Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-10-06
'EX-W|[M|NGTON WOMAN
REMEMBER SHOT
Defendant In Murder Case Tells
OF Brutality Of Common
Law Husband.

Philadelphia, Oct. 6.-Weeping and
In a very nervous condition, appar-
entity on the verge OF collapse, Mrs.
Clara Woodward, former Whining
ton woman, on trial for the murder OF
John Peppermint, yesterday took the
stand as the first and principal wit
ness in her own defense. In outlining
the defense, Attorney William A. Gray
had emphasized the alleged continu-
Gus brutality by Pepperman and his
constant beating of the defendant. He
said Pepperman had threatened to kali
her and that, coupled with the
usual beating. had forced her to shoot
him in eelf-defense.
Mrs. Woodward was so weak that
she had to be assisted to the stand
by court officers. After she wac sworn
che replied, in answer to questions Of
Mr.. Gray. that she was born in Tren-
ton,- IS years ago, was married while
she was still in her teens and had been
widow for Is years, being compelled
TO support herself by dressmaking
and conducting av)rooming house in
Wilmington, where she lived for sew
en- years before meeting Peppermar
ia 1919. She said he came there with
Nick Gales and engaged a room from
her and at once became attentive &c
her and coaxed her to go out with him
At first she refused, as she was en-
gagged to be married to a young mar
n wilmington at the time, but after
Pepperman had been rooming IN hel
house for three months she consent
ed to so out with him and thereafter
they became intimate friends.
He was very jealous of me and
was always afraid of him, as he hae
threatened on a number of occasions
that II ! did not go with him steady
he would kill me and himself, too,
she said. Il tried to keep him ava!
from me but 1 was afraid of him"
He took me TO Buffalo, where h,
had secured a position and we live,
there together as man and wife 70
about six months. He beat me con
tinually while we were Ahere. He thel
brought me back to Wilmington, wher
he was taken i'll with pm umonia. Tha
WAS the first time 1 le4rned that h
was a married man, when. througI
someone. message was sent to hi
wife and she came en- 10 Wilmingtb
and came TO the house. TO see hin
and made herself known las his wife
His wife did not RENAL in Whining
ton. out ne was left under my car
and, despite all the bel tings and i
treatment had received at his hand.
l was the only one that nursed hir
and stood by him during his illness L
about month he got better, and m
reward was that he started in to bea
me again."
IN january year ago. the de
PENDANT said, they cam e to Philadel
phia and she enumerated differen
houses in which they had lived. Sh
discovered he was in the habit OF tai,
ing dope and he tried to persuade he
10 take drugs, but she refused. Be
cause OF her refusal he again beat he,
She related that at the time sh
moved to North Ninth street, on Janu
AIRY ~ OF this year, Pepperman wa
out OF work and she opened a roonnin
house. She had no transient trade. bu
rented rooms by the week.
In response to questions by Attorne
Gray she told tally of repeated bea,
ings, during which, she said, Pepper
man hit her With his fists and kicke
her. One time. she said, he cam
home angry, took out a long knife +
always carried and told her to sa
her prayers, as he was going TO Xxi
her She escaped by running dow,
stairs and out the front door, he pu
suing her as far as the door.
Coming down to the time Of II
shooting she said she could remen
Der little OF the circumstances. +
told Of his declaration that he h,
TO go to New York. and IN reply TO
question as TO what they were doir
after o'clock that afternoon sal
We were drinking"
Where did you get the drinks
They were in the house."
Did he make any that afternoon
Yes, he did"
Were you both drinking?" YES
Can you tell how much either
you drank" Il don't know"