The Washington herald., 1909-06-19

a controversy has arisen over the right
OF possession Of a certain house in L
street northwest What the outcome OF
the controversy Will be no man can tell.
The contestants are Miss Mary A.
Fields. whose hair is slightly gray,
against two sisters. The elder sister has
assumed the aggressive against Miss
Fields. while the younger sister has faded
into the background
The elder sister is Miss Frances over
ton, who IS less than twenty years old
She has for some time occupied d house
at 1913 L street northwest over which the
controversy has arisen. Il is said this
house is owned by the parents OF Miss
Overton, and it is also said il IS owned
by Miss overton herself, but the fact
seems irrevelant 20 all save Miss Fields.
Rooms Were Rented.
Miss Overton occupied the basement Of
the house and rented the nine rooms on
the first, second. and third floors 20
.boarders. About three weeks ago she
planned a vacation, and decided TO rent
the house for the summer. An advertise
ment was inserted In Washington news
paper, and that was the beginning OF the
controversy. although no one suspected
such a thing at the time.
Miss Fields answered the advertisement.
learned that the house was 20 be rented
for three months at $50 month, furnish
ed. and she decided 10 clinch the bargain.
You bet I didn't let a bargain Ike that
90 by me- said Miss Fields.
Among the many salient points in the
controversy is one concerning the pay
ment OF $. which Hiss Fields declares
she gave Miss Overton. and for which
she says she now holds a receipt. BY the
payment OF this money Miss Fields says
she believed she had rented the house, al
though there seems 10 be lacking a con-
tract.
Miss Fields asserts that on Monday last
she was 10 have taken possession OF the
house and 10 have used il for the purpose
OF conducting the Fields civil service In
stitute, Of which she is said 70 be head
and owner But in the interim fl seems
Miss Overton changed her mind about
letting the house 70 Miss Fields. A mat
ter Of reference arose, and the con
troversy grew more complicated.
Miss Fields then asked TO be allowed
the use OF one room for a few DAYS il
q understood and this request was
granted by Miss Overton. About two days
ago Miss OvertOn left the house. and re-
turned 10 fnd herself locked out. Several
roomers also failed TO gain admission. and
Miss Fields occupied the citedeI un-
molested. The KEYS 70 front and rear
doors had disappeared and could not be
found
There was a buzz OF excitement IN the
mingled with some amuse-
ment. when Il became bruited about that
Miss Overton was trying 10 break into
her own house. Miss Overton was en-
barrassed by the publicity and sought
legal aid.
Obtained Legal Aid.
Miss Fields parried the thrust and also
legal aid. Lawyers seemed help
less when confronted with the thousand
and one details IN the strange. inexplic-
able case Only women were involved.
and only women understood. Mere man
was hopelessly az sea IN the tangled
mass Of a feminine duel.
Miss Fields had possession OF the house
and Miss Overton was outside until about
/ O'Clock on Thursday afternoon last.
when an Oficial-lOoking man appeared
and strode up the steps TO the porch OF
the house.
You play no tricks on me-" called Miss
Fields from the inside.
The man. seeing he could not gain ad- |
read an oficiai-loobing paper 10 |
Miss Fields. who stood in the bay win
dow and listened. The man stood in the
street. II was said by those who wit |
messed the performance that the oficial- |
looking paper was nothing more than I
or summons 20 court, or. az
least, something official
At any rate. Miss Fields left the house I
morning and disappeared, after I
locking every door and window. She was 4
away some hours and returned 10 find I
the fortress in the hands Of tile enemy 4
Miss OvertOn was again in possession OF /
the house with party OF friends.
i am not going 10 be locked out OF a /
house which I have rented" asserted 1
Miss Fields. belligerently. and straight |
way she set about capturing the strong 4
hold She tried key after key at the 4
ock on the front door. She threw her /
self against the door. but 1t would not 1
yield.
Miss Fields then adopted new tactics 4
Ind procured a screw-driver, with which 1
Inc took off a large brass plate forming 4
,art Of the lock on the door. Even this 4
vas useless, and then Miss Fields found 4
The could not get IN even If she un-
ocked the door. II had been barrfcaded
rom the inside by Miss Overton, and
,arricaded so that II would resist attack
Igainst anything except a battering ram
Crowds Gathered.
While this interesting and somewhat
exciting attack on the house was in
'rogress a throng OF about 100 persons
,athered. Miss Overtcn feared serious
rouble and sent for the police. A detail
rrived from the Third precinct and took
survey Of the situation, after which
hey retreated to a safe distance and con-
ented themselves that no blows we're
truck and no disorderly conduct oc-
Urred.
About o'clock last night Miss Overton
till occupied the house, while Miss
fields was perched contentedly on the
ront porch. Policemen patroIled the
idewalk peacefully, and the curious SIN
ratched the proceedings. Attorney c. c.
'alhoun, who represents the Misses Over
on, took charge Of the situation and
ED a peace conference with Miss Fields.
Iiss Fields agreed 10 retreat for the
light
An effort viii be made 10 form a peace
-eaty this morning between the inter-
sted parties. but Miss Fields declares
he will have nothing but possession Of
he house. while Miss Overton emphat-
ally asserts she viii. remain IN the
OuEe.
Attorneys for both sides are desirous
I a truce, and Miss Fields and Miss
ver.on also want peace. but each woman