The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-20
THE AsIARANTH ASSAULT.

THE TRIAL OF DOUGLAS WALKER FOR As
s,ULTrNo MR.. THOMAS y. CLARK IN THE
BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUsIc-TEsTIMoxY
OF COLONEL JouS ,oAKEY AND MRS. oAKEy
The assault case in which Douglas Walker attempted
to horscwhip Thomas r. Clark, secretary to General
Eckers, on tho stage Of the Brooklyn Academy OF
Music. came up yesterday afternoon IN the rolice
Court OF the brooklyn CITY Hall, before Justice Walsh
There quite a large attendance OF members o; anna
teur theatrical companies the majority Of whom had
como TO sympathize with the plautn. Mr. Thomas T.
Clark Among these Colonel John Oake y and his
charming wife, who appeared voluntarily to testify
against what the Colonel IN his blum, honest style
termed "a dastardly outrage" The plaintiff was rep
resented by District Attorney Smell and Mr. John H.
Bird, and Mr. Pullman appeared for the defendant.
Before commencing business the defendants counsel
applied for adjournment the plea that they
sired to subpoena witnesses that were present
and saw the attack. They gave the names OF the
witnesses Mrs Ssbee, Mrs Phillips and
Mr. Fellows. Mr. Bird objected. saying that
this further attempt OF tho defendants to drag
ladies' before tho public was only IN accordance with
Sir. Walkers general line OF action Mr. Pullman re-
tortcd and then insinuated that he might he abe to
prove through these Mr.. Walker did not
commit the hrs. assault. Judge Walsh finally decided
to hear tho testimony OF Colonel John Oakley and Mrs.
facing police court ana did not wish to give her
repetition Of the nauseating dose.
COLONEL OAkEy RISES EXPLAIN.
Colonel Joun Oakley. ex-coupscl tor the Board OF
foiice Com issioners ana one OIL the best known men
IN Brooklyn, gave his testimony his usual dry,
go'd humorcd style, as iollows:-I never had any
personal acquaintance with either complainant or dc.
iendaat an,ii bat evening they appeared before
the stage Of the Brooklyn Academy OF Music; was
standing IN one Of the wings, the lett hand side OF
tho stage, looking toward The audience. whom tho
curtain down the screen scene OF tho .school
Thomas Il,
wno had been playing tho part OF Joseph Surface,
ran directly IN front of me and then saw Mr Walker
strike HIM twice the hack with a horsewbIp; /
then seized hold OF Mr. Walker by the left arm, but
he struck two more blows and. IN fact. struck lady
who was standing by, with the end OF the lash;
nj tho time oi the assault Walker appeared to DO very
much excited and. frothcd at the mouth; lac
Dir. WaIkcr did not take any part en- the perform
tho playful OF the evening; had been
watching Mr. Clarke for somc i've or ten minutes be-
fore the assault was nads did not hear what passed
between them before tho blows were struck; think
Bsccher MRS. Oakley. Mr. Bambureh, Mr.. Cashier,
Mr.. Bird, the gas man and some few others; Mr.
Clarke must have moved some tour or i've icct Ia the
time that elapsed between the FIRST and second blows;
the blows fell on Carke's back Us he was running
away, and the whole thing was settled iu minute;
did not sec Walker put OIL the stage as at that pacu
lar moment was qucting tho tears OF the ladies'.
Mr. Pullman. cross-examlning tho witness, asked him
IL he ught the accused drunk, md tho
answer, III such had been the case think would
have detected IT," the subjoined question and answer
Q. II you had been drinking yourself would you
have known whether he had been indulsingy A. do
not know; one breath, however, might kill another,
but unfortunately had not been drinking.
WHAT
The next witness, Mira. Fanny W. Oakley. deserves
the credit for the noble w0many spirit which
prompted hcr 10 face the annoyance OF police
SIMPLE orrand OF justice Sne gavo her evidence
IN clear and rather musical voice as f0l0ws:-t
the wife OF the last witness, anu on the evening In
question played tho part Ut Mrs. Henry Dove In tho
comedy of "Marred Life :" was standing near my
husband at the conclusion OF the ''screen and
hearing u looked Up and saw Mr. Walker
rush across tho stage IRON tho right the
lett, holding 10 his hand black horscwhip;
| ] saw him strike several blows ut Mr. Clarke whose
back turned toward him At the time; heard no
words pass between them, and to the best OF my
knowledge tho blows were struck without word or
warning; ono time when Walker struck Il blow ut
Clarke tho end OF tho lash OF the whip touched my
right shoulder; several people thcn rushed up and
secured Walker tho man used the whip rcckessy
that was struck l havc not been subpGnaed as a
witness came " testify OF my own free will.
In sue cross-examinat!on Mrs. Oakley said:-When
| FIRST heard the noise on the stage did not pay
much attention, as thought It was nothing serious
the touch from the whip that received did hurt
me; l appeared with the Amaranth that evening for
the first time In four years, and Mr.. Clarke
before that evening"; the performance given aid
OF Mr.. Leouard ST. George, gentleman worry we'll
known In amateur dramatic circles.
The counsel then consulted with Justice Walsh, and
! II was finally decided TO adjourn the examination
until Wednesday, morning. at ten O'Clock. Sheriff
Dagget furnished $500 bail for Mr.. Walkers appear
ance at the appointed time