Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-07
SHOT By HIS SON-IN-LAw.
A Family Dimculty Ventilated in the Crimi-
nal Court.

A Family Dlmculty Ventilated in the Crimi-
nal Court
Eli Hart, an aged man who was on the wit
ness stand In the Criminal Court, Justice Cox,
today. excitedly exclaimed, when asked il he
knew James A. Clarke, the prisoner, Eyes. to
my sorrow!' You're lar!' muttered Clarke,
who was placed on trial for an assault and bat
terry and intent to kill Mr. Hart on February
6, 1887. Clarke had married Harris daughter
Mr. Hart testified that after the marriage
and he abused his daughter; that he went to the
store and told Clarke that he had to leave, and
as he reached the street Clarke fired and
witness felt the singing of the shot in the alb
domen-
On cross-examination Mr.. Hart denied that
his daughter owned the store or that she owned
the property. She now in New York. he
said. with good place, supporting her child
and had supported her husband.
What business had he to shoot mel ex-
claimed the witness. Hes nothing but an
other Guiteau."
In reply to the court the witness said he had
no intention to assault Clark when he called him
out
By Mr.. Clagett-He wanted him to go to Mr.
Lucas, who had told him of Clarke abusing his
WIFE
Sergt. Hess testified that he and Officer Heard
were on the corner Of Pennsylvania avenue aud
I'D street when the two men went into Lucas ,
No 2l5l, and came out in few minutes. Hart
coming out first. The other man fired five
shots and Hart fell They arrested Clarke,
who said that it right. He had bulldog
pistol, A caiber and there we're five shells in it,
Clarke had been drinking and was pretty full.
On cross-examination witness said that he
and Officer Heard was attracted by the talking
They did not see them come out of the store
2l53, but out OF Lucas. 1t twenty min
utes after 9 on Sunday night, February 6, 1887
He could not say if there was one load left or
not.
THE DEFENDANTS STORY.
After the testimony the defendant took the
stand and testified that be was acquainted with
Miss Hart six months before the marriage and
Mr.. Hart knew of his attentions Mr.. Hart was
married a second time few days before that
His wife run the store and they lived together
for nearly year. He claimed that he I'M
derstood that he had been released on
personal recognizance and had been in court
three tines. He admitted that he fired the
pistol. He had sent his wife to the
hospital the day before, she being very sick and
him, and he supposed he wanted to fight. Hart
had threatened him before. He took him to
Lucas and when he came out Hart said il he
followed him he would stab him. He thought
that he wanted him to remain at Lucas while
he (HarD went to the store and locked him
out.
The old man seemed chagrined that he did
not remain at Lucas, and threatened him with
his stick when he fired.
On cross-examination witness said he got in
the house through the window and he had the
pistol before Hart came and asked him out.
They were in Lucas few minutes, but did not
know what the conversation was about He
NJ nj no ord nrt hn no ya
witness to understand that it would not be we'll
for him to follow him or he would lose his life.
&Wltness believed Hart had pistol in his
hand because Of his previous threats.
Clarke said that his wife owned the store and
he believed that Hart intended to kill him.
When his wife came to him she left her furni-
ture with her father and last April there was a
fire and Hart drew the insurance.
In rebuttal Alexander Hurd testified that
when he took Mr.. Hart to the hospital he handed
him a canvass bag of money.
The jury found a verdict Of guilty.