Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-28
The Domestic Troubles OF Messenxer
Powell.
HIS wIFEs ACCOUNT OF HIS TREATMENT OF HER AT
Tue WHITE HOUSE.


TUE WHITE HOUSE
Mrs. Powell, the wife OF Aleck Powell. the color
ed man who acts as private messenger for the
President, has come on from New York to see her
husband. The object OF her visit she states was to
get some money, as the alimony which her hus-
band had agreed to pay her while the divorce pro-
ceedings were pending, had ceased to come. Her
meeting with her husband at the White House oc-
caSfoned a rather sensational scene. MIS- Powell
says that she was admitted to the White House.
but her husband abused her and told her never to
come again. She however called again the next
day, which was last Thursday, TO see the private
out OF the yard her husband rushed out the house
and putting his hand on his hip pocket, made
threatening gestures and spit in her face. She
10 XIII her. The irate man was removed without
doing any injury. Mrs. Powell thinks that she
Will institute legal proceedings
WHAT "ALBcx" POWELL SAYS
STAR reporter asked aAleck" Powell to-day
what he had to say about the publ cations re
fecting upon him. He replied: "My wife, Mary
Powell is quarrelsome vindictive woman, and
has tried to annoy me in every way, and 1 found
IL would be impossible to live with her; II did
would be rash and regret 1t all my life. She lost
TWO Children by her negligence, ard would crack
coarse jokes over the death OF those children I
was removed from the custom house on account OF
my allegiance to Mr.. Arthur and was then en-
ployed IN the police department OF New York
When President GARFIELD President Arthur
sent for me. LETT with Mr. Blake, the superin-
tendent OF the outdoor poor In New York S35 ior my
wife the first month, out or a salary Of S66 When
went back to New York found that she had COM
menced suit for an absolute divorce on the ground
or adultery. Poline Commissioner Freach went
on my bond for $780, and Mr.. Ransom was directed
py the President To act as my counsel In order to
be Tree of the woman pleaded tuilty. The case
went before a referee, who decided that should
pay her counsel fees Of $50, and pay her $50 per
month, which sent TO Mr.. Ransom, and then Mr.
Ransom wrote to send no more money. The
woman was unwilling to continue her suit for d.
Vorce, because she wanted to annoy Inc and get
money from me. Her counsel, Howe and Hum
mel, would no longer act for her. On
the 18th or March my counsel wrote: "Aleck
send on $50; she has promised to go on with the
suit" ! sent the money. Last Thursday she came
10 the Whlte House, saw me up stairs and said, 81
want some money" 1 told her to go back to my
lawyer; the money was there Tor her. She said,
don't want a divorce; want money; 1 want
$780, refused to give her any money and
ordered her out OF the house. She left word that
and do not intend to. The next day she came to
the White House grounds, simply to aggravate me-
l went up to her and ordered her away. made
no assault on her, but 1 was so angry
and so choked up. that In attempting to speak,
suppose some or the foam from my mouth went
on her veil, but had no intention OF splitting on
ner. AS for having my hand on pistol / always
carry my hands in my pockets, but had no pistol.
never threatened to shoot her, but did say once
that IL she continued to perSecute me, God help
her, meaning that would clear out and not help
support her. Detectives have visited her and ad-
viSed her to 90 back to New York, and she has
promised to do so. She is accompanied and urged
on IN this persecution by woman named Maria
Rivers, alias Mrs Samuel Clay
Powell is a br1ght-loOking and Intelligent mu-
latto, and, SO far from being unpopular at the
White House, he Is quite favOr1te both with the
81 am not the Presidents valet 1 never blacked
pair of boots in my lfe-not even my own.
Was assigned to duty as messenger to the PreSi-
dent and that is the duty now perform"