The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-24
THE DAILY STAR
BIRDIE BELL
How "Wash.o Nathaa 10 Pursued
by His Would.be Murderer.

yesterday morning when he raised his
hand in surprise to nod his recognition
TO a young man who had just approached
the stand. Neatly dressed, with slight
flush on his cheek and that perceptble
quiver of the lip which in well remem-
bered scenes had indicated his excite
ment-the new conner was recognized by
several present as Washington Nathan.
As his appearance in court of justice
has generally been signalized by sensa-
alton of some sort there was general
manifestation of interest in his actions.
But nothing transpired to crafty the cl-
nous. A whispered conversation in
which he engaged with the magistrate
was followed by the latter's issuing a
summons for the appearance of Mrs.
Wood, of No. 800 West Fifty-third
street. Three o'clock in the afternoon
was the hour fixed for the hearing, and
officer "Con" Foley was furnished with
the requisite authority to secure the
lady's attendance.
No 300 West Fifty-third street is a
fashionable fiat on the corner of Eighth
avenue, on the second floor of
which Mrs. T. B. Black has hidden her
identity under the name of Mrs. Wood.
She has also borne the name of Frances
Barrett and the alias of Birdie Bell. I'm
I'll yesterdays process of law brought her
into Court, nothing has been heard for Il
long time of the determined woman who
achieved SO much notoriety by her at
tack on the young man who appeared
against her in the y-seventh-street
Court When the officer reached her
place of abode lie was encountered by a
colOred servant, who served the summons
on his mistress, and bore from her an as
surance that as soon as she had consulted
her lawyer she would comply with it..
She was as good rs her word, and at 8
o'clock was shown into the chief clerk S
room, where she waited the calling of the
case. Washington Nathan, accompar led
by Judge Cardoza, appeared also, and
was given a seat in the Justices room
When the moment came for the calling
Of the case IL became apparent that the
usual procedure was not to be observed
Whatever were the charges, whatever the
recriminations, they were only to reach
the parties in the case, and the veil of
secrecy WAS to be religiously kept drawn
over its ad diustment. A scene, of course,
was anticipated, and the justice shut it
out from the public gaze by listening to
the defendants statement in room
whittier she was brought. He was called
back to the Courtroom to transact some
routine business, but, after whispered
conversation with Judge Cardoza, re-
paired with him to the lady's room. Here
all were closeted for awhile and when
the Justice came out, he left her in tears,
with Washington Nathan standing at her
side offering her money, while Judgr
Cardoza stood apart, turning upon them
the cold, calm scrutiny of the man of the
law.
From Justice Murray the nature Of the
complaint and the circumstances which
occasioncd it We're ascertained. When
the shooting at the Coleman House came
to light that magistrate issued warrant
for the apprehension of Frances Barrett
1t was Of no avail, however, for the Off
GERS of the law found no opportunity for
serving it. The woman hNd disappeared
and left NO trace of her whereabouts that
the official warrant-server could make Of
avail. Her counsel, Mr.. Townsend, how
ever, was accessible and when il became
evident that the defendant in the at
tempted murder case, into which the
shooting had been construed, had deter
mined to keep her privacy, the lawyer
was sent for. Lie went to the Jefferson
Market Police Court, and ready way
out of the dilemma WIS discovered.
Washington Nathan had gone to Europe,
consequently there was no complainant.
The prosecution WAS accordingly
dropped, and Frances Barrett was per-
mitted to follow her own inclinati0ns.
She was not long in making up her mind
how to act. Her pistol had failed to per-
form its mission, and she now turned her
attention to a purpose less tragic and
perhaps of more avail. Nathan had gone
to Europe. He intended to pass the sum-
mer there. So, after him she posted and
got upon his track the moment she
reached the continent. He had gone to
Paris. she learned, and she at once turned
her face in the direction of the gay capi-
tai. There she one day astonished him
by sudden appearance. She was now
the cool, calculating woman of business
in whose very self possession he could
see the fruitlessness of any attempt to
battle her. From that day the Birdie
Bell of other times became an incubus
Of which Nathan could not rid himself.
In places of amusement, on the boule-
wards, in the very retirement of his own
apartments he feared to encounter this
woman and risk some sensational scene
that would set Paris prating.
He left the city, but she followed him,
and was passenger on the steamer that
brought him to New York. On the way
she demanded of him an amount of
money which was her due fcr'his two
years occupancy Of her house and the
use of carriage and the like. Fearful
of an outbreak he admitted her claims
and promised to have them settled on
reaching New York. From the day of
his arrival here, however, she had not set
her eyes on him. She received no reply
to her letters, was refused admittance to