Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-28
A CASE OF FarHER-IN-LAw.
VIM. ID. Porter Put Under Bonds Not to In
jure His Daughter's Husband

Il
| William ID. Porter. who is a nephew o,
Admiral Porter and father-in-law Of Janice ].
o Brien. was placed on trial in the Pol,ce Cour,
this AFTERNOON charged with threats toward HIS
son-in-lnw. O'Brien is the young man who
eioped with Mr.. Porter slaughter some months
ago after she had met him at the Riggs House.
Mr.. Porter. who was under $500 bail, was not
represented by counsel
Mr.. % Brien, who is young man. said that
ms father-in-law had been threatening his life
Tor eight months. six months ago" said the
witness, Il had him arrested for threats. but
my wife was so nervous over the affair that
had the charge nolle pressed"
what is all this difficulty about2" inquired
the court
Il married his daughter without his con-
sent, he replied. '.Snce then he has tried to
separate us IN every manner. He has threat
ened to kill my wife and myself and then poison
himself
HER FATHER THREATENED TO KILL HIN.
Witness. continuing. said that sunday he
buried his only child and the defendant came
to the funeral, and, said Brien, .'he acted like
a crazy man.
He threatened 10 Kill me-" continued
brien. stab Inc or shoot me, and yesterday
ne mace an attempt on NV life. He sent a de-
coy letter TO my wife and gave her ten days in
which to leave me ard return home.
am positive that my life and the life of
my wife are in danger, and. furthermore, be-
| Lere he Is insane Witness said he had the
opinions Of Drs. Hazen and Iatimer that no
sane man would act in such manner.
| MltnesStold OF the actions of the defendant
at the funeral at ST. Dominic's Church saving
that the defendant acted in an insane manner,
both IN the hack and at the cemetery.
THE FATHER TELLS HIS STORY
The defendant in his own behalf testified
that his daughter left home on the 2cth OF
June year ago. and said she was going 10
| visit friend in Alexandria. but instead of GO
ing there she went TO baltimore md got married.
| Five weeks later, he said. she ran away aud left
word that she had gone to Chicago
| Her actions greatly distressed and worried
| both her mother and myself and Admiral Por-
| ter, my uncle. assisted me in finding the poor
unfortunate girl. She wrote us letters and IN
one OF them she said she prayed that God
would curse the man she married.
This caused the husband TO rise in astonish-
ment but word from the hips of HIS better
half satisfied him.
Il did say" the father continued. that !
| felt sometimes like killing her. because OF her
conduct, but ! wouldn't hurt hair in her
head. Continuing he said he was not at the
| church the day of the funeral that he bought
flowers when the child died because Of the love
| he had for his daughter
| Ut tAe ne s2lu some la1lef
| said to him: Don't shoot this man" but he said
he had no such idea. nor did he ever carry
| weapon.
Taking from his pocket picture ne said
Here Is the picture of my poor child as sh,
appeared when she left my house; now look al
her and see what wreck she is"
He repeated that he loved his daughter and
would not harm her or her husband. but ht
said, his family mad been broken up and made
wretched and now he intended to sell out hi
home and leave the city.
Another witness also gave testimony in hi,
| behalf.
Mrs. OF rien was then asked if she had any
thing to say, and she responded:
| THE WIFE sUsTAINs HER HUSBAND.
| "What my husband has said is perfectly true
We are not in want. Ny husband ana / are
devoted to each other and he supports me e
the best of his ability.
| $50 far as the letters are concerned I neve,
wrote letter against my husband. as m,
iathe- said, and if such letters are produced
they are forgeries."
| Have You anything to say further
| "Oh, yes, she replied. IF 1 could only re
member them, would like TO say them all for
| my husband. And SO far as that picture Il
concerned that was taken five years ago. wher
was much younger. ami so far as nv being
wreck Is concerned that is the result Of m,
fathers actions"
Judge Harper required Mr.. Porter to Civ,
real estate security in the sum of Zoo 10 keer
the peace or go to Jail for one mont, and b,
| sent for Mr.. Clark. his bondsman.