Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-05-02
ABOUT THE CITY.
Frank TOal Examined for an
Assault on His Wife.
TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS BAIL.
A Luncheon Party-GrOwing Worse.
Other Local Events of an
Interesting Nature.

Frank Toal, the wife-beater and would
be wife-murderer, appeared yesterday
afternoon before Police Judge Stanton for
examination on the charge of assault to
murder. There were a number of spec
tators in the courtroom, chiefly neighbore
of the unfortunate woman who was to act
as the prosecuting witness. 1t has been
openly said on all sides that if Toal
should not be- convicted of the crime with
which be is charged, he would be sub
jected to the very same treatment by the
people living in the vicinity of his former
home. who knew of the outrageous bru-
tality with which he treated his wife.
Toal has plenty of money, but for some
reason he refused to hire lawyer. He
sat in the dock stolid and Indifferent, oc.
casionally rousing himself to ask ques-
ton OF some one Of the witnesses against
him. When his wife took the stand, he
leaned forward in his seat and watched
her keenly. She refused, however, to
look in his direction. Her testimony,
which it had been feared would prove
weak and faltering, was clear and firm,
and, as far as the statement of one wit
ness, could established the truth OF the
charge. The wounds on the face of the
unfortunate woman are, for the most
part, healed, but she still wears q band
age about her neck.
The tes timony given by the little son
OF the couple was painfully interesting.
Frank is about II years of age, but is
bright and sharp, with perceptions rem
dered clearer, perhaps, by the sufferings
which he has witnessed and expert
enced.
"Father came home that night" said
he, ''and he told mother to 60 and un-
hitch the horse. When she would not
do it, then he struck her and
said he would drive her out
of the house. He swore at
her and called her names, and
she ran out of the door. She went down
the road and he after her, and ran
along too. because I was afraid he was
going to hurt her. He caught up with
mother and threw her down on the
ground. 81 will kill you now," he said,
and took out his knife. Then he began
cutting her in the face. She did not
scream or make any noise, but she tried
hard to get away. caught hold Of his
ohh WhCA hO tuiAO0 w DetiAO hlO
she got up to her feet and began to run
again. Her face was all bloody
Father took after her again and
caught up in a few steps. He
threw her down, and said, 'D-n you,
1 will cut your throat He cut her
throat terribly and her breast. Then he
put his foot on her neck and took hold
of her hair. think he was trying to
kill her by pulling at her head after he
had cut her throat. 1 kept dragging on
his arm, and at last he let go of her."
The little fellows voice faltered occa-
sionally as he narrated the terrible sight
which he had witnessed, but when the
District Attorney asked him more par
ticularly about various incidents of the
affair, his account was perfectly accurate
and consistent.
Toal offered no defense, not even that
of statement of his own remembrance
of the transaction. 1t appeared to the
court that evidence enough had been
given to show that Frank Toal had COM
mitted an assault upon his wife with a
knife, and that in 80 doing, he had in
teded to kill her. He was therefore held
to answer to the Superior Court and his
bail was fixed at $4,000. He was sent
to the County Jail. where he will await
trial