Sunday Washington globe., 1902-02-23

Dr. Wilson l. Best, of New York, is
distinguished and valued addition to the
population of the Capital Of the Nation.
He is man OF iron nerve aud no doubt an
accomplished physician He has succeeded
in convincing Assistant District Attorney
Muilowny Judge Kimball and large sec
tion of the public that the Edmunds law Is
a childish statute. better complied with IN
the breach than IN the observance, but he
has blufed the husband, brother, brother
iu-law and other male relatives of Mrs. Ida
A. Brock, of Boston, into semi-admission
that he had perfect right to take her away
from Boston aud live with her, but that he
did mertorious act for which he ought to
be commended, instead of being subjected
to the humiliation of arrest.
This city has been lamentably weak in
dearth of bold champions of free love and
promiscuous intercourse. Not but what the
doctrine has probably more devOtees in
Washington than elsewhere, but they have
been timid in coming out and boldly an
nouncing their convictions on the matter.
They have preferred to practice the doctrine
in peace and quietness, keeping their
mouths shut on the abstract theory Of
whether 1t is morally right or wrong.
Not SO Dr. Wilson L Best, of New York.
Caught or rather arrested red handed and
in the act, as it we're, he asserted his right
to protect a woman whose husband got mad
over the trihing little circumstance that the
doctor was her star boarder and that she en-
joyed his panionship more than she did
her liege lord. The account Of this affair as
given by the husband of Mrs. Brock Is
lucid cool circumstantial II is in sub
stance that the troubles in his household
began less than year ago when DR.. Best
arrived at a boarding house in Boston
where the Brooks we're making their home
The doctor was prepossessing, and had a
knowledge of the world that soon made him
an interesting companion for Mrs Brock ,
who was left alone great deal by her busy
husband Brock was at that time engaged
in the laundry business, and was away from
the boarding house nearly every night In
the week. The friendship between the
doctor and Mrs. Brock grew more and more
in evidence. Brock, 1t is claimed, was not
averse to having the New Yorker pay atten-
ton to his wife. He often made II possible
for them to enjoy various amusements to-
gether and he sometimes furnished them
with tickets for the theater.
Early last fall Mrs Brock decided TO
start a boarding house on her own account,
and when we'll established the New Yorker
was taken in as the star boarder. He made
himself perfectly at home. and was as
agreeable as ever.
One day Brock returned after prolonged
absence aud found a note left by
the doctor for Mrs. Brock. Only
Brock aud the doctor knew Of the
contents of the little slip of paper,
but whatever il was the husband became
furious and left the house in rage. The
doctor remained. Not long afterward
Brock -eturned to the house and raised a
storm. He called his wife and the doctor
to account, aud ended it all by insisting
that the New Yorker care for Mrs, Brock
from that time on He would drop out Of
the family arrangement. At least this IS
the story as related by Dr. Best and Mrs.
Brock when arrested in this city Wednesday
last Mr.. Brock, who came on here from
Boston, caused the arrest Of the couple and
charged the doctor with a violation Of the
criminal statutes. Now il appears from the
statements of the doctor and his mistress,
nee Mrs. Brock that they only too willingly
and literally obeyed the husbands injunc
ton to flock by themselves. DR.. Best and
Mrs. Brock packed their trunks and came
to Washington about the Ist of January, ex
pecting to locate here permanently and
live as husband aud wife. They secured
apartments and lived quietly without sus
picion Of the trouble brewing. The doctor
provided part of the means OF living and
Mrs. Brock also contributed to their sup
port As far as can be learned her efforts
IN this line brought about the arrest of her
self and her companion, for the husband
back in Boston, suspected that she had
taken OF his means when she left the city
Brock came to Washington and had little
trouble in locating his wife and Dr. Best
He had warrants prepared for their arrest
and these we're gwen into the hands Of De.
tective Evans, Of the Second precinct, for
service. He found the doctor and Mrs
Brock together at their apartments and took
them to the Second precinct station. They
were very much surprised at being taken in
to custody, and protested against being
locked up. Their baggage was also removed
TO the station house aud Is now in the
charge Of the police.
DR.. Best declared on his arrest that he
would fight the prosecution Of the case as
far as possible, and insisted that the COM
plainant Is as much at fault as he for the
trouble
When the case came up in Police Court
the next morning before Judge Kimball the
husband was present, expecting that the
case would be called aud disposed Of with
out delay, but a continuance was asked for
by the prisoners. The request was granted
By the court, but before the matter was
dropped a brother OF Mrs Brock appeared
aud stated that her mother, as a result OF
the unfortunate affair, was very III at her