The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-05
MRS wALCOTrs THREAT TO sHOoE
Mr.. BeIden's story ms Told Yesterday ne
fore JmstIoe nlnbx.

When the case of Mrs. Eta Walcott.
charged with threatening to shoot Mr.. William
Bclden. was called yesterday before Justice
Bixby. the complainant in a low voice. made to
the Justice statements, which, rs spoken. were
put in the form Of an AFFIDAVIT 1t then APP
pcarod that the charge at first made. that
of attempting to shoot Mr.. Bcldcn. jay
Gould's partner. had been abandoned and a
now ono was substituted that she had threat
ened to shoot him. The object Of the change be-
came apparent when Justice Bxby proceeded
to dispose Of the case in accordance with what
he conceived to be the strict construction Of the
Revised Statutes. Cobys Criminal Practice"
defines as tho operation Of that section: There
IL no examination or trial Of tho party arrested
upon the return of the warrant. and he Is not
permitted to be heard. either personally or by
counsel nj this stage OF the proceedings nc
must either enter into rccngnlMnre whnn ne
will be- discharged. or in default thereof IT he
comes the duty Of the Justice to commit him"
Tho attorney for Mrs. Wacott protested earn-
cstly against this expeditions railronding Of his
client into prison merely upon the unsupported
and uncxnmined avermcnis of the complain
ant. He demanded that she hc confronted with
her accuser. and be accorded the right TO cross
Justice Bixby admitted the first but refused
the second.
Mr. Belden stood before the Judge i'm silence
and not CHANGING ut the fair prisoncr-a tall
weN-formed. and richly dressed woman.
ney for the defendant Justice BiNhy cpmpla-
Gently endorsed upon the papers IN the cusc his
positive refusal 10 permit OF any rross-exam.
inatOn. and also the counsefs protest against
the proceedings. During all the time that her
counsel argued against the law NJ unjust.
senseless. and in violation OF established prin-
clples OF common law. by its refusing OF tho
nlalnest rights tothe accused woman. Mr.. Bel.
den stood in silence. with downcnst eyes. md
his counsel stationed at his elbow. was equally
silent. At length Justice BiXby fixed the
womun's bail ut VI 900 for her appearance to
answer at the Court Of General Sessions. In
default Of that amount OF security she was re-
committed to prison.
The woman's version Of the affair Is that for n
long time she had sustained the most intimate
relations with Mr.. Bcldcn. such intimacy having
been begun prior to the death OF her husband.
who was u member OF the firm Of Robbins Wal
colt. dealers in Yankee notions. several years
ago. After MIR. Walcott died. and the death OF
MIR. Bcldens wife left him free TO- marry. he
failed to keep his promise. long before made.
that in such event he would make Mrs. NHlcptt
his wife. The excuse WIS that his partner. Jay
Gould. would not approve OF their union. and
there were other reasons why he Tor time put
her on with vague promises and delays and ut
length positively refused 70 marry her. She then
begun n breach OF promise suit against him.
which he compromised by the payment ott3OuO.
But she says he was to have given her flOOOO.
aud 20 hnve made some provision Tor their
child. A few nights ago while excited 10y wine.
she strovc to force an entrance into his house.
and said some foolish things about shooting
him. even. going so far as TO flourish pistol.
MIR. Beldcn's friends aver that the woman IL
being put forward by parties who ar" seeking
90 blackriail him. that there has been Il con
spiracv TO extQrt money irJm him hy threats OF
snndazing his good reputation, and that not
onl; the woman hut those who are behind her
IN the attempt will be- punished. On the night
Of the threat. Mrs. Walcott bade her coach
driver wait at the door until she had finished
her business with Mr.. BrldcD. She rang the
bell. II Is said several times. but Nns refused
admittanrc 10y the servant. Then. i II said, sh"
qrcwthe revolver and said she would shoot Bel
den On III ght.