National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-01-17
LIFE LII 3 !. IN WA WASHINGTON 81 ING TON
SKETCHES ABOUT THE CITY BY THE
REPUBLICANS REPORTERS.
On the Rampage.

On the Rampage.
AN Ex4ERY OFFICER ATTEMPTS TO BuLLpoZE A
SECRET SERVICE oFFICIALIN THE LOBBY OF THE
EBBITr HoUsE-AN EXCITING ALTERATION,
AND WHAT BROUGHT 1T 4BoUTNA MULE CLAIM
Attic BOTTOM OF THE AFFAIh ... .
The lobby of the Ebbitt house, about o'clock
last evening, was the scene Of an exciting per.
soDal encounter, which terminated, however,
without bloodshed. The parties in the alterca-
tion were Colonel Craig, an e1-United States
army officer, and Nj. z. W. Maxwell, until re-
GENTLY Secret Service detective. Maxwell was
seated with friend upon one of the forms in the
lobby, when Craig, accompanied by gentleman
named Irving, came in and passed in front of him
withou. saying anything or making denonstra-
tion Of any kind. Shortly after, while Maxwell
was stfll engaged in converting with his friend,
Craig came and stood directly IN front Of him, and
remarked in an audible tone, "Do you see that
---?7 Maxwell at ence resented the
remark, and told Craig that he would permit no
man to apply such an offensive epithet 10 him,
whereupon Craig dealt him q blow In the face,
which overture was Immediately followed up BY
Maxwell striking Craig three o. four times in
rapid succession. A number OF Craig's- friends
iuterfered at this Juncture and succeeded in draw
ing of the enraged Maxwell, who shortly after
ward left the hotel. The origin Of the trouble
was . mystery to all the loungers, who saw noths
ing TO warrant such bellicose proceedings on the
part Of two men who seemed to have had no
words together, but it is susceptible of explana-
tiop. Colonel Craig is now in this city
AWAITING A TRIAL
by the Criminal Court Of the District for defraud
ing the Government out OF several thousand dol
lars through the instrumentality Of mule claim.
He was indicted by the grand jury several months
ago for this onense, and has been under heavy
bonds for his appearance since. 1t is to Maxwell
more than any other person that the Colonel
ewes his present unpleasant prcdicament, as that
official, in his capacity of detective, was conl-
PEELED to put up job which placed him in q very
unenvfable light 1t was alleged that in order to
get his claim through the Treasury Colonel Craig
Tesorted to the rather questionable plan Of manu-
featuring afidavits To assist him in this de-
lectable occupation the Colonel secured the ser
vice. OF one Captain Walling for consideration.
Some time after the affidavit was made, and after
the Colonel had secured large proportion of his
claim, the Captain, pinched, by poverty, was COM
PEELED to draw upon Craig for more money, which
the latter nc elected to furnish. Then, in it Of
rage against Craig, Wallirg betrayed the plot
TO q secret service officer who was acting in the
role Of an attorney. After unboson!ng himself
thus far, Walling was induced to go still further,
and last year when the matter cameup
BEFORE TIE POLICE COURT
in this District he testified positively that the
contents of the affidavit were false, and that he
had Geen instigated to make it by Col. Craig.
The Colonel was not aware that Walling had
gone back him until the third day of the trial,
ami he was the most aStOnished man imaginable
when lie found the District Attorney calling
Walling as a witness for the prosecution. Craig
had been completely deceived by Maxwell, who
was introduced to him as a Texas friend of Wal
ling's, and he, on one or two occasions. fearing
that Walling might lose backbone, had offered
money to Maxwell for the two to leave the city
together. The Colonel rightly attributed to
Maxwell portion of the blame for his present
az, but he was hardly justified in bouncing upon
him in the manner he did. The trial of Craig
will eSme M during the present term Of ..e eourt