New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-19
WITNESS IN THE CASE.

THE TREATMENT OF A WOMAN
WITNESS IN THE CASE
A suit brought against Charles H. Ropes men,
Der Of the Stock Exchange and Of several clubs In
this city, by Andrc de Ia Piechardiere OF No. 4'i
West One-hund red and-ffteth-st. to recover $5O
damages for assault. as the result Of which. he
alleges, his health and nervous system have
been permanently impaired placed on trial yes
terday In the Supreme Court before Justice Book
staver and a jury Plechardieres wife Is fashion
able dressmaker who numbered Mrs. Ropes among
her customers. and the alleged assault occurred
while Plechard lere was delivering a dress skirt at
Ropes's house. No. 2i2 Central Park West.
According to Piecharderes story yesterday the
dress was In box, attached to which was a bill
for Si2, representing his wlfe's labor. A servant
admitted him to Ropess house and gave him seat
In the front hail moment later Ropes appeared
and comma nded him to take a seat on bench In
the servants room. This Pechardere refused to
do and Ropes left him. After waiting in the hall
for twenty minutes. PIechardiere said. he became
tired. and taking his bundle and bill. started to
leave.
"As reached the front door," said Piechardlere,
II felt somebody grab the box. As turned around
received n Violent blow In the eye. which knocked
me down a flight OF stone steps. landed on the
sidewalk and soon a.tcrward lost consciousness.
The next thing / remembered | In a carriage
my way home. l had been picked up by g. II.
Gregory, OF No Il West Forty ghth-st., who put
me Into the carriage. AS result OF the assault
my lungs have been permanently Affected
Picchardiercs story OF the actual assault was cor
robora Ted by Mr. Gregory and Mrs Dorothea Bar
rach, OF No. 22l East Eighty-seventh-st. Mr..
Gregory that he had seen Ropes push
Pechardere. who is frail. gray-haired old man.
down the steps After picking the old man up. he
ran up the steps and demonstrated with Ropes.
The latter tried justify his action and wanted to
pay the amount OF the bill Immediately
nd
citing incident occurred in court The woman is
a dressmaker, and her husband IS an expressman.
She gave her testimony in straightforward man.
ncr, and told OF Witnessing the assault on PIE
chardlege. As soon as she had finished her direct
| examination A. II. Clapp. who iS associated with
George Gordon Battle. counsel FOR MT Ropes: arose
ana asEed; is II nIt All Rnness house thai
night 70 meet a strange man"
At the question Mrs. Barrach jumped up ex-
rage. exclaimed: "You had better take care what
questions you ask me- sir was there in com
AK m" any such question" A. tho same time the
jurymcn arose and angry protested
and should be allowed
Il appeal to the Court" said the foreman. John
As soon as he could make himself heard. JUS
tlco Bookstayer ordered the question stricken from
llttor made faint effort NJ exp anation. but his
voice Vas drowned by the angry huzz OF yo.ce s.
called 10 attend Piechardiere. He said that lung
trouble and nervous complications were the result
OF tho episode
For the defence. Mr.. Clamp entered q general de-
NAL OF the assault. and said that the plaintiff had
slipped ard fallen. Mr. ROnes the FIRST Wit
ness n his own behalf. lie admitted having tussled
with PlccharGicre FOR possession Of tho box. and
said that in tho tusse tho plaintiff fell of the
st0og
deposition by Or John Tguax was next read
Nv Mr. Clapp II said that when he examined him
Or TruaX found that Piechardiore was only suf-
forinc from bad 'eo'h and = few minor complaints
As Mr. Clapp sat down. Mr.. GilhoOly, counsel for
IN" phiniiN. exclaimed; why don't you hniSh
that deposition? Read the last paragra phi"
Mr Clapn SAID he didn't think u had any bear
Ing on tho cat SO. but finally read f. II stated that
the plaintiff m!sht have suffered from the assault
prior 10 the examination.
other dispositions were read and to-day the law
yers VIII sum up.