The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-09-28
COMMON PLEAS COURT.
"Blba" Smith Tried for a Dangerous
Assault.
SHE SAYS IT WAS AN ACCIDENT,
And Says She Tried To Frighten Monahan
The Latter an ex-Massachusetts Con-
vict-He Denies Making Improper

The trial OF Abbi Smith, better known
as "Biba" Smith, was begun In the Court
OF Common Pleas this morning before
Judge Wilbur. Mrs. Smith was indicted
for an assault with dangerous weapon
npon the person of Henry Monahan. The
assault WAS made on the 4th Of August,
at the house OF Mrs. Smith. Mohahan,
who went 10 the house, as he says, to sell
horse to the woman's husband, was
about to leave when he was cut with a
razor in the 81 lie of the neck. at the hands
of Mrs. Smitl.
"Biba" Smith Is notorious woman,
and the case excited considerable inter.
est. as was evidenced by the crowded
condition OF the court room.
Attorney-General Burbank appeared
for the State. and Arthur Cushing for
elled. and the trial proceeded.
Henry Monahan was the first witness
called for the State. He said that on the
day in question he went to the house OF
the woman to sell her husband horse.
The husband was not In, but his wife was
there. She sent her brothers boy, Tim
othy Ives, out for some beer. The woman
went out to try the horse, and witness
picked up a razor he saw lying around.
and knowing the woman and her ways
he put it In his pocket.
She came back and accused him Of TAX
nesses' pocket AS he was leaving the
house the defendant cut him with the
razor Witness identified the razor pro-
duced In court. He denied having made
any indecent proposal TO the defendant.
In cross-examination he admitted that
he had served term for an offence In
Massachusetts,.
Drs. Charles #. Marsden and Harry
0. Brown testified to attending Monahan.
They agreed that his condition was at
that time precarious. He was under
medical treatment for about two weeks.
SerRt. Thomas of the police department.
testified TO going to the house OF Mrs.
Smith in the evening Of the day Of the
assault.
He found two officers and Mrs. Smith
there. He asked her what she cut Mona
han for, and she said he had used insult
ing language to her and had stolen her
razor. While they were talking the boy
who was present pulled the razor out OF
his pocket.
He asked her IL Monahan had taken
hold of her hand, she said no. He said
she and the boy pushed him out of the
house and she cut him at the door. The
sergeant saw blood upon the steps.
Officer Mckenzie corroborated the last
witness.
Lieutenant Deary testified that he went
there at 10 o'clock in the evening. Mrs.
Smith and the boy were there. She said
VIII en- Monahan came there she was in bed,
aud sent word down that her husband was
not there. Soon after she came down ana
went out. and while she was out Mona
han took her husbands razor. She came
in and Monahan sent the boy out for some
bser
The boy came back and Monahan then
accused him OF stealing the razor, and
the boy pushed him towards the door.
She followed them. AT the door the boy
pulled the razor from Monahan's pocket.
She had some words with him, when he
turned around and made kick at her.
She then struck at him with the razor
Captain Havens visited the injured
man at his home, and found him very
low. 1t was with difficulty that he could
tell his story Witness saw the woman
at the station later. and she said she was
guilty.
This closed the case for the State, and
Mrs. Abbie j. Smith took the stand. She
said Monahan came to her house about IL
o'clock. She was upstairs reading. Her
brothers boy came up for her, and she
went down.
Monahan asked her where her husband
was, and she told him he. was at work
He told her he had good rig If her hus-
band wanted to go peddlinR. He soon
afterward sent out for some beer, and
also had bottle of whiskey in his
pocket.
He tried to get her to take some. He
offered to let her try the horse, and she
and the boy went and took short drive
While she was gone Monahan went
I ugh her bureau drawers. She came
back and accused him Of taking her hus-
bands razor. He denied it. and the boy
pulled IT, from his pocket and he offered
no explanation.
She told him he must get out OF the
house. He persisted in making improper
proposals to her. Mrs. Cahoon came in.
and she then pushed him out of the
house He made slap at the boy, and
she struck at him with the razor. intend
ing TO frighten him away She was
afraid of him. She did not intend to hit
him. He wound handkerchief around
his neck and drove off.
Mrs. Cahoon, who lives at the house
where the assault was committed and
owned the premises, said she heard the
conversation between Monahau and the
defendant. She heard him ransacking
the house while the defendant was out
riding. She heard the conversation about
the razor and heard the defendant say
"If you don't go out I'll put this razor
through you, and will be justified in do
Ing So" Witness then went in and or
aud no blood. She heard Monahan ASK
the boy IL he did that, and the boy said he
knew nothing about IL.
Arthur ii. G.. Barnes, who also lives mt
the house, testified to Monahan's rum
maging tho house, and also corroborated
the last witness In other points.
The defense attempted to put in evi-
dence to show that Monahan had sufii-
GENTLY recovered his health within n
the yard. but this testimony was ruled