Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-05-16

THE MISUNDERSTANDING Thomas
J. Mackey and his wife, Katherine
Mackey, VINO was recently adjudQed in
sane by Justice Cole, In Washington,
left their boarding place on Prince
street. this city, last night, under some
what exciting circumstances. They
boarded an electric Car bound for Wash
iDgtoD, but alighted at Arlington juno
ton, where they waited for some time
and then returned to this city. They
did not return 30 the Prince street
house. however, but sought quarters at
Ills King street. Prior to their de-
psrture from this city there was quite
scene in front of 1104 Prince street,
where the Msckeys boarded. An ex-
cited crowd of people gathered, and all
sorts of indignant comments aud ex-
pressions of sympathy for Mrs. Mackey
were heard. Early ia the day some
trouble occurred bet Seen Judge Mack.
ey and a fellow.boarder, and during
the alteration Mackey was upbrsided
by his wife. Angry words passed be-
tween the two, with the result that
at three o'clock Mackey left
the house, saying he would not return
He did return, however, about dusk,
when another quarrel ensued between
him and his wife. During this quarrel
the lsndlady swooned and had to be
carried from the room. At her re-
quest the police were summoned, and
Lieut.. Smith and Policeman Sherwood
soon appeared on the scene. At the
request of the landlady Lieut.. Smith
suggested to Mackey the advisability
of seeking other quarters, as his pres
ence at 1104 Prince street was not de-
sirable. At this time Mrs. Mackey ex-
pressed desire to speak privately to
Lieut.. Smith, but her aged husband de-
clined to permit it. Finally the Mac
keys left in search of other quarters, but
we're unable to procure accOmm0da.
tons, and at about 8 o'clock returned
for their trunk and left the city on the
8 80 train. Quite crowd Of men and
women followed them, and the parting
between Mrs. Mackey and the few ladies
with whom she had become acquainted
during her stay here was most affecting.
Later in the night, as stated above,
they returned to MIS-. Hines boarding
house, No. Ills King street, where
they spent the night, but left there this
morning at $50 o'clock, saying they
we're going to Rosslyn. They left their
trunks at Arlington junction la, t night
Yesterday Judge and Mrs., Mackey did
not seem to De on amicsble terms.
Judge Mackey said while 10 this CT y
Yesterday that be was willing to die
solve his marital relations with bis
wife, but not on condition that she be
placed ln an asylum; this he said he
would not consent to.
Sanitary Officer J. A. Frank, OF
Washington, yesterday received two
letters from Col. G. A. Porter6eld, the
father of Mrs. Mackey The one re
ceiyed early in the day contai ed tele-
gram which Mr.. Porter6eld said he had
received ir IN Judge Msckey last Mon
day. The dispatch resds: Come i'm
mediately; cannot continue guardian
ship: will renounce marital rights con-
ditionally." Col. Porlerfeld's letter
inclosng this message, read. in part, as
follows: II will, if possible, send my
son tomorrow Tuesday to aid in tak-
ing Mrs. Maokey to the asylum. ! am
UNEQUAL to the task myself" About
4 o'clock Mr.. Frank received an
other letter from the father dated
May IL, and reading; u find that
my son cannot go to Washington today.
| Mackey may bring mis- wife back to the
CITY, as infer from his telegram that
she is no better. While / would prefer
hat some of her own family should go
with her TO the ssy um, yet he (M } may
oe willing to go. If necessary, wire me
at my expense. Her brother can 20
down tomorrow (the 18Th Her trunk
will be sent rs soon as she goes"
After receiving these letters Mr'
Frank said he could take no further &C.
ton until Mrs. Mackey should return
to the District oil Columbia. Mr.. Frank
said that as the case now stands Mrs.
Msckey has been adjudged insane and
he has the papers for her commitment
to St. Elizabeth's Asylum. He said he
would send these papers to the asylum
authorities today.