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Description: Tarring Victim Section-1 Page 10
Date: August 9 1908Newspaper published in: Washington, D. C., USA
Washington Times August 9, 1908 Tarring Victim Section-1 Page 10
HIDE BEHIND SKIRTS, BLISS SAYS OF MEN
Tarring Victim Resentful Toward Husbands for Naming Women.
MARTHINSONS SEEK REST AT SEASHORE
Each Side Claims It Wants Trial.
Feeling That Compromise Will Come.
“My fight is against the men in this tarring affair. I do not propose to drag in the women. I would never have done so, and have no sympathy with the manner in which their names were brought in, for the purpose, it seems to me, of shielding the men who tarred me.”
So spoke F. E. BLISS, jr., who for ten days stood in the limelight as the victim of two irate husbands at the home of Charles MARTHINSON, 1317 Kenyon street, where he was beaten and tarred, when last night he was again presses to issue a statement that would throw light upon the real inside of the affair.
BLISS has more than once hinted that when the case comes to trial he does not propose to recognize in any way the claim made in the formal statement issued by the three men involved in tarring him, that it was on account of his alleged attention to Mrs. MARTHINSON and Mrs. Henry COLE that the attack occurred.
Bliss Retains Composure.
BLISS seems to be resentful toward the husbands of the two women, but apparently does not bear the same degree of ill will toward James L. WHITE, the other principal, who has said that he had no grievance, and was present as an unknowing witness and friend of MARTHINSON.
“I regret that I cannot say more at this time,” said BLISS, “but I do not mind saying this: No matter how good or bad I am, I have never tried to hide any act of mine behind a woman, and I do not regard favorably he man who would. There was no occasion for the names of Mrs. MARTHINSON and Mrs. COLE being involved in this instance. I do not propose to aid in any way in entangling them in this affair at the trial. My grievance is entirely against the men who took advantage of me.”
BLISS, it will be recalled, was met at the door of the MARTHINSON home by MARTHINSON, COLE, and WHITE, carried to the rear of the house, tied and beaten and then tarred. In a formal statement issued after their arrest, it was said that this treatment had been accorded BLISS on account of his alleged hypnotic influence over Mrs. MARTHINSON and his reported admission that he had had improper motives in his attentions to Mrs. COLE. BLISS denies that his attentions were dishonorable in any way. The husbands refuse to make any statement beyond the original one.
Resentful Toward Two.
Despite stories from Hartford, Conn., where the father of BLISS now lives, confirming rumors that he had been involved in an elopement scandal there and that the F. E. BLISS, jr., known there was married, the tar victim maintains a self-possession that is remarkable. Of all those involved in the affair, he is less secreted, and while not answering direct questions about his past, he meets questioners in an open manner that would indicate that at the proper time his story may put a different view upon the matter.
Mr. and Mrs. MARTHINSON are reported to be out of the city, and are supposed to be taking a rest at Atlantic City, far from prying eyes and quizzing reporters. Mrs. COLE, since her sudden return to the city following the affair, has been seen but seldom, and refuses to discuss the episode.
Mr. WHITE, who says that he was present only as a witness and that without knowing such a thing was planned, seems the most worried of the trio, apparently chagrined that he was drawn into an affair that has startled the whole city, and yet has no grievance against the victim with which to offer himself solace.
Expect Dodging of Trial.
Assistant District Attorney GIVEN says he has never seen a case with more complications and interesting sidelights. The impression is growing, as one by one these develop, that one side or the other will endeavor to prevent the case ever coming to trial.
This, however, is an impression. Mr. GIVEN and Mr. BLISS say such will not be the case. Mr. CALLADAY, representing the three defendants, says such a thing has not entered their minds.