The times., 1899-06-22


pressed great surprise that such an amount
of bond should be accepted in the face of
the serious charge
Ii was understood last night that the
case would be called TO the attention OF
the grand jury today. and that speedy
trial would result.
The attempted shooting appears to have
been the result of a refusal on the part
of Mrs. Niles TO surrender to her hus-
band certain articles of jewelry which he
is said to have demanded of her. The
couple have not been living together for
some time, and it is understood that
legal proceedings for separation are now
being heard in the Circuit Court. Mrs.
Niles is the applicant for the divorce. and
makes ugly charges against her husband.
1t is claimed that he is fighting the suit,
and it is said that he has resorted TO every
possible means to accomplish its defeat.
Since the institution of the proceedings
the couple have lived apart, Mrs. Niles
leaving the home of her husband at 13S
Massachusetts Avenue and engaging
rooms at her present home.
After the separation il is said that Niles
frequently sent his wife delicacies, such
as flowers and ice cream, and that he has
also called on her, with the object, it is
said, of conciliating her. His attentions
appear not to have had the desired ef-
feet. He called at her house yesterday
morning and asked TO see Mrs. Niles He
had done so before, and. as he had al
ways been granted an interview, the lady
OF the house, who answered the sum-
mons at the door. admitted him. Mrs.
Niles was at breakfast AT the time. but
left the table to learn what her husband
wanted. He made his errand clear at
once by demanding the jewelry referred
TO. She refused TO surrender it, where
upon Niles is said TO have become violent
and abusive and 10 have said that he
would have the jewelry whether she
would give it up or not. He then ran up
stairs TO Mrs. Niles room where he made
a search of the4 bed in the hope of find
ing the jewelry. The articles. however,
were not in the bed but On the bureau.
Niles evidently did not see them, as he
turned over the mattress and tossed the
bed clothes aside.
When he discovered that the search had
been fruitless he desisted and took a seat
near the bed Mrs. Niles was seated on the
bed, as she had been during the time that
her husband was making the search. Niles
is then alleged TO have repeated his de-
mand for the jewelry and to have again
been refused. AT this he arose and going
toward Mrs. Niles said You won't give 1t
to me?" Mrs. Niles again replied in the
negative, whereupon the man is said to
have pulled a revolver from his pocket.
which he held near the face of his wife in
| threatening manner as he said, Now
will you give it to me?" The menacing
air and manner did not frighten Mrs. Niles,
and she answered firmly, No" Scarcely
had the words left her lips when Niles
fired.
The revolver was so close to the face of
Mrs. Niles that her eyes and hair were
filled with burned powder. She imagined
that she had been shot and naturally being
much excited fell back on the bed The
bullet had whistled by her head in close
| proximity, and after crashing through the
headboard of the bed had spent its force
against the wall behind it. The ball fell
| TO the floor in the midst of wood splinters
and plaster. Mrs. Niles has it and will
| use ii as evidence in the attempt on her
| life when the case is called for trial in the
| Criminal Court. The noise made by the
| explosion OF the pistol attracted the atten-
! tion of other persons in the house and they
rushed up stairs TO the room of Mrs. Niles
/ where the man was seized and overpowerel
/ before he could decide upon another shot
He appeared to think that he had killed
his wife and submitted to being led out
/ into the hall. where he was released and
| was allowed 10 leave the house. From
there he went to his own home. few doors
| distant, and after putting the revolver
away went down town TO his office.
When Mrs. Niles recovered from tn,
shock and excitement incident to hel
narrow escape she left her home anC
sought the advice of Attorney French
| who represents her in the suit for divorce
! She then went to the office of Justic,
! o'Neal and there procured a warrant TO
the arrest OF her husband. Armed will
the warrant she called at Police Headquar
ters and consulted with Inspector Board
man. with the result that the warrant wa
placed in the hands of Detectives Boyt
and Helan, and they served IL on Niles Il
his office. Niles was then taken 10 tn
Police Court with the result above stated
Niles declined to state anything concern
ing the affair.
When the fact became known that Nile
had been released. and particularly on s.
small a bond, considerable criticism wa
INDUCED in. The man was arrested ol
warrant charging assault with intent t
kill, and that is considered in the cate
CORY of crime as ranking next TO murder
The question was frequently asked, "Wha
is to prevent the man from going agai
to the house of his wife and again attempt
ing her life?" Persons who know Nile
said that 1t would not be surprising 70
the man in his present state of mind t
attempt TO consummate what he had faile
TO do yesterday morning.
Niles does not bear the best reputation
and is considered an ugly customer, par
ticularly when he is drinking, which i
said to be often the case. He has ha
numerous settos with lawyers and others
and only recently engaged in a fight wit
a Mr.. Dawson on the steps OF the Gunto
Building. Some time ago he was arreste
for passing alleged worthless checks an
recently was put out OF a theatre becaus
Of disorderly conduct. When under tn
influence of liquor Niles is said to b
abusive and insulting 10 such a degre
that he has often been threatened with
thrashing. He Is when in the conditio
mentioned, possessed with the idea tha
he has wonderful pugilistic abilities an
delights in exploiting 1t before weak per
sons. On more than one occasion he ha
been saved a thrashing by the interven
tion OF friends.
on on Their Honeymoon.