Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-15
ATTORNEY NILES is FINED
Convicted Today in Police Court of Assault
ing Oliver O. Hack
Trouble Grows Out of the Demand for
Payment of a Check-The
Evidence.

Edward G. Niles, lawyer. was today
fined $50, or, in default, sentenced to thirty
days in JAIL by Judge Mills for commit
ting assault on Oliver c. Hack, Febru-
airy L. Mr.. Hack had hardly begun to tes-
tify, and had only said that a certain check
in question was given to the proprietress
of house south of the avenue when Niles
jumped up and said:ti I
Il object. Shut up your mouth
Judge Mills here interposed by saying to
Miles, 49,
You are represented by counsel, the
government by Mr.. MuIlowny, and the
court has something to say. Sit down and
let your counsel conduct your case
This had the effect. of quieting the de-
PENDANT. =
Resuming, Mr.. Hack said he was en-
ployed by the Castelberg National Jewelry
Company as a clerk. He received a check
IN the regular course of business, given by
Niles, and on the day named went to Niles
once with the check, which called for So
rms mad been presented at the bank upon
fused.
Upon requesting Mr.. Niles to make the
check good, witness said he was asked if
the house by which he (witness) was en-
ployed collected for houses of question
able repute. Niles refused to pay the check
and said he would pay the woman TO whom
he had given it.
Niles then demanded the check and wit
ness refused to let him have it. Niles then.
witness said. struck him, knocked him
down and kicked him in the head. Niles
then called on his clerk to lock the door of
the Office. but this was not DONE After
witness got up from the floor, he said.
Niles grabbed him around the throat end
apparently tried to choke him.
Judge o. d. Barrett, counsel for Niles.
crcss-eXamined Mr.. Hack at much length.
Mr.. Davison's Testimony.
Mr. Clement Dawson testified that the
day of the assault Mr. Hack, after going
to see Niles in reference to the check. re-
turned to the store in a badly beaten cen
dftion. He had wounds en- his face and a
large lump on his head. Mr.. Hacks whole
appearance was that of a man who had
been beaten numerically.
Continuing Mr. Dawson said that the
day following thu assault on Mr.. Hack
Niles Ca me up to Mr.. Castelberg's store and
informed the witness and several others
that he CNiles) had kicked Mr. Hack ont of
the formers Office because he had called
on him in reference to the payment of a
check held by Mr.. Castelberg, and if there
was anybody else there who wanted any-
thing like he had given to Mr.. Hack and
would come down to the latter's office he
would give him some of the same
Niles then left the store. the witness
said, but later returned and apologized to
MeSSIS bdVlSOA, 11dSh duu SdSIGlDeTR Tor
his conduct.
In His Own Defense
The defendant took the stand and admit
ted that he assaulted Mr.. Hack but claim
ed that he did not do so until after Mr..
Hack called him liar, and this was, he
said what "any gentleman would do under
similar circumstances" He denied knock
ing Mr.. Hack down, and said 1t was i'm
possible to conceive that he would kick the
complainant as charged; he would not do
such thing.
On cross-examination by Mr.. Mullowny,
Niles admitted that after beating Mr. Hack
he paid Mr.. Castelberg the amount Of the
che ok in question, but reiterated that he
vas justified in his course because, as he
alleged, Mr.. Hack had treated the witness
in an insulting manner. He further ad-
mitted having said that he kicked Mr..
Hack out of his office, but asserted that
this was merely figure Of speech; that he
had only severely whipped him by using
his fists S III
Charles w. Slater and Charles Parkman
| heard Mr.. Hack screaming loudly, as
though some one was, striking him.
Judge Mills said the charge of assault
| was Clearly made out and imposed the
penalty stated. The defendant at once
paid the fine. ef-r5yJ
Before leaving the court room Mr.. Niles
asked Mr. Mullowny If he would give him
warrant for Mr. Hacks arrest on the
charge of perjury, but was told that he
| CNiles) had better think further over the