The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-14
SHE SHOT HIM IN THE THIGH.
Prosecuted Woman, the Police Failing 70
Protect Her. Protects Herself

Benjamin and Susan Devereaux, colored,
were married In Richmond. Va. eight years
ago and four years Rfterward Susan obtained
divorce. Benjamin. some time after their sep
aration. followed Susan to this city. Lately he
has threatened on several occasions to kill her.
She changed her dwelling place several times
to avoid him. but he always found her out
Her Inst move was made week ago to IL Cor
nelia street. whore sho lodged with Swede.
named John Simpson and his wife. Benjamin
followed her thore one evening and drew a
razor on her. and she says that Mrs simpsons
presence alone saved her life. On Wednesday
he lifted a large mirror with which to hit her.
but Simpson caught It, and turned him out OF
the house. Susan became 30 terrified ut his
threats that she borrowed q pistol from tho
house Of Mike" Murray OF 1856 West Eighth
street. in whose family she worked as laundress.
On Monday evening. she piled trunks up
against her door TO keep Ben out. She was
awakened yesterday morning by knocking.
and n boy showed a note in under the door 1t
was in Ben's handwriting and i said that ho
came so nervous that she left her bed and sat by
the window. She went from the window for a
moment and n huge cobhle stone crashed in
through the glass where she had been sitting
She looked out, and saw Ben on tho other side
OF The way Way She feared ear ne had pistol and ND
large revolver she had. but seeing two men
standing near Ben. she did not fire for fear OF
hitting them. Later she looked out again, and
Ben was still there. She raised her revolver
took steady aim. fired twice. and sent slug
into Ben's thigh. The stout negro did not fall.
He ran after policeman. VIII le Susan leisurely
dressed herself. She did not know he had been
hit but she expected to be arrested for firing
the pistol. Simpson and his wife were in an
adjacent room. and they say they heard the
stone come through the window. and the report
Of the pistol soon afterward. They were too
| frightened to move.
Shortly aiterward two policemen came in
| with Ben. Ben insisted that Simpson had fired
| the shot. Simpson protested his innocence,
| but both he and Susan were arrested. They
were arraigned in the Jefferson Market Police
| Court yesterday. There was no evidence against
Susan, and she was about tQ be discharged
| when she said / fired the shot through tho
| blinds. Simpson did not do it," Both were
| then committed for trial. Ben is at Bellevue
Hospital and Is not seriously hurt. Susan says
| she went twice to the court last week but WAS
| unable to see the Judge or obtain q warrant.
| Her previous dwelling place had been in Twen-
ty-ninth street and though she had frequently
| called on Capt. Williams's officers for protec-
| ton they did nothing for her; Mr. Michael
| Murray gave Susan very good character. and
| furnished 81 900 bail for her appearance. Ben
| has been living at 1874 West hirty-third street.
| Ho formerly worked with Simpson on the docks
| OF the Old Dominion Steamship Company
| Simpson is respectable worklngman. Ben
| has served a term Of Imprisonment for attempt.
| ing 10 kill q colored woman named Harris.