The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-07-23
DRAMATIC SCENE IN CHURCH.
Mrs. Williams Points Her Finger
at County Physician 0'Reilly.
lie Fears She Will XIII Him and
VIII Have Her Arrested.

ELIZABETH. y. j.. July 23.-County
Physician O'Rcllly this morning secured
"A warrant for the arrest of Mrs. Will
iims. the widow Of capt. George Will
Jams, who was one of the best known
water mer IN the Kills and New YORK
Harbor. She is charged with threaten
ing DR.. o. ,eil!y's life.
Capt. Villa Ms Fed about a year ago,
leaving considerable real estate and three
tugboIts. by clausN in his will he be-
queuthed 20 his sister. Mrs. Lawrence
Ryan of Brooklyn. his shares in build
ing ard loan ass )Ciation here, valued at
81 100. Mrs. Williams. his wife took eX-
ception to this brquo st. and claimed her
husband was not in his right mind when
he made It, Il /" alleged that Mrs. Ryan
and Mrs. Williams were not OH good
terms. and on this account the wife was
very angry that her sister-in-law SHOULD
get any OF her husbands wealth.
Mrs. Williams engaged Judge McCor-
mack to contest the will for her, and
Mrs. Ryan engaged Judge Gilhooly. The
matter came to an issue few weeks
ago N the Court of Chancery. Mrs.
williams was beaten. but she Is still
full of fight, and has appealed the case
to the court of last resort;
County Physician O'Reilly was the
doctor who attended Capt Williams IN
his final illness, and Il was his test
case in Mrs. Ryan's favor. DR.. O Reilly
testified that capt. Williams was per-
fectly sane when he devised his VIII.
The wife, it is said, conceived bitter
hatred Of the physician on this account.
| and. IT IS alleged. made threats that she
would get square with him; 1t is even
alleged by Dr. O,Reiliy's lawyer that
Mrs. Williams said she would shoot tho
doctor or blind him with vitriol, and
that she carries pistol.
The climax came at yesterdays ser
vices at st. Pattick's Church. Mrs. VIII.
Jams, who is ii fine-looking woman. was
sitting in a pew elegantly dressed. and a
few peNs ahead of her sat DIR. O'Reilly
suddenly when Rev. Father Meehan be-
seat. and going forward to the altar rail.
| ing. knelt for couple of minutes and
bowed her head as If in silent prayer ,
She then arose ard. wheeling around
so that she faced the immense congrega.
| ton, she level;ed the middle finger of her
| right hand a; DR.. o. Reilly, II is said
while her eyes flashed fire. TIE priest
| spectacle, while the awcd congregation
did no, know, what to make. of the
woman's conduct. After maintaining
| this attitude for nearly a minute, the
woman returned to her seat and re-
| sumed praying. shortly after, It Is al.
| Legged, she repeated her previous per
| formance, and then abruptly left the
| church while the services were still
| going on.
pr O'Reily his face very pale. also
| quickly vacated his seat and retired to
| the vestry- room for safety. as he feared
| the woman would return. He held a
consultation with Father Meehan and
| his lawyer after tie services were over,
and it was decided that Mrs. Williams
should be arrested. a warrant for her
arrest was drawn UP this morning. and
| 1t Is expected she Will be taken into GUS
| tody this afternoon. DIR. OReilly says
| that he intends to wear glasses to pro-
| tcct his eyes against any vitriol which
| the cnraged woman may throw at him.