The Washington times., 1908-08-25
Alleged Wifebeater in Court.
Overpowered After Fierce
T.. Struggle.
PLACED UNDER BOND
TO KEEP THE PEACE
Second Time Couple Have Aired
Their Troubles in the
Court Room.

Charged with threatening the life Of
his wife. Mrs. Mabel NJ Clark. and ar
rested only after Oficers McQuade and
Hughlett had broken down the door of
bis home at 1439 Massachusetts avenue
northwest, and engaged IN a fierce hand
to hand struggle on the stairs, Edwin c.
Clark was required today to furnish a
real estate band Of $500 to keep the
peace.
The case was disposed Of in the United
States branch of the Police Court this
morning and was the climax 10 an ex-
citing scene which occurred last night
next door TO the German embassy and
in one Of the most exclusive sections Of
the city.
In connection with the same case Ben
jamin r Stewart, who rooms at the
Clark home, and who says he is a teller
IN a bank on + street. between Four
teenth and Fifteenth streets, forfeited
$50 collateral on the charge OF assault
ing Mrs. Clark. when she attempted 10
let the officers into her house.
Startled by Screams.
Shortly after O'Clock yesterday even
ing the occupants Of the houses situated
on the high terrace on the north side
OF Massachusetts, avenue, and people
living in the Massachusetts apartment
house, just across the street. were
startled by the fTenzied screams of d
woman calling for help. In a short time
a crowd had gathered in front of the
Clark home. where Mrs. Clark stood on
the ledge OF a second-story window
calling for the police. and crying that
her husband and Stewart were trying to
kill her.
Officers McQuade and Hughlett heard
the cries. and rushing to the house
called out to Mrs. Clark to let them in
through the basement door. The wo-
man says that she rushed TO do this
and was caught on the stairs by Stew
art who grabbed her by the throat and
said, You will open that door at the
peril OF your life"
Police Batter Down Doors.
She tried to break away and after she
had fallen to the top step exhausted by
her struggle, she gained her feet Just
as Officer McQuade forced the door with
his shoulder. McQuade grabbed Clark,
and Hughlett rushed for Stewart, who,
lighting like madTlan, was only over
powered after the two had rolled to
the bottom OF the long flight of steps.
AS the men were taken away, Clark
struggled to reach his wife, and, finding
his efforts futile. glered al Ter and said /:
II hx you for this, ana don't you
The husband had spent the night in
the station house. and at the advice
or his attorney Greed NJ. Fulton, did
rot deny the accusation of mis- wife,
and refused TO make any statement on
the stand. AS the sentence was pro-
nOunced he turned upon his Wife, as
II 70 speak, but the court officials jerk
ed him into the prison dock, where he
waited until released on the necessary
amount Of bail.
Arrested Before.
This is the second time that Clark
has been arrested On charges brought
by hts wife. Two or three years ago,
according to charges made at that time,
he attacked her anu Choked and beat
her into insensibilIty. lie was arrested
and despite the earnest advice Of the
District Attorney that Mrs. Clark in
sist on letting the law take its course,
her husband prevailed upon her with
promises Of good behavior to have the
case nolle pressed.
Mrs. Clark, who is a beautiful South
eTn woman, and who is connected prom
inently in South Carolina, her home,
says that only a few days after she
bad agreed TO give Clark another chance
he began 10 abuse her.