The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-06-16
a SKETCH
IN BLACK And WHITE.
0thello Figures in a
Police Court Matinee.
NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY DEsDY.
Her Husband Caght Her DisheVelled
in a Colored Dudes Room,
TRAGEDY In THE BACKGROUND

The developments of hearing before
Justice Stilsing this morning laid bare
the details Of possible crime that pro-
duced profound sensation.
John Cole, strapping built coal black
negro-an Othello, perhaps-of No. BAL
Newark avenue, and Mrs. Mamie Per-
kins. the pretty brunette wife OF Oscar
Perkins, of No. 837 Newark avenue, were
s4rraigned as disorderly characters.
Cole was we'll dressed and in ministerial
attire with white vest Mrs. Perkins was
resplendent in beaded cape that partly
hid the bodice of a black silk waist, which
fitted her well moulded body and arms to
perfection. She wore small black hat
with the brim turned up closely all
round.
Patrolman Murphy told the following
story was called upon by Mr.. Oscar
Perkins about TWO o'clock this morning
TO go into this negro's apartments on the
second floor Of No. 337 Newark avenue,
near Fifth street, just in the rear Of Ell
had reason to believe that his wife was in
there alone with negro man. | called
another policeman. We assembled the
stairs, and, after some little difficulty,
succeeded in forcing open the door
without breaking g the ndsSas.a Lock, me a.,
bed. In an adjoining room we found
Mrs. Perkins sitting in a chair. looking
as though she had hurriedly thrown on
her clothes. Both protested innocence of
any crime at first, but after both had
been arrested they acknowledged their
guilt. The mother of Mrs. Perkins was
greatly distressed when she heard the
news, and remarked:-sMy Godl has it
come to this? l told Mamie that that
man killed his wife for her.
COLES STORY.
Cole glanced up in horror, Justice
Stilsing asked him what he had to say to
the officers story, and particularly ques-
toned him as to his wife's death
Coles fingers somewhat nervously
twitched, but he mastered himself, and
commenced his story with an attempt to
smile. He gesticulated good deal, slap
ping his twitching fingers on the rail
guard in front of him. He said:-"It's
not all on my account this has happened.
! met this woman (turning to Mrs. Per-
kins. who partially screened her face
from the big lobby Saturday night
week ago. She was walking along tie
street with a little girl, When she came
to her door she gave the child bundle
and sent it upstairs. Then. turning to
mel just happened to be passing she
said, very politely; Good evening"" !
stopped, and we chatted for few mo-
ments."
When did your wife diea' interrupted
the Judge In conlplacent manner.
She died next night or rather about
three O'Clock Monday morning"
Now, Judge" continued the prisoner,
my wife agin me. had loving wife. I
had been married to her sixteen years,
but she was very delicate and spent
good deal of money on her"
What was the matter with hers' asked
the Judge.
HOW SHE DIED.
'sWelH' said the prisoner, hesitatingly,
and q mewhat confused, aShe always
{ implanted of misery in the back of her
neck, and was seized at times with a sort
of jerking like this" and the prisoner
jerked and twisted his shoulders by way
side of the bed when she died. | got up
early through mistake and was sitting
talking to her. She said she was not
feeling well and said to me,s Honey, you
had better bathe my feet l started TO
make a fire to heat some water when she
was taken with one of her spells"
Did you summon doctOrY
Yes, sir"
"Who?n
well, I don't just 'zactly recall his
name. He lives up on the Hill. start
ed for DR.. Sutherland, and was told he
doctor only round the corner. | was SO
excited | forgot where he lived. Wife
was dead when he arrived. She had
locked up the money an / couldn't find
it. gave him half a dollar. 1t was all
could get my hands on at the time. Mr..
Boylan buried the body. The funeral
cost me S59."
Questioned further Cole said he had
had two children by his wife, both of
whom died the day after they were born.
He further said that Mrs. Perkins was at
his house nearly all day Monday when
the corpse of his wife lay in the house,
and frequently came over during the
week and brought him his meals. Last
night, he said. she came over to his house
at a late hour. He tried to get rid of her,
but she persisted in staying; so becoming
tired OF trying to persuade her to go
adjoining room. Cole is forty-six years
OF age.
A BRAzEN WOMAN.
And what have you to say?'' asked the
Judge of Mrs. Perkins.
i have but little to say" answered
Mrs. Perkins, Strengthening up and fac
ing the Judge with the air of an innocent
woman. Certainly went to this mans
house at unseenly hours. don't see the
necessity Of sending a policeman after
me and raising all this hubbub about it."
Committed for trial, said the Judge,
Mr. Perkins, when seen after the hear
ing said to a JERSEY CITY NEWS re-
porter:--"l believe my wife was drugged.
She had always been dutiful wife up TO
the time she met this negro Saturday
night week ago. My suspicious became
aroused in the early part of the week.
My wife was out somewhere late every
night. knew it was for no good pur-
pose. So / commenced to watch. Her
frequent day visits to Coles house, which
is just back of ours led me to think she
went there at night. ! loved her, and do
not wish to see her imprisoned; but so
help me God I'll never live with her
again. They had been corresponding all
the week, sending notes By a boy. saw
one Of them but did not get chance to
read it. / was married to her in St.
Bridget's Church five years ago, and have
one child.'
DR.. Converse. who made an examina-
sion Of the body of Coles dead wife, has
Mot yet reported. Chief Murphy is in
,slined TO the belief that there was no foul
play In connection with her death.