Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-06-28
Frsghsful Asssuls On q wife.

HER HUSBAND THROWS LIGHTED LAMP
AT HER, WHICH FRACTURES HER SKULL
AND BURNS HER IN A SHOCKING MAN
NER-HER INJURIES PROBABLY FATAL.
About midnight Saturday probably fatal
assault was committed by John Cherry on
ms wife Mary. at his residence, on the corner
laboring man, and has resided at the above
mentioned place with his wife and children
for several years. 1t appears that the hus-
band on Saturday night was intoxicated,
al d during the evening he had two or three
alterations with his wife about family
matters.
THE FRIGHTFUL ASSAULT.
About twelve O'Clock they became in
vOlved in another quarrel, and she states
that be then seized a coal oil lamp and
threw 1t at her. The blow fractured the wO-
mans skull, and the lamp exploding, the
coal oil ran down upon her face, neck, shout
ders and arms, blazing with fire, infiicting
for help, and Mrs. Mary Milligan. who occu-
pied the attic story of the house, extin-
gulshed the flames. DIR. Draper was sum-
moned, and on his arrival pronounced the
wOman's condition exceedingly dangerous
If not fatal, and did all that medical skill
could avail to afford her relief She re-
manned insensible nearly all OF yesterday,
and DR.. Draper deemed her case such a crit
ical one that he would not give his opinion
as to whether the injuries would prove fatal
or not, bat advised that her ante-mOrtem
statement be taken, which was done about
seven O'Clock last evening by Justice Tay-
Tor, in the presence OF Lieutenant Greer, DIR.
draper. ana OtnelS. Inc statement was sub
stantfally as given above. Sergeant Guy
and Officer Draper took charge of the prem
iseS, and the police were notified 10 look out
for Cherry, who had made his escape. Yes
terday morning about o'clock Officers JEFF
fries and Shilling found him coming out OF
Majors alley, on 18th street, and arrested
him. He was taken to the station, and after
sleeping off the effects of the liquor, told his
side OF the story as follows:
CHERRY's IMPROBABLE STATEMENT OF
THE AFFAIR.
He says that himself and wife got to
quarrelling about family matters, and that
she became angry, picked up q poker. aud
hit him on the head. Determined that he
would not be treated in this manner he then
raised his fist and struck her. Although
hitting quite hard, he did not knock her
down. He then picked up the coal oil lamp
and started to bed. AS he was passing up
the stairs the shade fell Off accidentally and
hit her on the head she happening TO stand
underneath. She screamed murder, police,
action so surprised him that thoughtleSsly he
dropped the lamp upon her head, infiicting
the wound she received, and the explosion
following caused the many severe burns
nom which she now suffers. He was salts
lied with the situation of affairs and the way
they occurred, and was perfectly willing TO
bear the consequences of the trouble, what
ever they might be.
The man displayed not the slightest
sorrow at the suffering he has inflicted on
his wife, and appeared totally indifferent a.
TO her death or recovery. He is hard drink
er and has been a frequent inmate of the
station houses, being brought in repeatedly
drunk.