Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-16
BRUTAL ASSAULT CHARGED
WILLIAM FRASER ACCUSED OF
BEATING HIS WIFE.
Preliminary Hearing Waived 1T Ii
Plata and the Case Sent to
the Grand Jury.

Charged with having committed brutal
assault on his wife. Mrs. Margaret Z.
Fraser. the night Of May II, William
Fraser. an acid mixer at the Indian Head
proving station, was arrested yesterday
by Constable Carpenter and taken to La
Plata. Md. for a hearing. The arrest OF
Fraser followed an investigation that was
made by States Attorney Cooksey and
Capt. James A. McDevitt. chief Of the
McDevitt detective agency Of this city,
members Of the Indian Head Citizens AS
ISOLATION having taken an active interest
In the affair. 1t was the desire Of some
OF the members of the association that
Fraser should be arrested and 'sweated"
at the time Hurricane Branch Of oufolk.
va, had his dogs on the trail. but he was
not taken into custody until yesterday.
The dogs reached Indian Head two days
AFTER Mrs. Fraser had been beaten over
her head with q heavy club that had
been cut from the woods not far from her
home. 1t was feared she was going to
die, but she recovered from the enects
OF her wounds shortly after she reached
SlOley Hospital in this city.
terday in a store at Indian Head and sur
prised him by producing the warrant that
nad been issued for his arrest. Fraser &C
companied him to La Plata, Mrs Fraser
and her child driving the long distance IL
another vehicle. 1t had been the intention
OF States Attorney Cooksey to give Fra
ser hearing yesterday. but Attorneys
Mitchell and Diggs. counsel for the ac-
cused man. said they preferred to waive
hearing and give bond for their client.
and the case was sent to the grand jury,
Mrs. Fraser being one Of four persons to
qualify as surety.
Formerly Lived Here.
Fraser. his wife and child formerly lived
in this city. Mrs. Fraser's maiden name
being Stuart. Shortly after the husband
obtained employment at Indian Head his
wife consented to move there. A piece OF
ground was purchased and a home erect
ed. The acid mixer was regarded by the
residents Of the town Of Indian Head as
an industrious man, and, SO far AZ friends
knew. he had never had any trouble
with his wife. Why he should have as
saulted her they were unable to under
stand, although many members OF the
citizeHs' association openly charged the
crime to him.
When the bloodhounds of Hurricane
Branch trailed from the Fraser home to
the shop in which Fraser worked the
people who betrayed the expense OF
we're well satisfied with the result of
the efforts Of the dogs. and that night
there was some talk Of the citizens taking
| the law in their own hands. Nothing was
done, however, and Fraser was surprised
when he returned to Indian Head from
this city, where he had come to look after
his wife. to learn that he had been sus-
pected Of the assault. Detective Nc
Dewitt was employed some time ago to
work on the case, and. it is said. the
warrant was based wholly upon c;rcum-
stantial evidence. The case will be pre-
sented to the grand jury at the November
term Of the court. and. should an indict-
ment be found. the trial will probably
take place shortly afterward.
When taken to La Plata yesterday
Fraser denied that he had committed the
assault. He charged that the assault had
been committed by another resident OF
Indian Head and said he thought he had
been arrested because some Of the resi-
dents Of the town had feared the action
he intended taking. He will not take
any action in the affair." he says, until
after the fall session OF the court con-
venes.