The New York herald., 1876-12-20
A CIRCUS TIGER.

MuRDERoUs ASSAULT BY BRUTAL CIRCUS
RIDER ON HIS wIrE-BRAvs MRS. WHIT
TAKER
Charles Roberts, tho we'll known circus rider until
recently employed with 7. 7. Parnunl's show perpe-
tra,cd yesterday upon his helpless unoGcndng wife
one tho murderous and cowardly assaults re.
corded tho annals of Roberts, who is said by
his acquau TO be dssipatcd and brutal fellow
has long the habit OF lusing his WIFE, and for
the past four months has frequently threatened
TO kill her. The lady, who is declared
by her companions to bc model OF virtue
and amiability. was employed in tho Hippodrome
troupe rider, while husband had charge OF the
snpernumerarics and managed the pageant known rs
"The Congress of Nations" While tho show was cx
hbiting IN a Western town some months ago Nson
the trapezc artist beat OF tho boys who performs
with him IN an unmercful manner. Mrs. Roberts,
womany heart moved for the child and she pro-
tested against his punishment, declaring that was
shameful TO treat him SO cruelty Nison, in
rage complained to Roberts about his wfe's
smeddling" Tho manly husband at once applied
an epithet TO tho lady. who at the flying
around the ring in cloud OF muslin and tnscl, the
envy OF half the country iasses IN the tent and swore
that he would .'hx' her. Mrs. White, costumcr OF
the show, heard the threat OF the brutal husband,
and rushing to where The unsuspectng wife about
to descend IRON her horse at the close of the act
warned her to fly TO her dressing room at ior
safety. The two women entered the in question
together, and in instant Mrs. Roberts found her
throat in the deadly clutch OF her husbands fingers
and his voice was hssing curses into her cars Alter
ieariuIly abusing the woman he was torn of by the
tendants, who were attracted by her cries.
NOT THAT KIND OF ANIMAL.
The affair was reported TO Mr.. Barnum and he In.
stantly dismissed Roberts, declaring that no such
beast was 10 be included in his mcnagcric Nothing
% O he md
wife until about month ago, when, one day in the
Hppodromc Mrs Roberts remarked to Mrs. White
that she felt weak aud that she had
for twcnty-iour hours. Being questioned about the
matter, sho stated that she and her husband were in
pinchcd circumstances. having nothing but her salary
to depend upon for support Mrs. White at once in
vted her 10 come to her mouse and take dinner with
..anmal mani who has tho superintendent OF tho
animals attached to Mr.. Barnum's show Mrs. Roberts
accepted the invitation and was soon seated the
table with her irends who board, when in town. with
Pop" Whitaker and his vile, at No $50 Fourth ave.
nue.. She had been there but lew minutes when
Roberts entered and angry demanded TO know of the
Whites why they were harboring his wiiey They at
tempted to pacty him and invited him take dinner
with them but he only became more insulting ana
ended by making attack upon tho unhappy woman
who was married to him. He was finally elected from
the room, breathing vengeance
A BRUTAL ASSAULT.
Mrs. Roberts has been employed since the season
closed in assisting Mrs White in preparing costumes
Tor the coming summers exhbitioss, anu yesterday
morning. about half-past eight O'clock she arrived at
the house already mentioned TO begin her days
from the Putnam House with claw hammer which he
borrowed from the clerk, under the prctext that no
wanted 10 drive some nails, and hid himself III the
area OF the house in which his wife was employed
where he awaited hcr arrival When the unlo tunate
woman attempted to descend the basement steps the
rufan struck her terrible blow with the hammer and
she rolled like log down the steps. and striking
agans the basement door, burst IL OPEN Hearing the
crash, Mrs Whitaker rusned out in time 10 see
Roberts running down the steps toward tho senscess
woman with the murdcrous hammer upiitcd TO strike
another Llow. With the quick instinct Of true wo
olH ndV hofr
murderer and the PROSTATE form OF his wife, that
the blow instead OF striking the latter in The head fell
upon her body Mrs. Whttacker assisted the dcd
woman TO rise, anu holding back her husband, gave
her time to totior into the basement Roberts aimed
reach, but 1t was warded of by the ouistretchcd
OF Mrs Whitaker, which was torn open from elbow
wrist by the sharp claws of the hammer.
Mrs. Roberts gained tie dining and sought
refuge behind the table Ifcr husband, with murder
still at his neart, attempted to reach her but was
grasped by the intrepid Mrs Whitaker who struggled
with him and was kicked and beaten that she has
since been confined TO her bed While dong ali IN her
power hold back the rulian from his bleeding and
reclng victim she cried continually for help strange
10 say seems to have heard her, although the
door had been left open upon the street, and num-
bcr OF students who board in the house were
then in their rooms. Releasing himself from
The grasp of Mrs. Whitaker, Roberts chased his
wife around the room Terror lent her strength not
wthslanding her wounds, and sho whrlcd around
tables and chairs with brcathess speed, while her hus
band followed Kissing mprecations and stumbling
tho furniture which Mrs Whitaker unable to do
anything else, was continually throwing IN his way.
Al last the hunted woman saw chance TO escape TO
the door, and passing through II, when the cnd.
seeing her about 10 get away threw the
hammer and struck her the back OF the head,
fcln- her prone TO the aoor Probably thinking
he had finished his wife, Roberts then picked up the
hammer and attacked Mrs. Whitaker. That dauntlcss
woman fought bravely, and alter receiving hard
knocks, the marks OF which will serve as mementoes
OF the struggle Tor many day, she succeeded in
cutching her assaant by the throat and choked him
until tho hammer fell IRON his grasp. Then she
picked IL up, and throacnng TO crush his skull with
IL, IN turn. drove him OIL When ne fairly out
OF sight, womanlike, she tainted, and carried to
bed by inmates Of the house, whom her cries had at
last attracted to the SPOT
Tho wounded wife was at once conveyed TO hcr home
No rs Third avenue, where she lies In
cal condition.
on leaving the house Roberts at once proceeded to
the place OF business Of Mr.. Mclean, tho canvass
MANI OF Mr.. Barnum's establishment and telling MIN
that he had just Obtained employrcns q railroad
conductor succeeded In borrowing his watch or that
day only" Then ne disappeared and the police
put upon his track