Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-04
MRS. CASTLES PLEA VAIN
Persists That She Intended Suicide,
Not Murder.
SHE IS HELD IN $4,000 BAIL
Hearing Fixed for Friday-Former
Actress Declares Lawyer Annoy.
ed Her With Attentions.

NEW YORK. August 4.-The bullet
from her little 2o-caliber revolver that
struck and slightly injured William d.
Craig late yesterday in a corridor OF tho
WaldorfAstoria was intended fer herself,
declared Mrs. Neville Castle today at
police headquarters. where she was taken
before arraignment in court after a night
spent in a cell in the Tombs prison.
Heavily yelled and apparently laboring
under a severe mental strain. Mrs Castle
was taken TO headquarters for the usual
inspection in the detective bureau. The
indignity of being photographed and
measured was spared her.
Craig Persists in Complaint.
When Craig was called upon to make
his formal complaint in court against
Mrs. Castle a touching scene was enact
ed. The prisoner was plainly on the
verge of collapse
Mutual friends OF the parties had been
interceding with Craig to withdraw his
complaint He failed TO be moved by
their representations. however.
Then Mrs Castle herself came forward.
a
she said gently:
WILL please drop 1t, won't your
Craig turned from her with a quick
movement and left the room.
In his complaint Craig swore he was
assaulted and beaten by Mrs. Mary
Scott Castle in that she had pointed a
loaded revolver at him and discharged
the revolver the bullet taking effect in
his left breast"
Mrs. Castle when arraisned gave her
age as thirty-six and her business as that
of an insurance agent. She WAS becom-
ingly attired in a suit of shepherds plaid
trimmed with green. had on a black hat
and wore a white veil. which she was not
asked to remove during the proceedings.
Held in $4,000 Bail.
Her counsel. Frederick Dean. asked an
adjournment until next Friday. Mags-
trate Butts fixed the examination for that
time. holding Mrs. Castle in $4,000 bail.
Mr.. Dean told the court that Mrs. Castle
had no friends or relatives here and that
he wanted time to communicate with her
brother. Capt. Henry Harrison Scott OF
the Coast Artillery. stationed at present
at Fort Morgan, Ala.
After her arrangement Mrs. Castle col
lapsed and had to be supported TO an
anteroom. where she was revived and then
was taken back to her prison cell. Her
counsel said he expected to get bail for
her during the day.
To the officers of the detective bureau
Mrs. Castle talked freely about herself
and the train of events which led up to
the sensational climax Of yesterday. She
went over her stage experience, which
she said began In San Francisco. where
she appeared in the Girl OF the Golden
West
Says Lawyer Prosecuted Her.
Craig. lawyer now practicing in this
city, she said, she had known since she
was child. Denying the imputation that
she had forced her attention on him, she
declared that on the other hand he had
been following her SO persistently for the
would compromise her.
Il intended to kill myself" Mrs. Castle
told the detective bureaus chief, land had
the pistol in my hand. but he was struck
by the bullet | had intended for myself.
Il knew Mr.. Craig went to the rooms
of the Rocky Mountain Club i'm the Wal
dorf- Astoria to read. AS he passed me
without taking notice of my presence |
said to him, will. don't pass without no.
ticing me- l am going to finish myself.
According to Mrs. Castles statement
Mr.. Craig has been an admirer of me
ever since I was tot" she said. Il
have never annoyed or molested him in
any way.
His wife and I are distant cousins,
but We are not now on friendly terms.
This is because Mr.. Craig told Mrs.
Craig in my presence that he admired
me.
1T is quite natural that Mrs. Craig
should defend her husband. ! would do
that If | were in her place.
Revolver to Protect Herself.
Mrs. Castle says she purchased the re-
volver with which the shooting was done
some time ago and carried il as a means
of self-protection.
Mr. Craig. who early on hand at
the police court, would not say anything
as to Mrs. Castles charges that he had
been annoying her or her statement that
the shooting was accidental
Mrs Castles maiden name was Mary
Scott and she is the daughter OF II. Ill.
Scott q merchant Of San Francisco. Her
husband at one time a well known
lawyer in San Francisco is said to be at
present in Alaska.
The Castles have been living apart for
some time. After coming east several
years ago Mrs. Castle appeared In sew
eral theatrical productions.