The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-09

It is nothing unusual to hear pathetic
stories and tales Of tribulations in the Po-
lice Court In fact the recounting Of suf-
fe.ing and trouble is a daily occurrence.
Sometimes the cases are aggravg ted, but
seldom. if ever. Is a case heard which in
any way could compare with &C which
was brought before Judge Mills this morn
ing
According to Judge Mills, the case was
the worst that had ever come under his
obse ryation during MS long experience on
the bench. and he expressed himself in
strong terms concerning il.
Specifically the case appeared to be
nothing more than one Of disorderly con-
duct and profanity, with John Walsh, OF
Scott Avenue as the defendant. Policeman
Coffin and R. H. landslide appeared as the
complaining witnesses, and il was their
testimony which revealed the true condi-
ton of affairs. Their statements Mortified
Judge Mills, the court attaches, and spec
tat5rs and shocked even the prisoners in
the dock.
According TO the prosecuting witnesses,
Walsh's wife had been i'll for several Gays
and suffered additionally because Of the
alleged neglect of her husband Last night
Mrs Walsh's condition became alarming
and neighbors realizing that the woman
was dying sent for physician and priest
In the meantime Walsh had arrived on the
scene considerably under the influence OF
fiauor. il was said. He became very dis
orderly and pTofane, addressed harsh ian
guage to his dying wife, and absolutely
refused 10 desist when demonstrated with.
Finally the conduct OF Walsh reached
a climax when he refused 10 allow either
the priest or physician to enter the room
of the dying woman. He declared that
they should not minister unto Eer ana
roundly abused them.
The situation OF affairs aroused the N
dignation of the neighbors. They realized
that WaIsh's conduct was only Mastering
the end of his wife's life. and ii was de
,c;ded 10 have the drink-crazee husband
locked up Policeman Coffin was then ap-
healed 10, and he, after considerable DIM
cuItv. succeeded in lodging Walsh at the
stationhouse-
cerated his wife passed away. Her bed
was surrounded by FIVE small children,
whose grief was pitiful te behold. Friends
cousoled them as best they could, but KIND
words were not calculated TO assuage the
sorrow of the little ones whose mother
Law dead and whose father, in state OF
INVESTIGATION, lay behind the bars of a sta
effort the children were quoted, and then
i was decided to acquaint Walsh with the
fact that his wife was dead. The duty
deyoIyed upon Mr. Lansdale, an uncle OF
th, deceased and according to his tesu-
nony this morning, when he told Walsh
of his wife's death he received the reply,
"ATI right; am glad the old bag IS dead
In his defence Walsh claimed that the
sudden illness of his wife Frustrated aim.
He was so overcome, he said, that he
ATTEMPTED to drown his sorrows in drink.
He was not responsible for his actions or
what he said He also claimed to have
loved his wife dearly, and said he was at
all times Ioath to abuse or mistreat her.
Judge Mills thought the excuse offered
| by Walsh a very poor one He said that
even though Walsh was overcome by the
sudden illness of his wife there was no ex-
| cuse for his conduct and particularly for
his remark at the stationhouse when ap-
nriced of his wife's death. Judge Mills
added that he had never been confronted
with such a case. He said Walsh was a
| hrute and deserving Of the most severe
penalty the law provided.
/ 81 would send you to the workhHuse IN
| serve the maximum sentence as you de-
serve" said Judge Mills, land then consid-
er the punishment insufficient were it not
for the fact that your children ere alone
! and unable to make arrangements for the
| funeral Of your dead wife. Those facts
| alone save you from going to the work
| house. AS it is now 1 do not want to make
| your children suffer and viii release you on
| your personal bonds to appear in this court
enc week from today for sentence. 1 trust
you will be a good man during the interilsl
i as it may benefit your case
Walsh was then released, in order that
he might he able to arrange for and at
| tend the funeral Of his wife and prov de
| for his children
James Smith, Patrick Danaher, and
William Moore were afraignea on complaint
| of Policemen Bradley. Hagan, and Payne
| All were charged with yagraney, and the
| accused entered pleas Of not guilty.
Judge Mills was convinced of the guilt