The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-07-27
BRISTOL'S SMART
SET IN COURT
Society Girl Fined Sl5 and
Costs On Assault Charge.
E.P THOMPSON COMPLAINANT 7
He Accuses Girl Of Striking Hin With Tho
Whip as She Was Driving on
Sidewalk.
Ftp THOMPSON COMPLAINANT

Bristol's district court room was
thronged with the elite OF the towns So
c,ety yesterday afternoon when society
girl, Miss Katherine l.. Tucker, was tried
and fined by Judge Bosworth. SIS and
costs OF s5 As on a charge OF having as
raulted Frank =. Thompson, neighbor
with n horse whip Social engagements
must have been cancelled right and LETT
for among those present looked not un-
like those who would be at n tea or garden
party reception. the list included Mr.. ana
Mrs 7 B. Herreshoff, Mrs. u. r. De Wolf
and Mrs ] c. Lincoln. and after them
came c. II. Wheelwright, Miss Mollie
wheelwright. Miss Helen Wheelwright,
Miss Alice Tucker and John Tucker SIS
ter and brother OF the defendant; Frank
Hayes Mrs. l.. 8. HOFFMAN, Miss Lavina
Hodgkinson, Miss Amy Hayes, Miss Bes-
sie wardwell. Miss Katherine Tucker: D.
r Tucker. Edward r. Ballou and Miss
Minnie Perry.
Thomas s. Cooney, OF Cooney & Cahiil'
OF this city. appeared for the complainant
and L s. HOFFMAN for the defence.
Frank p. Thompson told his story first.
He declared that he had stopped over 10
call his dog on the night In question ana
felt something strike him.
He said he saw horses head over ms
shoulder and shaft OF a carriage. and n
whip lash struck him. He grabbed the
animal and then as he jumped TO his ga te
ne saw Miss Katherine Tucker, he said,
in the carriage with raised whip. She was
saying. Get out OF my way Get out or
NV way!" He then went into his house.
ne declared. and swore that she gave him
no warning OF her APPROACH and that the
whip struck him on the Shoulder. Mr..
Thomson ssid he had seen the Tucker
boys drive over his sidewalk previously.
Didn't you threaten them? inquired
the counsel
Mr.. Cooney objected and the objection
was sustained by the court.
NO Personal FEELING.
The witness said he had feeling In the
matter OF riding on his sidewalk Il felt
as ~ we were being ridden over he
said. II had forbidden this woman or lady
driving on the sidewalk. but that night l
had not personal feeling"
He testified further that on the preced-
ing Thursday night Miss Tucker and her
brother had driven across his walk and he
had said then: "I wish you wouldn't drive
over this sidewalk"
He said that Il was alleged then that
they couldn't get the bridge over the gut
ter fxed and that the statement was
made that they would drive on the side
walk They didn't, however. he said. lie
admitted being rather angry at the time.
After the affair Saturday night he said.
he went to his piazza and said: "Go
along. I'll see you later but he did not
use any threats. He did not hear any
word of warning, he declared, until the
horse struck him.
Mr. Thompson was somewhat confused
under the severe cross-examination by
Mr. Hoffman and his lawyer undertook to
interfere, but after a passage at arms
with the opposing counsel sat down. Mr..
Thompson said later that he had been
troubled with sleeplessness after the en-
counter and had had medical attention.
He admitted grabbing the horses bride
and said he did so in order TO get the an
imal out OF the way. 30 he could get TO
his gate. Mr. Hoffman inquired II the de-
fendant had not told the witness that she
couldn't use the bridge until 1t had been
repaired by the town and wanted the
privilege OF driving on the sidewalk In or
der to reach her premises. Mr. Cooney OBJ
jected to the bridge being brought up.
MOVED TO DISMISS.
Judge Bosworth declared: 1.-The public
has no right to come on my land II the
highway Is out OF order"
The Judge spoke also on highway own
ershp, and gthe point was brought out
that Bristol Is peculiar in its highway
ownership, and finally the question was
dropped.
lHOulhS f. JONnSou anu JAMES II.
Corthell, neighborng residents on Union
street 10 Mr.. Thompson, said they saw
the horse stop and saw Miss Tucker lash
the animal with the whip but neither
could swear that Mr.. Thompson was
struck by the whip.
The complainant had no more wit
nesses and Mr.. Hoffman moved 10 dis
miss the charge against his client on
the ground that no intent to do injury
contradcted. declaring that the defend
ant had violated the town ordinance
against driving on the sidewalk. which
ne termed "a wilful violation"
The court ordered the case 10 continue
and Miss Katherine Tucker. the defend
ant. was called. The defendant made
an excellent impression on the stand and
answered all questions promptly and
without a tremor. She testified that Mr..
Thompson saw her drive up the road
and said she did not see him bending
over to call any dog.
He stood with his back toward me.
and as came along l said to him: Better
look out That was just az | turned
from the road on the walk about 25
feet away. I drove toward him and when
I saw he didn't intend 20 move l pulled
the horse up and turned him toward
the street. The horse stopped before IL
reached Mr.. thompson. couldn : reacn
him with my whip. In the first place,
because / didn't strike that way. l think
he threw himself az the horse and
caught the horse with both hands and
backed him. | knew the man was very
nngry and didn't know what he would
do.
HE GRABBED THE HORSE.
81 was afraid ~ him. He said: Now
I'm going to get a warrant for your ar
rest was afraid of being backed over
the bank I only said better look out
once. had explained 20 him why
drove on the sidewalk and he had told
me not 20 dare 20 drive on his walk
had told him that We couldn't use the
bridge and that l wished he'd complain.
He had 10 twist clear around 20 grab
the horse and when he threw himself
ct the horse he was close by the shafts
and that was when he was struck When
he gra bbed the horse ! used the whip on
the animal because / was afraid we'd
30 over the hank No. I didn't use the
whip before because I was afraid of
oxer Mr. ThOmreon. I atruCk