The Washington herald., 1916-08-24
EX-POLICEMAN
DETAINED BRIDE,
SAYS HUSBAND
John Watts, Former Member
of D. c. Force Held on
Serious Charge.

John Watts IS years old, former
policeman, of S02 l. street northwest
was arrested last night on a warrant
sworn out by owen d. Kiser, Of 9l1 |
street northwest. whose 22-year-old bride,
Mrs. Olive KseT. shot herself in the
breast early yesterday morning at the
street house.
The substance Of kisers charges. ac-
cording to his own statement and the
statements of the police is that Watts
had made numerous defamatory state
ments about Mrs. Kiser's character.
Watts, it is said. was a former admirer
Of the girl.
o,cOIuIug to Kiser. these statements
which were repeated to Mrs. Kiser. so
preyed upon her mind that she attempted
suicide shortly after midnight Yesterday
morning. She is now in a preCaIious con-
dition at Casualty Hospital, though the
doctors say she has chance for life.
kiscr went into conference with po-
lice officials yesterday and told his story.
II was repeated to a Washington Herald
reporter last night by kLser himself.
Mrs. kiSer, according to her husband S
statement. knew Watts for a long time
before Kiser married her. Since the we'd
ding. however. Watts IS credited with
circulating slanderous remarks concern
ing Mrs. Kiser among her friends. and
uon. he demanded an explanation from
the former policeman.
Watts, it is said. denied having made
any such statements, but later. according
to kiscr. Watts declined to say whether
he was guilty or not
kiser took up the matter with his wife
and so serious was the impression made
uUon her Iat she became respondent
kiser said last night that Watts had
said to Mrs. Kiser:
Il love you. and I'll get revenge"
The mental effect Of Watts alleged
remarks, Kiser said last niht was in
t"nsified by the delicate physical condi-
ton OF his wife and she took to brood
ing over the matter for long periods of
time.
These statements, when communicated
to the police yesterday. led to the is
suance Of Il warrant for Watts arrest.
He was arrested last night and locked up
in the First Precinct police station. pend
ing the deposit of 500 bond
When seen last night. Watts denied
kiser's charges in sweeping fashion. but
he started a statement that was cut short
by his attorney. who told him. as Watts
sat in his cell. that he'd talked enough.
Watts statement was to the general
effect that Kiser was Jealous OF him
because some time before Kiser married,
lItit Hdu Dtti an dlieBDQ rivalry be-
tween the two men for the favor Of
another girl. whose name was not men
toned Watts said that the other girl
had Slipped something over on" Kiser,
and that Kiser's jealousy had been
aroused thereby
At this point the imprisoned mans at
torney interpoeed and ended the inter-
view.
Watts record in the Police Depart
ment, from which he was dropped less
than year ago. it is said. is not alto
gether excellent. The record discloses
that Watts left the police service under
charges
Kisers physical condition last night
was ptiful The apparent attempt Of his
wife to commit suicide had almost
wrecked his nerves and he held himself
together only by the greatest exertion of
will.
He left the house on | street yester-
day and went to the home of his wife's
father, at 1927 Thirteenth street north
west