Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-07-10
VINO FIRED THE or
That Killed n Cat and wounded
Three Persons-aTrs. Hartman Ac-
uufffeu.

The case of Maria C. Hartman, charged
with committing an assault upon Willard
+. Hudson aud Walter Bentley on the
18th Of June, was heard in municipal
o1urt on Monday before Deputy Judge
| Sharply.
Tbs ashanti alleged in the charge con.
slated Of lodging grain Of buekshoL in
young Bsntley's breast and another in
the neck OF the by Hudson. By the
evidence the plaintiff tried to establish
the facts that Mrs. Hartman, who resides
at No, 309 West street, in the capacity Of
housekeeper for 8. D. Forbes, on the
day OF the assault fired . gun
heavily loaded at cat that
had perehed itself In tie branches OF a
fayorits pear tree. Also that after per-
forming its praiseworthy mission, con-
tinued its course through the body of the
feline and glsnoing from some object
struck the two boys and ohipped piece
Of skin off the ear Of Mr.. Forbes coaoh-
man, Frank Realm. The prosecuting
Witnesses were Of the opinion that
Mrs. Hartman had discharged the gun
which sent its load so scatteringly
tbEonsh the hack yard and into the
stable whore those whd got hit were
standing discussing the milking qualities
Of COW in the game building and which
appears to have been the only animate
object back of Mr.. Forbes house which
did not receive shot. The gun was
supposed to have been fred from q
window in the back buildings Of the
Forbes mansion opening from an apart
ment used as a sitting room.
0na uuttnaaa taafffad fa oaafpn cxuaba
issue from the window and directly after
to the appearance Of Mrs. Hartmann at
the easement, also to her bowing the
shutters. Other witnesses were heard
who gave as their opinion that the
weapon had been discharged from the
same room, the window of which was
directly in line with the stable door and
pear tree, which the cat was slain. No
one, however, had seen the gun fired.
Among the witnesses for the defense, q
lady living next door was called who
testified that when the fresrm WAS let off
she was talking with Mrs. Hartman in
another part oi the house. More testimony
was adduoed, showing that by reason Of
various intervening objects 1t would have
been impossible for gun discharged from
the window stated II have sent any of it's
contents into the stable. After the
testimony Judge Sharpley dismissed
the case, stating that there was no doubt
but shot had been fred from Mi.
Forbes back yard, and that Mrs. Hart
man instead of being charged with the
shooting oonld probably have been Of
more service as witness. This brought
the defendant to her feet, who asked and
was granted the privilege of making a
statement. She averred with consider.
able emphasis that she knew nothing of
the shooting and had only heard the
report of the gun.
"But," enjoined Judge Sharpley,
''there was shot fired, and it struck
these boys and the coachman.''
Mrs. Hartman quickly and with much
spirit replied "There was a shot fired
about two years ago which killed Gar
field 1t was an awful thing, but didn't
fire it, and knew nothing about it," The
audience enjoyed hearty laugh at the
courts expense, and Mrs. Hartman with
q henghty toss OF her head and tri-
umphant nod at the prose,utrix swept
cut of the chamber Of justice.
The defendant conducted her own case
and did livery shrewdly. The witnesses
W Hhoee 6Flueuoe sno took excepLlOnh
she oross.questioped in way that would
have been creditable to an experienced
practitioner. With sang troidrarsly
seen by woman amid the sur.
roundings she stood by the side Of
the witnesses to hear all the evidence,
and with much dignity either dismissed
them or propounded her cross questio
in way which suggested a close
familiarity with Blackstone. Her state
ment to the court concerning her
Ignorance Of the shooting was an effort
that would have won applause on the his
tri0nio bosris. Her commanding
presence, posture, gestioulation and
of tone speech emphasizing her
remarks thoroughly.
RaU H1anrun HI R~tafAn AanntsfaA