The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-07-10
Chase of Mrs. Bookhart Aft
er Her Husband and His
Affinity Related in City
Court Today.
BEATRICE V. PIERCE
is THE DEFENDANT
She Is Charged with Pointing
a Gun on Mrs. Bookhart
When the Latter Called to
Get Husband.

Racy, spicy and sensational was the
testimony presented in police court
today during the hearing of the case
of the state versus Miss Beatrice Vir-
ginia Pierce, charged with pointing a
deadly weapon at Mrs. Harry Book
hart. A jury is hearing the case, which
opened shortly after o'clock and was
not concluded until late this after
noon.
The prosecution alleged that Harry
Bookhart, husband of the prosecuting
witness had had intimate relations
with the defendant and that when Mrs.
Bookhart went to the Pierce home Sat
urday afternoon, June %, to ascertain
if her husband were there, Miss Pierce
drew a revolver upon her. Miss Pierce,
twenty-five years old, resides with her
parents southwest of the city.
Mrs. J. Haner, Witness.
Mrs. John Haner, 2216 North D
street, was the first witness called by
the prosecution. Mrs. Haner testified
that she accompanied Mrs. Bookhart
to the Pierce home. They drove to the
place, arriving there about 2:3O
o'clock Mrs. Haner stated that she
remained in the buggy, while Mrs.
Bookhart, with a buggy whip in her
hand, went up to the house. She said
that Mrs. Bookhart knocked on all of
the doors, but received no response.
Mrs. Haner said that they waited there
about forty-fve minutes before the
| door was opened. .--
According to the witness, Miss
Pierce opened the door, saying that
she had been sleeping and had just
awakened. She was asked if Harry
Bookhart was in the house and Miss
Pierce answered that he was not and
that she did not know Bookhart, the
witness said.
Mrs. Bookhart then asked If she
could go through the house and ascer
tain for herself, if her husband was in
| the house. Permission to do so was
accorded her but when she attempted
to mount the stairs to the upper floo1
Miss Pierce objected and ordered Mrs
Bookhart from her home.
With the statement that she would
wait outside until her husband left the
place Mrs. Bookhart went to the
lawn.
| Just then, according to Mrs. Haner
Bookhart was seen in the rear yard
presumably having left the house BY
another door.
Caught With Goods On"
so you were here" Mrs. Bookhar7
said to her husband, Il am through
now. Just wanted to. make sure thai
you were with this woman"
When Mrs. Bookhart was placed OF
the witness stand she repeated wha
is related above and said she startet
to leave the premises. walking toward.
her, grabbed her by the arm and said
Grace. come back and apologize tt
this woman. l was not with her ant
can prove it by her"
Mrs. Bookhart alleged that at this
point Miss Pierce ran into the house
and reappeared with a revolver which
she brandished about her head, ours
ing Mrs. Bookhart and declaring tina
she would blow her brains out" If she
did not move from the place.
Don't shoot yet" Bookhart is alleg
ed to have said and taking Mrs. Book
hart back to the house he attempted
to explain matters
Mrs. Bookhart testified that Mis-
Pierce again pointed the revolver a
her and hurting other epithets at he
declared she would kill her.
Dared Her To Shoot.
Go ahead and shoot me-" Mrs. Book
stated that during the time the gun
was pointed at her. that her husband
was hiding behind her.
The defendant was then placed OF
the stand and testified that Mrs. Book
/ hart cursed her and that she attempted
to throw acid Of some nature at her
A bottle upon which was the labe
"Oil of Vitrol" was produced by tht
counsel for the defense This bottle
it was alleged, was found in the yart
Of the Pierce residence.
vitroi Bottle Shown.
Mrs Bookhart testified that she or
dered the acid from a drug store upo1
the request of her husband and tina
she took Ii from his pocket while the,
were standing in front Of the Pferc.
house, saying "if / have to face tha
gun again / will protect myself witt
this"
| 1t was testified that when Mrs. Book
hart was taken back TO the house b,
her husband a general scuffle ensued
las Mrs. Bookhart leaped at Miss Pierc,
grabbing her by the throat and throw
ling her to the ground floor. Bookhar
iseparated the women and Mrs Book
hart returned TO the buggy, driving Z.
| ontiuued On Page Sfx3