The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-13
the HARRIS DIVORCE CASE.
STRONG TESTIMONY FOR MRS. HARRIS.
Her Mother, Brother, Daughter Minnie
and Herself on the Stand.
STRANGE CONTRADICTORY EVIDENCE

Explanations OF the Alleged
Improper Conduct.
Our New London Corrsspondsnoe.
.2 nt0HTH DAY-MORNIN0 SESSION.
NEw LONDON, Oct IL, 1886.
At nine O'Clock Judge Phelps took his seat The
.oours room still remains crowded to Several
persons from Now York and other parts Of the country
who interested In the case, have arrived, and
present in court
VIVA TESTIMONY or Mr.. MAURICE BACON. Gi
Maurice Bacon examined-I reside In New London; I
clerk board the City Of Boston; have known the
family Of Mr.. Harris fifteen sixteen years. commenced
70 visit them IN 1851; visited frequently with my wife;
Harris with Mr.. Fred Miner at Salem on q Sunday; 1
passed the day there; Mrs Harris was staying at Dir.
Holmes tho latter lady and her husband Mr. Miner
inquired for Miss Jennie; Mrs. Harris said she had
= headache and had lain down.. Miner proposed
then proposed to take stroll on tho hill did
remained away about threeqnarters Of hour;
brush nor thick woods where we went; there
purpose Of any kind conceal ourselves we were all
together, Miss Blydenburgh Mrs Harris Mr. Fred Miner
and myself there was no intentional separation on
part; returning Miss Jennie still lying down:
Mrs. Holmes urged rs to remain for tea, and did
main; never went to Music Hall anywhere dis
gused IN my ie; bad no recollection Of having pair
of specaces at Music Hall until Ii spoken Of court
heard the testimony of Ellen Davis who stated that
Mrs. Harris and Mr. Fred Miner retired TO a room when
and Mr. Chappe were present; such ever
took place. know girl named Margaret Drndy; read
r nsa - o w he Mrs Has that Mr. Miner
when was present is false; there not particle
OF truth in it; this girl lived in my family some thirty
days. she was dismissed on suspicion OF stealing several
things; IL is about year and half since have
In Mr. Harris house; might have been an honorary
member Of Gdeon's Band; in all my intercourse With
Mrs Harris never saw anything improper uhladylae
in her conduct
Cross-examined by Mr. Lipptt-I am not musician as
do not know note from another; my visits to Mr.
Harris house averaged about week have never
been but two three times in Mrs Harris ROOM
was there alone; my wire accompanied me on
sion; think Mr.. Arthur Bacon with another
time never called Mr. Harris, as he called
my house: the occasion Of our walk at Salem we
never went into any thick woods with dog;
there low trees in the vicinity; under tree;
did not know Of any paper being up recolec
being separated much twenty thirty al any
time; never was alone with AIRS Harris in her own
mouse mument in my life.
MIS-. HANNAH rRowx.
Mrs. Hannah Brown exanined:-I am the mother OF
Mrs Harris shall be eighty years OF age next Sunday
always lived in New London recolect when Mr.. Harris
visited my house and paying attention to my
daughter; she was married at my house; they to
Boston after the ceremony; my daughter nmedatc-
iy on her return; she appeared be very rnuch de-
locted; the exhibition OF deectecness
the birth OF her first child Dcnnie) she confined
her fathers house; Mr. Harris in and up stairs
shortly after the confinement; he looking out OF the
window said 10 him, You have little daughter this
morning. no replied, "Come a little too soon didn't
ity' his demeanor then cold and unpleasant as II
always was; never saw him exhibit any warmth Of
affection the occasion Of his wfe's confinement AZ IL
generally shown by gentlemen they 70 live after
wards ia Golden street; MI. Harris manner to his
vile when ] was there was always cold and repulsive
pratty after my daughter again with child she
seemed 70 be In very low spirits; up to The time OF cr
second confinement Mr. Harris conducted lus II in the
NUMBER OF times for a week two; Mr. Harris manner
towards his children also rather cod he has
come into the room and would not address reco
lect occasion being at dinner when Mrs Harris
rang the bell twice for the servant; MI Harris said
s ring ,nar ee agar you want anything
wife In the summer OF $685. were visiting at Mrs
Buffers, when Mrs Harris took up her sleeve and
showed black and blue spots from her elbow her Shout
.ders which were very much swollen she remarked,
This Is where Harris has beaten me was mp to tho
house next day, when she showed me her night Dress
which had been also torn by Harris; Irecoec when
Harris TO my house night and slept there;
morning Minnie and Edith down to inquire after
aheir mot!er wentup and saw MI harris az his house,
told him that II evor he struck my child again should
know and would expose him to the pastor and deacons
were visiting at Mrs Buffers; Mr.. Harris down
buggy Mrs. Harris TO get her things heard Mr.
ing Ourselves 70 go away he looked around If he
pected somebody Jennie and had conversations
about these difficulties; she seemed opposed en-.
rely her father for hi conduct and In favor Of her
,mother: had conversations with Mrs. Holmes the
topic she seemed fccl very sorry for Mrs. Har
Tia she always loved hr and that she lad never seen
anything OF thu way In her. but everything that
perfectly ladykc; Mrs. Frank Brown was present al
this conversation; Mrs Hones was with m! daughter
for months at a time. - - =. -
Cross examined by Mr. Lppitt-Had always seen Mr.
Harris cold and repusve; he any different;
my relations with him were always pleasant although lac
scarcely convcrsed with me- fitted up rooms for
him when he from his wedding tour; we had
party the occusion yer rceolect seeing Mr. Harris
kiss his children; thought he was rather rcpulsve TO
them.
direct-witness testified to Mr. Harris
occasion calling his wife 'Billingsgae woman y
book Mr. Harris house named '.Amelias Poems;'
aston Mr. Harris took up the book and asked
his We where she go, III Mrs Harris remarked TINT she
had nu +. m Ind
the youngest of five sisters and one OF the verses alluded
TO this at and she tMrs HarrisD had marked u; M
that brother Robert did; Mr. Harris said not his
handwriting (Some OF this evidence introduced TO
prove the Jealous disposition OF Mr. Harrsl Ny daugh.
ter very fond OF her children and they very fond
OF her. think she Is proper person 70 lake chare Of
childtcn.
Mr. Frederick Miner examined--I reside In New Lon
dom the family Of Mr.. Harris very vol; have
Known Miss Jennie Harris since was eight or nine
years old we attended dancing school together visited
the various residences OF Mr.. Harris frequently when
went TO the door I sometimes up TO the
chamber Of Mrs Harris other persons were pre-
sont on this occasion; never ran down The back
stairs to avoid Mr. Harris; Iscollec' being IN n
another lady; asked Mrs Harris for her pcture Mrs.
Harris said that hor mother had got her picture; Mss
Jennie exchanged chances with me, indicating that me
picture Was 10 the workbasket; went over there aud
found III commenced laughing when Mrs Harris sns-
pectsa s. the picture was % nsn wsn NJ @ Of
having u myself; afte asking me several times Tor
gave her the pcture by this got to DC quite bywora
amoug us when talking or PICTURE mother has got
H." the sstemest OF Tom smith relative w my coming
into tho through window and being found under
roborat a he testimony Of M Maurice bacon relative
TO the Salem visit; heard the testimony OF Ellen Davis
there such occasion as my gong up stairs with
heard lmony 10 sitting sofa with Mrs Harris.
with NY hand on her BOSOM this ID false; never
treated Mrs. Harris except lady also heard the
testimony Of Margaret Drudy relative 70 the chamber
st; there Is no foundation whatever for that terti-
mony; there was no such event took place my
running into kitchen with my clothes loosened the
remark Of Miss Jennie Harris TO her father that they did
not want me NJ tho house outing up capers was a. fol-
IowsI called day, when Mrs. Harris told the that
shs was sorry 10 say Mr.. Harris had forbidden tho
no sc called 70 Mr. Harris his Office, relation
20 this matter asking him II he knew anything against
my character why he had forbidden the house;
he said e sorry that Mrs Harris had said snythihg
about A. and told 10 10 the house usual but
m nm