Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-30
The F.F.y. Cowhidiny Affair

THE TRIAL IN THE POLICE COURT TO-DAY.
In the Police Court this morning. lorenzo
Thomas, IT., wss charged with assault and bat
rery on Charles b. Vickery. This was the
sequel to to the cowhiding affair which occurred
Yesterday in the Ebbit. House, as stat in TAG
STAR of last evening. Mr.. Thomas is a son of
Gtreral Lorenzo Thome }, ard Mr.. Vickery WIS
until recently clerk in the Office OF the Con-
uOller CO tie Currency. Quite a crowd ves
present in the Police Court this morning to
liz ten 10 the bearing of the clse, among them
the venerable General Lorenzo Thomas, father
Of defendant, and several cociety men. Mr.
Thomas WIS accompanied by his counsel, Mr..
BainbIidse Webb, and when srraigned pleaded
not guilty. Mr.. Vickery appeared with scar on
the right cheek, and on being sworn testified
that he met Mr.. THONGS in the Ebbitt House
yesterday. Mr.. Th6mls asked him if he had
received a letter lfUm hin. He replied that ne
had, when defendant asked MIN wh he had not
answered IL, and ct once drew a cowhiie and
struck bim several blows. He had previously
used threats that If he lwitness) did not leave
the city he would find himself in a blf
He had given Mr.. Thomas TO cause for sas
assault. Mr.. Webb 9sked witness to give tn
tween them, ard explained to the court that
witre.s had trsduced the character of one of
Mr. Thomas family. The court admitted the
question in order 10 show an aggravatiop on the
part of plaintiff in the mitigation Of fine or
damages. Witness was then asked If he knew
the ne OF Mr.. Thomas, aud admitted that he
did, bat had never attacked her character to
his knowledge, as had been charged 70 him by
defendant; ii be bad he had forgotten 1t. For
defence, Mr.. Colcsbery tesitf d that he had
heard Mr.. Vickery traduce the character
of his (Mr. ThomasO wife, and wit
ness had told Mr.. Thomas what he had said.
Mr.. Webb here rested his csse, adding that he
did not propose to make any remsrks, and would
content himself by merely saying that Mr..
Thomas would have been rccreant to his o n
manhood had he not resented the irsutt given
his wife And family; There is not any one who
Is q man who would not have done what be hp
| done. As his counsel, he foretore to introduce
furthe witnesses, thus giving pub'ici;S to Of
fensive and scandslous language used by COM
plsinant against this gentlemans wife ard
family, and asked dismissal for his client. The
the assault being committed, but complainant
had not brought any witnesses to disprovs the
scandalous remar Ks Imputed to him, and which
were specifically testified to by witnesses for de-
fence, but had contented hims elf with simple
denial. Unfortunately the Law does not protect
or character and scandal monsers, consequent
~ redress such rs has here been show n 10 some
| times resorted TO. Under the peculiar circum-
sauces OF the case the law cannot be made use
S 70 sn,eid one from consequences which might
| De expected to follow. A technical aSsault had
been committed, for which defendant must p.v
nne OF II and costs. Mr.. Thomas was co n
graduated by his friends as he LETT the court.
TIE WASHINGTON LADIES, CRurrxx,.,
MovsAsST;LA meeting Of women fAvoring
| OF yesterday At Wormley's, Mrs. Gen. Emerv
| in the chair. Mrs. Gillespie rehearsed tna oh
| jects OF the meeting, and read several letter
from prominent ladies In the states. On motion
Of Mrs. Bien Bradbury, OF Maine, . vote OF
unremitting endesvors in insuguratine the
present movement In this District. A motion
Was adopted that all 70 10 work collecting funds
| and report progress ct the next meeting.