The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-21
WIDOW DALTON'S CASTLE.

The difnculty IN raising tho necessary funds 10 not
she only impeachment which the seventh regiment has
experienced carrying out the project OF greetings
new armory. II appears that ON the ground ON which
she officers Of the regiment have set their hearts az
the site ON when the building Of their cherished hopes
should be erected has hitherto dwelt, In u modest
frame building the Widow Dalton On the 18th OF June
last William Arnett q contractor In connec-
ton with the erection of the new armory.
Colonel Clark, the commander of the Sew
snth regiment and several men who seemed TO DO
assistants the contractor, appeared at the Widows
dwelling The widow presented herself at the front
door, while inside was her grandchild but eighteen
months old. without as much as saying "By your
leave" tho widow says without having served her
process aud without hbtng authority for his
act Arnett assaed her house with crowbar. He
OF the roo and brought her roof tree crashing
upon the only mirror before which she had been
customed arrange the huted borders Of her cap
fore going to early mas oil Sunday morning, demol-
ished her china, ruined her carpet, broke down her
bed. and wounded her grandchd. Al this stage of al
lars, having paid ground rent 10 the city, and seeing
lawful authority to change her right to Possession,
the widow thought II about time 10 exercise her
ancient common law right 20 defend her CASTLE
Rushing in amid the fast falling ruins and rescung her
bleeding graudchd thercfr0m, and depositing II In
place Of safety, she turned and faced the aggressive
contractor. Selling stone she hurled e at hin and
nude bulls eye on his chest He then ceased his
assaults on the house and directed them against
her, at the same time calling upon several
counter these seemed not to realize The necessity OF
reuforcements Tor Arnett just them and pathzng
somewhat. II may be, with the plucKy widow, failed
to obey orders Single handed and alone tho widow
and the contractor continued the fight until the latter,
ngain feeling the need OF reiniorcements, appealed
personally to one Peer Kelly 10 como TO his aid But
Peter, no doubt thinking that Two against QUO
woman would be no fair light, also declined to inter-
fcre All this time Colonel Clark stood by OBJ
server Of the scene The widow curing an interval
between rounds, appealed TO Colonel Clark and
asked If he authorized tho acts OF tho con-
nd NTH
ing 70 do with 1t, that Arnett was
acsing on HIS own responsibility "rheu," said
she, 'you ought to be ashamed stand by and sec
Union soldier who fell fighting the slopes OF
Fredericksburg' The Cooneps only roply was
1--WE can't help It; we must have the place" That
night, amid torrents OF rain, the widow Dalton iourd
herself homeless the result Of which the sick ness
OF herself and grandchild such Is substantially the
Widows story, told by her in her complaint In
attorney Mr.. William Everett to recover S. 900 dam
ages She also says in her complaint that while Ar
battering down the walls OF her castle, and
before she fired shot in It's dciente, she asked MIN II
he mad any authority for his act and his reply
shat he had none; that he was doing It
on his responsibility. Upon application
OF the WIDOWS attorney Judge Van Brunt, OF
the Supreme Court, granted ex parte order
OF ares. against the defendant Arnett. under which
he held bail IN the civil action Arnett allowed
the statutory time TO expire without putting IN an
answer, anu fcw days since pIantn's attorney gave
notice to bring the case before sherhs jury Tor the
purpose Of assessing damages in default OF answer
In anticipation OF the matter coming In That FORM
however, MI S. Burdctt Hyatt, attorney Tor the de-
fendant, obtained extension OF the time to
on condition Of paying to plaintiffs attorney the
accrued costs up 10 this time Thus Is apparent the
contractor means TO give battle TO tho widow In the
courts equally rs earliest as that IN which her roof
treasures the fire sxtn suished her humble
hearth.