Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-21
HELD FOR CONSPIRACY
John q Bause Charged With a Oowardly
Crime.
An Alleged Plot to Compromise His
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Before
the Police Court.

During the trial in the Police Court this
afternoon of conspiracy case, In which
John H. Bause was defendant. Judge Miller
announced that no female will ever apply
to the Criminal Courts of this District in
vain when the protection of her virtue is
sought. Bause is a painter, and until a
snort time ago he had position in the
power house of the Capital Traction Com
pany His wife, Jennie Bause, who is
scarcely more than twenty years old, was
the most interested witness against him. for
1t was charged that he conspired with a
fellow painter to blast his wife's reputation
in order to procure evidence in a divorce
case.
About a year ago the child-wife was here
on visit to her sister. who lives in George
town. She had come here from her home in
Prince William county, Virginia, and while
here she met this painter, whose appear
ance is not that Of a man who would be
likely to take advantage of an innocent
country girl. But the evidence showed that
he did take advantage of her, for it was
commended that in order to esca pc prosecu-
ton for what he did, he married her. This
was in January. and the following month
he was the father of Jennie's child.
But his conduct toward her. she claimed,
was not such as to cause her to even sus-
pect that he loved her. 1t was positively
cruel. she said. but she had erred and was
endeavoring to make him Il good wife,
ana SO she put up with his conduct.
But the time came when his conduct be-
came unbearable. and she was abandoned
by him. in addition to being assaulted.
This was on the 18th of this month. and
for this conduct Prosecuting Attorney Null
lowry filed the charge of conspiracy in
place Of one of simple assault.
On this occasion, she told Judge Miller
her husband insisted her going with
him to the theater. and she went against
her protest. as. she said, she preferred
to remain at home with the baby The
theater was not reached. however, for
they stopped at the Baltimore House. ard
Ter husband ordered a bottle Of beer.
Then he went out and told her he would
return in few minutes.
He did not return, however, but went
Off. and was seen with Leeds and another
painter named Charles Kline. Leeds soon
appeared at the Baltimore House and in
duced her to go with him TO find the miss
ing husband. She was anxious about her
husband. and SO she went with him.
He took her to Lou Purke's house in the
DIVISION" the chld-wife not knowing
anything Of that locality. Then her hus-
band was conveniently outside. and when
they came out he assaulted his wife, who
had done nothing wrong in the house, and
lhen deserted her. Leeds also ran off
leaving the poor young woman alone in
the street.
The next day the husband fled suit for
divorce, and Lawyer John A. Clarke's serv-
iISo were SouSilt 10 champion the cause of
the wife. 1t vas because of his explanation
OF the case that the prosecuting attorney
Med the more serious charge of conspiracy
Several witnesses were examined as to
the conduct of the husband. and it appear
ed that he had made an engagement with
Kline for the very time he was to have
been with his wife
Then Judge Miller had something to say
He had heard but one side of the case, it
W as true. but the prima facie case showed
very sadly the need of an amendment to
punish people who totally disregard female
virtue Ill the way charged. He referred to
Mrs. Bause as poor, ignorant, weak and
unsophisticated country girl. and said it
was hard to keep his thoughts to himself
nave my own opinion about these
things said the judge. land know Of the
absolute inadeqracy of the law to protect
female virtue. but there are no words in
the English language which will express
my feelings. This case appears from the
Proof to be a diaboicaI attempt to blast
the girl forever and get rid of her
"A man with soul and heart can't talk
about it, the judge said
In conclusion he held the husband for
the action of the grand jury and fixed the
bond at $1,000.