Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-27
IN SELF-DEFENSE.
The Shooting Of Thomas Jarboe by ex-
Justice Clark.

TESTIMONY N THE POLICE COURT ro-DAY-THE
AeaRAvArINo CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH
THREE SHOTS WE'RE FIREp-cLARK ACQUITTED.
The case Of ex-Justice Of the Peace John T.
c. Clark. charged with attempting TO kill
Thomas Jarboe, ON the Ridge road. Thanks
giving night, as published in The STAR at the
time, was called for trial in the Police Court
to-day, and Mr.. E. II. Thomas, for the defend
ant, pleaded not guilty. Mr.. Thomas asked
that the court hear all the eyewitness to the
shooting. He was sure that there was no intent
to kill, and thought the court would find that
no ofense had been committed.
TESTIMONY OF JARBoE.
Jarboe testified that on Thanksgiving day he
borrowed Mr.. Clark's horse and buggy and
came TO the city. He drank considerable dur
ing the day and when he started home friend
told him that he (Jarboe) was too drunk to
drive. His friend drove until within a quarter
OF mile OF the house and witness then drove
home alone. Witness lived in Clark's house
and had been on friendly terms with him for
nearly two years. He got the horse and buggy
about 10 O'Clock in the morning and told Clark
that he would probably be home in an hour
Witness took his first drink in a saloon on
Pennsylvania avenue and then went TO a
barber shop. Witness got home about 4
O'Clock. He remembered going in the chicken
house because the housekeeper would not LET
him in the house. He did not remember
striking the housekeeper. Mrs. Wells. but did
remember that she struck him. He did not
remember exactly what happened. but did
remember that Clark shot him three times
top of the head" The last two were only
slight wounds.
STORY OF AN EYEWITNESS
Chas. Reeves, colored, testified that Thanks
giving afternoon Mr. Clark sent for him and
told him that Jarboe was drunk and had as
saulted Mrs. Wells and himself. Witness tried
to get Jarboe to go to bed. but did not succeed
and then witness tried to get him off the prem
lses. Jarboe went back to the house and mad,
rush for Mr.. Clark, and the latter hit him
Jarboe then went toward Mrs. Wells. as wit
ness thought, to apologize. but instead Of
doing SO he assaulted the woman. He then re
newed the assault on Mr.. Clark and got an axe
He threatened to kill both Mrs. Wells and Mr.
Clark. Witness got frightened and went away
As he walked of he heard Jarboe break in the
door. Two hours later he heard three shot
fired, but did not return to the house until tn,
next morning.
WISHED CLARK HAD KILLED HIM.
Mrs. Fanny Cloe, colored, testified that sh,
saw Jarboe sitting in the chicken-house. III,
was intoxicated. Mr.. Clark wanted her to ash
hILu III tuc uOube, Out she QlO not care 10 do so
She went home and Jarboe came to her house
later in the evening and told her that he wal
shot. She kept him in her house until the fol
lowing morning. Jarboe was suffering from
his wounds and said be wished MIR. Clark had
killed him.
THE HoUsEKEEPER's TESTIMONY.
Mrs. Wells, the housekeeper, testified thai
when Jarboe came home he was intoxicated
He abused and assaulted Mr.. Clark and herself
several times. After Mr.. Clark locked the door
Jarboe broke it with an axe. and threatened Il
kill them. Later in the evening Jarboe re-
turned and renewed the threats She advised
him to go away, but he refused to do SO, say.
ing he had a revolver and intended to kill boil
of them. Then Mr.. Clark fired three shots
Jarboe then came to the house and told hel
that he was shot
The judge said that Jarboe's statement could
not be relied on. He admits that be was drunk
DO you think the grand jury would indict OIL
this testimony" the court asked.
Il doubt it very much" answered Mr.. Shil.
lington. 81 don't think the testimony warrant.
q conviction"
AN ACoUIrTAL
The case was dismissed.