The evening times., 1899-01-20
FEARED A HoRsEWHIPPING.
Broker McCobb Hired Detectives to
Protect Him.

Protect Him.
New York, Jan. 20.-JameS Selden Nc
Cobb. Broad Street broker, suffered the
discomforts of an inquisiton yesterday in
the Centre Street police court. The per-
son on trial was Mrs. Florence La Rachelle
Martin, whose arrest Mr.. McCobb had
caused on the charge of annoying him and
threatening him with bodily harm. Mrs.
Martin smiled while her counsel, Benja-
min F. Steinhardt, of Howe & Hummel.
pursued the protesting Mr.. McCobb with
discomforting questions. Mrs. Martin is
accused of pursuing Mr. McCobb with de-
mands for the return of her child, the eX-
istence of which, the broker says, is en-
tirely in the womans imagination.
Mr.. Steinhardt questioned Mr.. McCobb
about his meeting Mrs. Martin when she
was the housekeeper of the University
Club. The witness occupied apartments
there. Mr.. Rappallo, Mr.. McCobb's law
yer. read several letters to show that his
client had been frequently threatened by
the prisoner. He laid particular stress on
the following communication, written to
Mr.. McCobb's business partner:
Tuesday Afternoon, Nov. s, 1898
Mr. Charles Head, No. j. Broad Street:
Dear Sir: After you read this letter will you
kindly hand it to MIR. James Selden Met Obj! Mr..
McCobb has treated most brutaly | have
twice suffered for him. Mary ,fcCreary
has told me and others she would shield Mr.. Me-
Cotrb because he could iniure her business They
both have sworn never gave birth to child.
3 Mr.. Maobh has forced me through star
vation to accept sl,O00 damages. He persuaded
me to give up position held for years to protect
him, and now he feels that he has been wrongcd.
| write you this To explain fully why shall give
Mr.. James selden McCobb horscwhpping in
the public streets the first time | see him. He
has been unmerciful to me. and shall tear the
veil from his face and let the public who is
been even consderate to me. repeat the first
time I see him shall horsewhip him, and shall
seek my opportunity. With respect, from
FLORENCE LA RACHELLE MARTIN.
Mrs. Martin seemed to regard the COM
munication as a humorous production and
smiled.
Mr. Cobb, after lengthy controversy
between counsel on legal points. said that
he had known Mrs. Martin since the spring
of 1897. He spoke of seeing her frequently
in the halls of the club house. Question
ed further with regard to the acquain-
tance, Mr. McCobb said that he was unable
to comprehend the question, and, although
the inquiry was read to him four times,
his understanding did not improve.
He emphatically denied that he had ever
recognized the woman's claim by giving
HeF hohey. lie salo ne iedTneo lnal an III
FAINT which Mrs. Martin called her own
was the child OF another woman. He was
warned by Mrs. McCreary, who attended
Mrs. Martin professionally. that he was
being imposed upon.
Mr. McCobb denied that he had caused
the woman to be elected from any hotel
He had preceived a letter from Mrs. Mar
tin six days before threatening him With
bodily harm. The witness admitted that
he had Mrs. Martin watched by detectives
'In view CT the fact that she killed a
man down South" said the witness, 81
considered her dangerous woman"
The hearing viii be resumed next Mon
day afternoon.