Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-10
JOHN STREETS BRUTALITY
Convicted in Police Court of Breaking His
9sVifsS Jaw.
The Woman Was Otherwise Seriously
in'"red-nefePd.pt Reproved for
Grinninslseafence Imposed.

John Street, whose occupation is stated
to be that of bar tender, was today con-
victed before Judge Kimball and jury of
assaulting and breaking the jaw of his
wife, Mrs. Mabel Street
Mrs. Street, who is a very. slender little
woman. appeared in court with her face
pandaged. She presented a pitiable ap-
pearance. The prisoner, who occupied
seat by his counsel ]. Mcdowell Caring
ton. endeavored, before his wife took the
stand. to persuade her to desist from prose-
cutting him.
Failing to accomplish this, Street ap-
peared to regard the whole matter as a
joke, and grinned almost continuously I'M
I'll the court rebuked him for his levity.
Major Darlington Immediately stated that
he thought the court was mistaken in
thinking that Street was laughing. Judge
himoall replied that he himself saw the
prisoner grlnning. and that he must stop 1t.
Mrs. Streets Story.
Upon taking the stand Mrs. Street, who
was scarcely able to talk said that on the
evening of the Oath of August her husband
came to their home, and after some con-
Versation in reference to Streets desire to
furnish male companion of his with sup
per, and which she refused to agree to-
struck her in the face and broke her jaw
pone Previously. she said, he had beaten
ner IN the side and injured her seriously
since her jaw was broken, she said, she
mad not been able to take any but liquid
food.
She declared that Street had posed as a
single man, and though she had several
times had him arrested for his abuse of her
she mad always heretofore let up on him.
On one occasion when she had a warrant
out Tor him, her husband threatened that
| II she did not have the warrant revoked he
ana friend of his above referred to would
say something against her character. This
had reference to the fact that her husband
mad permitted the friend to occupy a bed in
the room where they slept
MRS. Hurley, mother of Mrs. Street, said
that on the night of the assault she met
street some distance away from the house
OF her daughter. and that Street asked her
10 see Mabel, as he had struck her in the
Jaw, and he thought had hurt her a good
deal; that he had done so because she made
MN mad. Mrs. Hurley said she had taken
care OF both her daughter and the latters
husband for long time, and despite this
street last winter attempted to assault his
wife with a knife.
Serious Affair.
Dr. Hooe, who attended Mrs. Street for
her injuries, said that while the breaking of
MIS- streets 5awbone was very serious
AFFAIR, the injury to her side was in his
Judgment, much more serious. and that she
would be much longer in recovering from
1t than from the other hurt.
Officer Newkirk arrested Street He tes-
t'1led that the prisoner asked, when taken
irto custody, whether or not his wife was
| seriously hurt, and wanted the officer to
! let him go back to his wife, so that he
could make an effort to compromise the
case. He claimed that Mrs. Street had
struck him with a brick He also demand
ed to know if the, policeman had a warran.
| for him. but was Informed that the offense
charged was of a serious character, and
that warrant was not necessary.
In His Own Behalf.
Street was sworn In his own behalf, and
| in reply to qrestons from his counsel
made a long, rambling and at times inco-
herent statement, declaring that Ills wife
broke her jaw by failing over a box in the
hall Of their house. H.
Prosecutor Mullowny offered to submit
the case to the jury without argument,
but Maj. Darlington would not consent to
this and Mr.. MulloWny then waived the
right OF making an opening statement.
Maj. Darlington made long and earnest
plea in behalf Of his client, to which Mr..
Mullowny replied. After the usual charge
by Judge Kimball, the jury took the case
and in few minutes rendered verdict
of guilty.
Court Passes Sentence.
Immediately after the rendition of the
verdict the court took recess for three
quarters of an hour. Upon reassembling
Judge Kimball stated he had been Informed
that Major Darlington, counsel for the
prisoner did not desire to be present when
sentence was passed, and Mr.. Mulowney
asked Street how much time he had pre-
viously served in jail for beat ting his wife
Ten days." he replied. Il was sentenced
for sixty days. but only served ten days"
How did you get out?' was the next
inquiry.
my wife paid the fine" answered the
prisoner.
well. your honor here is a pretty state
of affairs" commented Mr.. Mullowney.
This man. whose little wife paid his fine to
get him out of Jail, has had the impudence
you know, to get on the stand and try to
defame her character"
"one of the meanest things in the world
for a man to do, observed the court, lis
to strike woman, but the meanest of all
for q man to strike his wife. Street, you
have been convicted by a jury of breaking
your wife's jaw. and besides, you injured
her side, as the doctor said. How you, who
call yourself q man, could be guilty of such
actions is more than 1 can conceive of. and
am going to give you the full benefit Of
the law. You are sentenced to imprison-
ment in Jail for 1854 days."
Threatens TO Get Revenge.
Street was at once taken to the cell room
by Bailiff Darr. and on the way he told Mr..
Darr that he intends when released to kill
MS WIFE, Inc threat maze Dy street was
duly reported to Prosecutor Mullowney,
who will, 1t is safe to say, see that Mrs.
Street is properly protected when her hus-
band Is again at liberty.
Vice Consul mt Cape Town.
Mr.. Alfred H. Mason has been appointed
vice and deputy United States consul at
Cape Town.. South Africa, to succeed Mr..
Clifford H. knight. Mr.. Mason has lived
in Cape Town since 1893. He was born in
Rockford. ILL.,. and was resident of Mich
igan for many years.