Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-29

| Coberth. charged with a criminal assault
| upon Miss Rose Holly at Germantown, thif
| county. about ten days ago, and who Is
| now In jail at this place. having been cap
| tured at Brunswick yesterday. will be given
preliminary hearing before Justice OF the
| Peace Joseph Reading next Monday morn
| ing.
Coberth has retained Edward c. Peter OF
Rockville to defend him. He was seen this
morning by the correspondent of The Star.
When asked to give his version of the affair
he at first declined to talk, stating that the
newspapers had been unfair to him and
that their reports were false in several par
ticulars. He was assured that anything
he might say would be published as given
and he finally made the following state
ment:
THE first I saw of this woman she was
sitting on the grass near the roadside
saw something was the matter with her
and went to her to see If could help her
IN any way. l soon saw she was intoxi-
Gated. l suggested that she accompany me
to my shop and she readily consented. My
only purpose was to care for her until she
was herself. With my assistance she arose.
but was SO drunk that she could not stand
alone. 1 caught hold of her arm and as
sisted her to my shop. Immediately upon
entering she lay down on a cot. had been
drinking. it is true but what happened in
that room was not my fault. She offered
every encouragement, and l was but hui
man. / gave her money and she accepted
1t. I did not detain her against her will.
/ did not know that the people of German
town were aware that we were in the shop
together until DIR. Rome and Mr. Pearrie
Waters came for the woman.
She at first refused to accompany them,
but wanted to remain with me- She was
not good woman, and this will be proven
at the trial Monday morning l opened my
shop for business as usual. Later in the
day I learned that the people were talking
hni tfo I he
leave until 1t had blown over. and that
evening put out. l travelled to Frederick
county by foot. and would still probably
be going but for the fact that my foot be-
came sore. l had heard that the false
newspaper reports had inf1amed the pub
lie mind. and I was anxious to get farther
away, but was afraid to take the train SO
near to home as that would be a give
away. 1 decided. however, to risk it. and
was in Brunswick for that purpose when
arrested. The past week has been a ter
rible one to me, and ! have suffered phys
ically well as mentally. l believe. now
ever, that the trial of the case will develop
the fact that my version of the affair Is
true one.
mo matter how the trial terminates.
realize / am ruined, although have been
too much addicted to the use of liquor. !
am satisfied the people of Germantown and
in that section of the county respected me:
l had built up a nice business, but even II
I am released I could not again show my
face In that community 1 fully realize the
disgrace, no matter who was to blame.
Coberth further stated that Miss Holly
had whisky with her and that the bottle Is
now In his shop at Germantown. He gave
his age as fifty-four and stated that he has
been separated from his wife for ten years
He attributed all his troubles. domestic and
other kinds. to the use of liquor. The ac-
cused formerly resided at Rockville, where
he followed his trade of blacksmithing.
When here he was known as a quiet. In
dustrious man. although he at times got un-
der the influence of liquor. In appearance
ne Is by no means depraved looking. The
published report of the likelihood Of lynch
ing is said to have been without founda-
ton. In fact, it is said that the accused Is
not without his defenders especially in the
Germantown neighborhood.