WOMEN'S DUEL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12609, 25 June 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

WOMEN'S DUEL.

KNIFE AND SCISSORS USED IN THE CONFLICT.: * r - The storv of a strange duel which took place last month comes from New, York, when daughter and sweetheart fought for the-affection of Adolph H. Beth, one of the proprietors of f't) cafe, in the latter's home at 799, Cole-street. The daughter of the restaurant man was Mrs. Anna Speakman, who figured in. the sensational murder of a former husband it Alameda about five rears ago. In the battle sfce was armed with t, large knife. Miss Clara Lefevn;, who finds shelter under Beth's roof, chose as her weapon a pail of scissors. Bitter jealousy animated the daughter. She had tried in vain to rid .her father of her ( adversary s companionship. When all remonstrances failed she give vent to her passion and the fight was on. It ended in a call for the ambulance Mid the removal of both women to the hospital. Later Mrs. Speakman was taken •to the city prison and booked on a charge of assault to commit murder. The complainant was her father. In the dining-room of the Beth home the two women met.' Anger and hatred surged in both hearts and words were as fragile as straws in settling the differences between them. No one witnessed the combat until its force had -been spent and the two principals were exhausted and making but a feeble effort to continue it. While it lasted, however, it: was terrific, as the bloodspotted walls testified. ;■}, .The women attacked each other with the ferocity of tigers and •„ it is strange that murder was not done. The evidence of war was in the rooms. Chairs were disarranged and furniture overturned. The appearance of the women with their faces torn, hair matted with gore, and bodies bruised and cut, told better than anv words what had occurred when rage and jealousy overwhelmed them and they matched their strength. Then, when they' were separated and they stood faciiih, each other, their bitterness was not allaved.. Even on the way tc the hospital with a policeman between tbem they displayed vindictiveness of an order not to be mistaken. The stories of these women regarding the commencement of the affair vary greatly. Each blames the other and each would have it Understood that she herself was on the defensive. .Just who struck th- first blow i« ? matter for the courts tft determine?.*and this will be done, if possible, at the preliminary exaßiination of Mrs. Speakman.