The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-07-17
The Tongue Is an UnrulY
Member, Especially
Mrs. Brady's.
SHE TERRORIZED THE BLOCK.
Even Her Husband Was Sc0lded
When He Came Home Too Late
at Night.

Woman'S tongue TheY were all mar
ried men-but let that pass. They unani-
mously declared Mrs. Mary Brady, of No.
286 Van Horn street, a, common scold."
This record was made in the Court of
General Sessions whittier Mrs. Winifred
Doody had caused Mrs. Brady to go to
answer the charge she had brought
against her-that of being common
scold. 1t is the first time case of this
nature was ever tried in Hudson county,
and Prosecutor Winfield, who is also
author of a history of New Jersey, said he
believed it was the first case of the kind
in the State.
When the case was called by the Prose-
cutor gray-haired Max Salinger was OBJ
served escorting very red-faced woman
of fifty-five years, dressed in deep mourn
ing, to the prisoners seat within the rail
ing. 1t was Mrs. Brady. She would
probably tip the scales very suddenly at
about 225 pounds. Her hair is OF that
brilliant red, said to indicate hasty dis
position. 1t was crimped and curled in
peculiar fashion; and upon it sat black
bonnet, with mourning veil With con-
siderable difficulty Mrs. Brady succeeded
in getting into her seat, where she divided
her time between muttered ScOld1ng OF
the witnesses and endeavors to maintain
her position on the narrow seat, which
could not have been more comfortable
than the oldtime ducking stool
THE FATE OF sCOLDS IN OLD TIMES.
The "ducking stool" was the method of
furnishing common scolds in England
more than a century ago. 1t was chair
fixed on the end of a plank arranged see
saw fashion. The scold was put in the
chair and the see-saW operated. Each
irno fho hoi Ixyn11 6Qconn6 a
in pond and the woman would be thor
oughly ducked.
Prosecutor Winfield explained all this
to the jury when he opened the case, but
added:-"As much as may regret it,
there is no punishment by the ducking
stool now. and common scold may wag
her tongue as much as she pleases and
only be punished for being nuisance
and committing misdemeanor A COM
mon scold is woman who goes about the
neighborhood jawing every one she
meets"
When Miss Winifred Doody, the first
witness, was called the court room was
crowded with people eager to hear the
trial and see the parties engaged in it. In
Mrs. Doody they saw g modest, quiet
made her look older. She had kindly
face, full of expression. She was well
but plainly dressed in black, with blue
ribbon here and there.
Mrs. Doody said that her home was on
Van Horn street, opposite the home of
Mrs. Brady. She had lived there six
years. Since June /, 1888, Mrs. Brady had
scolded her in public many times
'On May % of this year." said she, Il
had company, Mr.. and. Mrs. Rice and
Mrs Brady shouted, oh, here she comes,
the old gray haired hag; she's looking for
graft; she's no good and this she kept
up for half an hour. She often did this
before: do not know whether she was
under the influence of liquor or not"
"Did she ever Scold any other persons"
asked the Prosecutor.
"Oh, yes sir I've heard her scold Mrs.
Laud, Mrs Hughes, Mrs. Marshall and
others. She would talk very loud and at
tracted the attention of the neighbors."
On being crosS-eXamined by Counsellor
Salinger, Mrs. Doody said that once she
and Mrs Brady had been good friends.
She said also that she had had Mrs. Brady
taken before Justice Wanser and later be-
fore Justice Louis.
THE TERROR OF THE BLOCK.
"What did Mrs. Brady mean when she
said you were looking for graft?" asked
Mr.. Salinger.
81 do not know"
''Who heard her say this?"
MRS. Marshall, Mrs. Rice and others"
"Were you ever arrestedY
eyes, sir; but not convicted"
peacep
The question was overruled and Mrs.
Minnie Rice, comely young matron
with bright eyes and an artistic COM
plexion, tripped lightly to the witness
chair Calmly shaking out the folds of
her brown dress, She adjusted her green
hat over some bangs, and in reply to the
District Attorney said that she lived at
No. 1877 Perry street, New York. She
heard Mrs. Brady on May 22 call Mrs.
Doody gray headed old hag looking for
graft Mrs. Brady talked very loudly
that afternoon; she was on the street
when she did it, The witness had heard
Mrs. Brady scold before.
Mrs Frederick Marshall of No 317
Johnson avenue, q middle aged brunette
who wore q big black hat and black dress,
took the stand
Mrs. Brady abused me so l was COM
pelled to move out of the block, +" she said,
f'she called me bad names and also
abused my boy. once saw her so drunk
she staggered against the fence. Every
time went on my own stoop Mrs. Brady
abused me and l had no comfort until |
moved away.
"Did you ever hear her abuse Mrs.
Doody?"
Il should think so," she answered, with
smile ''Tve heard her call Mrs Doody
q shoplifter and hag and nearly every
thing else. l was forced to move five
months ago because Of her abusive
tongue"
Mrs. Jane Stranahan, whose every
word was followed by a musical and good
natured laugh, testified that she lived at
No. 277 Van Horn street; that Mrs.
Brady's voice attracted attention, her
tongue was vile, and the LANGUAGE used
by Mrs Brady was the worst she ever
had heard.
II have grown-up daughters" said she.
sand / did not want them to hear such
talk and / tried to have Mrs Brady
arrested, but for some reason could not.
heard Mrs. Brady abuse Mrs. Marshall,
Mrs. Hughes and others. think couple
of families moved away because OF her
What did you hear her say to Mrs.
Doodygn
"When she had company Mrs. Brady
would say:-'Ha, ha, ha! see the old gray
haired hag; look at her now locking for
graft and more words like that.
Cross-examined she SAID she had never
spoken to Mrs. Brady In her Life. Several