The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-03
OFFICER ARRIVED
IN NICK OF TINE
Caught Minetree as He Was
Leaving House After Wild
Row With Wife.
NEIGHBoRs SENT IN CALL
Woman Tells Policeman That
She Was Afraid She'd Be
Killed.

Herbert A. Minetree, Of 400 West
Cary Stree. who III the last few weeks
has become we'll known to the police
was arrested early yesterday morning
and is now locked up. awaiting triai
on the specific charge of disturbing
the peace of his neighbors at an I'M
earthly hour Of the morning and with
carrying concealed weapons.
But this does not cover by half what
Minetree is alleged to have done Whsn
his wife refused him money with which
to prolong a spree. Mrs. Minetree'
however, makes no charge, and her
husband will not have to answer for
the most brutal part of the ahalr'
though had it not been for the pres
ence Of mind and heroism of his wife
the house would probably have been
burned.
NeiEhbors Call Police
Aroused by cries of help from the
Mnetree's residence, one of their heiSh
bors yesterday morning, little aiter
4 o'clock, put in hurry can for the
police. Policeman Krengle was sent 10
Investigate. On his arrival the as
turbance continued and when ne
knocked for admittance he was told
by alinetree that If he attempted TO
force an entrance he would be shot
full Of lead. The officer Immediately
telephoned for magistrate. In order
to get warrant, which would give
him the authority to break In the
house.
While he was waiting for the war
rant Minetree came down the steps,
and was at once recognized by the
officer. Asked where he was going, he
replied: II am going after warrant
for Minetree." Krengle, seeing that he
was about to lose his man. ordered
him to halt Minetree put both hands
behind him and began TO tumble with
one of his sleeves, but the policeman
was too quick for him. In moment
the "nippers" were on him, and an
ugly-looking razor dropped out on the
street This was all the evidence need
ed, so Minetree was hustled off to the
Second Police Station. krengle noticed
as the man was put in the patrol that
his knuckles were bruised and bleed
ing.
Tells Sad Story.
Mrs Minetree's story was sad one.
With her clothes scorched and her face
badly bruised from the blows of her
husbands fists, she told of the strug-
gle she had been through with Nine
tree, who had become Infatuated be-
cause she refused to lend him 81, al
though he had good deal Of money
on his person at the time. According
to the story told Officer Krengle, MIN
etree first beat her numerically and
then threw lighted kerosene lamp at
her head. AS the lamp was thrown
oil spattered over the table. and soon
the room was in flames. While her
husband still raved and threatened to
kill her, Mrs. Minetree threw the blaz-
ing lamp out of the window and finally
succeeded in covering the flames with
blanket which she snatched from the
bed. She then gathered up the snol-
derlng mass, threw 1t in the bathtub
and turned on the water. It was
about that time that the officer arrived,
and Minetree attempted to get away
by the ruse that Policeman Krengle
was quick to detect.
Afraid OF Husband.
Though she steadfastly refuses to
make any charges against her hus-
band, Mrs. Minetree told the officer that
she would have felt obliged to kill him
in self-defense If she could have laid
hands on a pistol, because she thought
he would murder her before help could
arrive
Several weeks ago Minetree's throat
was lashed from ear to ear. He had
Earl Holt, who had been with him, ar
rested, charging him with attempted
murder. In the Police Court Holt made
clear case and was dismissed. and
Minetree made no further attempt to
convict his assailant. Minetree seems
to be addicted to drink. but was not
considered very drunk on either occa-
sion. Up to Saturday night, Mrs. Min
etree said, he had drunk nothing since
his throat was cut.