Daily Republican., 1886-10-27
THIRD EDITION.
SOPHIE L nAR's END.
n Physicisn's Wifs's shameful Way to
Violent Death IN . H0vel.

n Physicians Wifs's shameful Way to
Violent Death IN . Howell.
Sophie Lear, the young white woman,
who died In howell In the slums OF
Philadelphia on Monday, 1t Is charge d
from injuries inflicted by Lewis Viii
liams, q burly negro, with whom she
lived, was daughter of q respectable
Delaware County farmer by the name OF
Lear, and the widow of q physician
named Hendricks. She was born In
Chester and was married to Hendricks
when quite young. His death marked a
change in her life. She entered upon a
downward career. Drink soon dragged
her down to the lowest depths of degrad-
alton and she took up her abode in the
slums. About five years ago the woman
returned TO the scene OF her childhood
days and expressed her intention to re-
form. Her parents forgave her and she
went to work In mill. She seemed to
be perfectly contented until man named
ed Keefe appeared and claimed her as his
wife. Sophie departed with him against
the prott stations of her aged mother.
What became of Keefe is not known,
but the woman returned to her former
haunts. 1t was not long before she be-
came the companion Of the colored man
Williams and lived with him In O'Brien's
Court, rear of 613 st. Mary street.
The story OF the negroes brutal treat
ment OF the woman was told by severa
witnesses at hearing before Magistrate
Lennon yesterday. Samuel johnson
colored, 613 St. Mary street, testified th al
he had repeatedly seen Williams beat and
kick the woman in iendish manner, to
which treatment she quietly submitted.
Williams had frequently threatened to
kill her If she did not give him q certain
sum of money each week.
Ella Mahoney, of 0'Brien's Court, testi
fed that on the night, of October II she
saw Williams dig his finger nails into 9
wound In the woman's throat and tear II
until the blood spurted over his clothes
The woman bore the pain as long as she
could and then shrieked, "You are chok
ing me to DEATH For Gods sake dom,
kill me-"
Mary Diggs, the colored woman, who
found Sophie in a dying condition OF
Monday and summoned DR. Loder, posi-
lively refused to testify. Williams II
said to bs infatuated with this woman
and 1t Is known that she was Jealous o.
the dead woman.
Ella Sweeney described the debauch o.
Sunday night, which terminated in the
prisoner beating and kicking Sophie
Williams told the witness that the woman
was very sick, and she procured a prizes,
and a physician, whose services were
necessary.
Caroline Hewitt, who keeps "func
tion" shop in st. Mary street, told of the
brutal manner in which the woman had
been treated. On last Thursday night the
witness heard cries OF "murderl" and saw
Williams kicking Sophie in the stomach
and jumping on her.
Sarah Washington, respectable old
colored woman, SIG South Seventh street
who laid out the body, testified that II
was covered with bruises and decorations
The head and neck also bore evidence OF
brutality.
James Williams, colored, was at the
house of the prisoner on October IS. The
accused took bottle OF liquor from a
closet and the woman remarked that she
bad taken a drink. The prisoner knock ed
her down and kicked her, saying at the
time: 81 mean to kill you, for Pm tirec
of you aud am going to live with Mary
Diggs "
Williams was committed TO await tn,
action OF the Coroner, who will hold al
inquest this morning. johnson and tn
woman Diggs, Mahoney, Sweeeny an,
Lucy Scott were held as witnesses.