Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-09-05
MOB ASSAUL IS EARLE.
Artists Neighbors Beat Him For
 Casting Off His Wife.
CROWD TELLS FOR A ROPE.

Violent Demonstration In Monroe FoI-
 lows Return Home of Earle After
 Seeing His Wife Off For Paris In Quest For Divorce.
 New York, Sept 5.-The American published story to the effect that Ferdinand P. Earle, the artist, upon reaching Monroe after having shipped his wife and child to Europe in order that he may marry his souls affinity" fell into the waiting and welcoming arms of mob.
 The mob, composed exclusively of Earles neighbors and former friends, dragged him from his carriage, which they overturned, trailed him in the mud dashed him with a horsewhip and might have responded to the re- peated suggestions that a rope be se- cured had not the mayor of the village and the chief of police recalled them to their senses and given Earle safe conduct to his home.
 Thunderstorm Gave Dramatic Setting.
 A violent downpour of rain fell throughout the half hour that the wife sacrificing artist was at the mercy of the mob, and frequent flashes of light ming and crashes of thunder lent fur ther picturesqueness to the sensational scene.
 Earle's own indiscretion was largely responsible for the outburst of public feeling. Declining to heed the evidence of growing indignation at his fragrant disregard of the conventions, he went back to his home after having consum- mated the first part of his plan. and even in the face of the muttering crowd that greeted him when he step- ped from the train he cynically sought to justify his conduct. Then came the deluge.
 Artist Had Many Warnings of Trouble.
 All. day the mutterings against the artist were heard about the usually quiet streets of Monroe. A demon stration was narrowly averted when Earle left with his wife and child, the latter saying farewell forever to the scenes of their brief happiness. The artist disregarded 1t. Again at the steamship pier. both before and after the wife and child had been put on board the ship, there were demonstra- tions directed against the artistic tenn perament" Once more Earle disre- garded the warning
 When the artist returned to Monroe 200 men and women were assembled at the station. AS the train stopped and the tall form of the artist was seen emerging from one of the cars great shout went up.
 Get a ropew cried the angry villa gers.
 Earle hesitated a minute on the car platform, but the conductor seemed to have little patience with him and exclaimed:
 Get move on. We can't stop here all night"
 Earle smiled cynically, drew himself up to his full height and alighted. The crowd instantly surged about him.
 First Blow Brushes His Hat.
 where's your wife, you miserable sneak?" they shouted. Get a rope. men, and let's divorce him sure enough"
 Smiling once more, the artist pushed his way through the crowd in the di- rection of McMonagle's drug store, just opposite the station. A man in the crowd smashed Esrle's hat over his eyes. He paid no attention to the af- front and kept on his way to the drug store with sheer on his face.
 AS many as could crowded into the store after Earle. The druggist tried to keep them out. but he had the alter native of suffering them to have their way or having his doors battered down. The cries of the mob continued all the while.
 Tar and feather him." suggested one. Another called for a rial. The suggestion for a rope rang out once more. Earle. recovering his presence of mind. turned now and directly faced his tormenters.
 Tries to Deliver Lecture to Mob.
 q feel the same today about this thing" he said deliberately. ''as did when I first decided to take the step"
 You brazen beast" cried the shrill voice of a woman.
 Earle grinned sardOnically.
 ''I have not changed or altered my feeling in the least" he continued. T feel absolutely no sorrow"
 Wait till We get through with you" cried the mob.
 The affair was now beginning to as- sume humorous aspect. But it quick Y became serious again when a show sr of stones fell. and Chief of Police Beattie arrived with a posse and de- handed that Earle % home at once. Finally he made discretion the better part of valor and. with a parting as- sertiOn to the crowd that he would stand for anything he had done. Earle sntered his carriage and was driven b his home.