The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-16
BLOOD, Woodruff, CHAPLIN.
The Great Scandal at Essex
Market.
Astonishing Revelations by Old Mrs Claain-
Blood Threatened Her Life-The Daugh-
ters Testimony-Hi Denial OF tho
Violation OF Domestic Laws.

The preliminary examination IN the matter OF the
complaint OF Mrs. Annie Claim VS.. Colonel j. H.
BLOOD alias DR.. Harvey, was begun at Essex Market
Police Court yesterday afternoon The notoriety OF
the parties Involved render this exceptional
case, the complainant being the maternal progen
tor and the defendant being the silent or "slcepn.
partner" Of the renowned banking house or
Woodruff, Claim h Co. in Broad street, and
attracted large concourse or spectators to the
otherwise uninvting precincts Of the Essex street
Temple OF Justice. The testimony or the respective
parties to this curious strife was listened to with
eager avidity and each salient point quickly seized
by the sensaton-mongers Mrs. Victoria Woodruff
being IN the conclave for the presidency could
spare time from her greet social and political duties
to mingle In the inglorious struggle between
the iessr lights OF the concern. she was
conspicuous by her absence, as also her
maiden sister, Tennessee Celeste. Both sides were
represented by counsel; but contrary 10 the usual
proceedings no dilatory motions were made nor
any desire evlnced to protracJ the Issue. AS with
the fierce old English Darons VINO figured IN the
''Wars OF the Rosesn 1t seemed 10 be understood
that quarter would not he asked or given. and IN
response to the summons OF the magistrate a pc
culiar old lady, OF determined men and expression
indicative or unrelcnting purpose.
ANNOUNCED HERSELF THE "AGRIEvED PARITY
and being duly sworn, proceeded TO relate the story
OF her wrongs ana domestic trlpulations. TIE AMI
davt OF the lady, uDon which the proceedings were
based, was substantially to the effect that the
defendant had not only, by divers wicked and magic
arts and devices, aienated the affections OF her
charming, gifted and otherwise promising ana
devoted offspring, but had also threatened the life
OF herself and thereby caused her much unneces.
sary dread, anguish OF mind and other discomfort.
This the strong arm OF The law alone could remove
and enable her to resume the tranquility desirable
TO one OF her advanced stage or life. She was
desperately IN earnest, ana counsel on both sides
vanly endeavored to restrict her within the bounds
tile law prescribed Bursting through all barriers
she gave the following as
HER STORY
Judge" she said, "My daughters were good
daughters ana af1cctonae children Till they got III
with this man Blood" giving particular emphasis
to Bloody le has threatened my life several mes,
and one night last November he came into the
house IN Ihrty-elghth street and said he would
not 60 to bed till he had
WASHED MS HANDS N MY BLOOD.
III tell you what tnat man Blood Is. He Is one OF
those who have no bottom In their pockets; you
they never get full up. II my daughters would just
send this man away. as ! always told them, they
own carriages came here because want to get
/ my daughter out OF this mans clutches; ne has
/ taken away NiccYs fiction and Jennie's FICTION
i from poor old mother.
SHELF NE GOD, JUDGE,
/ say here and call Heaven to witness that there
was the worst gang OF free lovers In that house In
Thirty eighth street that ever lived-Stephcn Per-
lanso and Dr. woodruff and lots more OF such
trash"
Counsel for paintin-"Keep quiet. old lady"
Mrs Claim, peiuentiy-"Yes, yes; III keep
quiet: but want to tell the Judge what these peo
/ WAS AFRAID OF MY LIFE
all the time was in the house, 1t nothing but
taking about lunatic asyums; II God had not saved
me Blood would nave taken my life long ago"
the DAuGHIERS STATEMENT.
Mrs. Mary Spar was the next witness. She sub
stantlated her mothers statement, and said that
she remembered the night that Blood was violent
har ma fnArf hat Vet nor al rt4J
take him away by the neck and all night she heard
noisc If they were quarreng IN their rooln.
MR.. BLooD's STATEMENT.
Mr. Blood then gave his evidence lie denied the
statements in too said he never used violence with
his motnerin-law, but that she was very ANNOYING
at times and wanted TO interfere with the business
OF the firm.
did you never make any threat to Mrs.
Nothing, except one night last fail. when she was
very troublesome, SAID II she was not my mother
naw would turn her over my knee and spank
her."
Counsel-"would you really do thatsn
Counsel-"when were you married to Mrs. Wood
hull"
Blood Elm 1885, at Chicago
Counscl-"Were you married before that to any
~
Biood-"Yes, l was married in birmingham,
Mass.n
Counsel-"were you divorced from your FIRST
Counsel-"was Mrs. woodruff divorced when
you married her2n
Bloud-'I don't Know
Counsel-"Were You not afterwards divorced
from Mrs. Woodhulls'
Blood-''Yes; I'm Chicago in 1852
Counsel-"How long were you separated from
herfu
Blood-.'We were never separated; we continued
to live together, and were afterwards remarrledi
Counsel-"Wnen have you seen DR.. Woodruff,
Blood-"I see him every day; we are living in the
same house,
CounseI-"Do you and Mrs. Woodruff and DR..
Woodruff occupy the same roomY
No answer.
Counsel for defendant-"Now, Mr.. Blood please
tell the Court why Dr. Woodruff lives IN the same
house, and who supports hm.n
Bood-'Tne firm of woodruff Clann 4 Co. has
supported the whole Of tnem Mrs. Woodhuls first
CHI Ill is dotic and Dr. Woodruff takes care OF him.
The examination was continued Tor some Time
further
Mrs. Victoria woodruff and Miss Tenne G. Claim
are to be examined to-day.
DECORATION DAY