The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-30
Dr.. Edgar ]. Washington Boarded
Thomas Martins Car and Beat
Him in Passengers Presence.
HUSBAND WAS ARRESTED.
Mrs. Washington Claims Martin
Asked Her to Accompany
Him to a Wine
room.

Whether the law allows a man to assault
another In defense OF his wife's honor will
| be determined in the Dayton Street Police
Court this morning, when Doctor Edgar
James Washington OF No. 1900 Monroe
street is tried for disturbing the peace.
Doctor Washington administered 4 sound
thrashlng Saturday night to Thomas Mar
| tin, conductor on the Lee avenue division
| of the Transit Company. while the latter
was in the discharge of his duties.
After waiting on the corner of Fifteenth
and Chambers streets four hours for Mar
tin car 10 come along. Doctor Washing Ion.
in company with his wife. boarded the car.
The assault followed almost Immediately,
Doctor Washington striking the first tlow
as as, soon as he na , paid his fare; Iaauh
times, and according to witnesses he re-
ceived an unmerciful beating at the hands
Of his antagonist.
Motorman Arthur Thierauff attempted to
interfere in Martins behalf. but he was
prevented from doing by Joseph N
Meyers of No. 1705 Monroe street. a. friend
of Doctor Washington. who CHANGED to be
on the car.
Besides the combatants there were at
least dozen passengers on the car. all
of whom became greatly excited when the
assault was committed.
After Furnishing the conductor. Doctor
Washington apologized to his fellow-pas-
sengerss for disturbing their peace and ex-
planned that Martin had got only what he
well deserved.
according to the doctors version Of the
affair, Martin insulted his wife a few days
ago while she was a passenger on his car
by asking her TO accompany him to a wine
room. Mrs. Washington told her husband
of the insult and requested him to punish
the conductor.
What would you have me do to him."
asked the doctor. when he had heard his
wife's story You have only to give the
word, and 1 will kill him If you say so.I
Mrs. Washington told her husband that
she believed a sound thrashing would teach
the conductor a lesson. Accordingly. the
couple went out and waited for Martin 8
car to come along. When Mrs Washing
ton espied Martins car she informed her
husband, and the two boarded 1t, Mrs.
Washington getting on first and her hus-
band remaining the rear platform for
the purpose of making believe that he YVES
not with the lady.
When Martin went inside the car to col
lect fares. Doctor Washington says. he at
tempted to firt with his wife. The doctor
rushed inside and. without a word, drove
his fist into Martins face with enough
force to knock the conductor to the floor.
taliate. but before he could strike blow
the doctor had knocked him down again.
Then Martin signaled his motorrnan to
come to his rescue. but before the latter
could comply Meyers was upon his feet and
holding him at bay.
At Benton street the car was stopped and
police arrested Doctor Washington and
Meyers. The two were detained at the
released to appear in police court this morn
ing.
Doctor Washington is young man and
Of athletic build. His general appearance
which he administered to the conductor
Martin denied to the police that he had
insulted Mrs. Washington, but the latter
was positive in her Identification of him.