Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-07
SENT TO THE GRAND JURY.
The Case of Frank Ward for Entering ii
News CompaDy's Building.

The Case of Frank Ward for Entering the
News CompaDy's Building. .
In Judge Miller's court today Prosecuting
Attorney Mullowney called attention of the
court to the case of Mr.. Frank X. Ward.
charged with violation Of law growing out Of
the trouble at the Ward building, Nos 929 and
931 d street northwest, now occupied by the
Ecening Ne,rs Company.
The facts of the case were printed in The
STAR at the time Of the trouble Forcible
entry and detainer was the charge against Mr..
Ward, and his counsel, Mr.. George X. French,
entered plea Of not guilty.
Mr.. George A. Shehan was first called and he
testified that he was trustee and part owner of
the building. He was put in possession of the
building by a decision of Justice O'Neil in a
suit of ejectment On the date charged
he said he found locks broken from
the door and the furniture owned by the news
paper company was found the sidewalk.
Witness explained that his action before the
justice was to get possession OF the
building for non-payment of rent, and
the action was brought against the
Kingsley Bros. Company. Witness had
never consented to the subletting of the prem
Uses under the Kingsley lease. Witness did not
know that Mr.. Ward broke into the place He
swore out a warrant for Mr.. Ward charging
housebreaking because he was advised to do SO
by his counsel in order to get possession of the
building. Witness then explained how checks
had passed between the parties, and he also
exhibited the legal papers concerning the lease
and suit in ejectment.
CONSTABLE KIRBY's STORY.
Wallace W. Kirby, constable, testified that
he served the writ of execution, got possession
and left a Waterman in charge OF the building.
When he returned the next morning the watch
man was not there.
He found Mr. Ward in possession, and the
latter refused to let him in. Witness after
ward broke open the door in the rear with a
sledge hammer and regained possession of the
building.
Dennis Dinsen. watchman, testified that he
locked up the building and then went upstairs
to his room on the fourth floor, and when he
came down stairs Mr.. Ward in possession.
Witness had been told by Mr.. Shehan and
Mr.. Kirby that the Erening Ners Company
mad possession of the building from December /.
Constable Kirby was recalled and he
testified that he had told Mr.. Ward
about the writ and they spoke pleasantly
and made q satisfactory arrangement, SO he
thought. Witness had the writ, but Mr.. Ward
did not see 1t at that time. He afterward had
the writ in his hand while he was there in the
building, but he could not say that Mr.. Ward
saw it,
This closed the testimony and the Judge said
jury unless Mr.. Ward could show that he had a
right to possession or that he did not partici-
pate in regaining possession, az charged.
MR.. WARDS STATEMENT.
Mr.. Ward was sworn, and he made state.
ment of the affairs of the Milk Producers and
Consumers Association, which, he said. bough,
out the Kingsley Company. He told of his bust
ness relations with Mr.. Shehan and
said he thought Mr.. Shehans object was to
shut him out of his proposed $4,000 deal in
order to get the $4,000 from the Neaos Com
pany.
In conclusion defendant said he was ready
and willing to settle the rent now.
Mr.. Mullowney asked defendant where he
got his pistols and he answered that he did not
have pistols.
"You had pistol?" queried Mr.. Mullowney.
"Yes, SIR"
"where did YOU. get it?"
"Mr Kirby had Threatened to break open the
door and take possession and I got the pistol SO
he could see 1t and would enter at his peril
1T was loaded?"
"No, sir. 1t WAS empty. 1 took that pre-
caution and told my friend to bring it empty ~
Witness said that he was hanging on to the
place, hoping to get some capital. Mr.. Stilson
Hutchins, he said, was willing to put In some
money What he wanted was to take out what
property there was in the building belonging to
the association.
Counsel discussed the facts in the case, and
Judge Miller thought that the grand jury had
better inquire into the facts. The case was
sent TO the grand jury, and the court fixed the
bond at S300