertakings. @r. Coope, however,
knowing the regulations of the institution, paid little a..
| "A In.
appears called an said he bad Jane for feS
ments, and presented a letter from her to him. Mr.
Coope then oenoupIed the conduct o. Mr.. Wells ia
calling unWincpled aad designing, aud assured hin
that would be sopnod Sir Coopo further caused lot
ter 20 be written to the Lady superior stating tue facts
and hs disapprovat Of Tie visit Of sir Wells aud the
statement he bad made u,e d TO see her, and requested
that future calls should he received Mr. Wells, hs
visit, told Jane he 5nold come again ON the ITO Of
February and meantime seGa her elegant lie
! value, and with IL n letter 20 Jane, in which
he spoke OF having delivered her letter to her father
Of the great Kindness with whicn he aud II had been
ceived, an how pleased her father with all aud
with his presonung the gift The Lady superior beBg
advised by the letter from Mr. Ccorc, exsmined the ls
ter and box according 70 the rules Of the school, aud
turned them 10 Mr. COole Wells, however went again.
appointed, the lIth or February bu, reiu'ei
admitance when he stated that Jane his potrothsd
having engaged herself TO him during their first
tcrview and he claimed her such. Her father he s
alleged 10 have said had no right - restrain her nor the
teachers mstron her temporary guardians appoint
ed by hm aud he would procure her release way
from their custody care The Lady superior, alarmed
by his threats and conduo, for the safety Of the sr
Mr. Coopo, stating much, and after detailing the facts
of the first call OF Mr. Wells, and how ho succeeded in
gaining access to Jane, by saying that he
| an old friend OF the family, and had called at her
fathers particular request, and then only for few
mens stated that they mus, dismiss Jane and return her
her friends which they would do day named She
Afterwards returned 70 the O her friends when
she related in perfcc, chdlike simplicity all she could
seem 20 remember Of the interview, saying that he
peasca her by his feneness aD comriimeas, eod pro
fuse promises of greai magncence she would ,nseu
marry him. When the true facts Of the told
her, she expressed with the eXclbc and simple
terror her dislike TO him, saying she never wished
20 zee hlm again, and begging not - be taken
| 10 Ter ia,her's house for fear Of meeting him
Mr. Wells, after the loth, in which he learned
DC course taken with his frt and iet,s, sen,
letter TO Mr. Coopc demanding that they be returned
be delivered ~ hu saying that he shoud return
hem to Jane and telling Mr. Coopc for the first time that
he had engaged himself 10 Jane Ia the Interview he had
and apooszDg for not telling II 10 him when he him
his return from the first visit Mr. Coope the is
inst and day after the recep. OF the letter having
occasion to visit the village OF Astoria to make
purchases set out for that purpose In company with hr
daughter iousa IN oarriase While passing through the
streets o the village they Mr. Wells and stopped their
carriage Mr. Coope hailed him and stated that he wished
70 deliver the box 10 him. Mr.. Wells however. declined
10 receive then and requested Mr. Coopc 20 call GA him
his house in sbou, half hour. Mr.. CooTe
cordingly went there with hs daughter Louisa. On
entering the house Mr.. Wells closed and lock-
ed Tho door behind them put the key 10 his pocket,
and commenced s oace the use OF violent and
reference his plans she replied Indignantly and cast
hi- box towards al him. wien h. said that he struck
her violently in her face with his hand several times. Mr.
Coope then stepped forward 20 protect his daughter.
when Mr. Wells Il IA alleged, seized weapon similar
sung shot. aud struck Mr. Cope violent blow hrs
heat which Knocked him senseiess ~ The ioor. lie
repeat the blow whom Miss Opo restrained him
tor the moment by sczBg him by ;he hair Mr. Coope
uicn rallied aud Mr. Wells was about 10 assault hin
sgan when Mr. Ccope In sell defence struck him several
blows with h fists in the face aud head. Mr. Wells then
seized gun winch he had N ths rcS9 and aimed it a,
Coope and sad, Dn you, will blow your brains outs
when Ccope seized IT, and after a struggle wrenchoiH il
from hun. Mr. Wells then unlocked the dsof and ra sed
query The subsequent proceedings are already stated
sTDk.
Mr.. fenuel Wells, by whom the first complaint was
made retired merchant and Is said 10 be wealthy
He occupied the post Of United Consul at st. Ca,hc
rnes Brazil, for period OF twenty years Abou,
our years since he returned, since which time he has
been living the income Of his property He resides At
present where he has lived the greater part OF
the time since hts return from Brazil. Mr. Wells il ap