The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-30
ROE AND ROE.
A WOman'S Story Told and RetOld
Under Difficulties.
INGENIOUS BRUTALITY.
Even the Little Roes Oppressed by
Their Father.
A HUSBANDS FUN"
INGENIOUS BRUTALITY.


NEwBuRo, March 90, 1877.
Bright and early this morning merry, fashionable
crowd assembled in tho Court House. and long before
the opening OF tho case of Roe vs. Roo tho ladies-a
large and very beautiful delega,ionchaca gayly and
tho air was instinct with silver whispers and tho faint
fragrance OF carly flowers. Probably n handsomer
dozen than the ladies who occupied the usual
jury box could not no found without
long search. Golden blondes, ebon bruncttcs
ana all the various intermediate nico shades
of hair aud complexion present in noble cmbod
mcnts AM the at the opening OF tho Court was
brilliant indeed Mrs. Roe, the plalntin In tho case
has established for herself fame among tho legal pro-
fesson For two hours she was examined and
never once contradlclcd herself Her mind seemed
over alert sho answered under hundred different
forms the same question tho way hundred
times shc did not rely on faulty memory to got
over rough spots but won't on in her answering with
the Same and deliberate method that had charac-
terizcd her since sho took tho stand on Wednesday
morning. Tho for Mrs. Roe was closed TO- night,
and the defence opened but from all appearances 1t
would seem that the case will last until Saturday
THE PROCEEDINGS
Mrs. Roo was recalled 10 tho stand when court was
opened this morning, and Mr. Bangs continued the
cross-cxamInation Four hours OF tho rigid qucs-
tionng failed to shake OF the statements given in
tho direct testimony. II sought discover II tho
defendants conduct had always been cruel. and the
VITO, whom no had abused for years. searched through
all the faded flowers OF memory and could Gnd but two
poor weeds; she remembered that once long
ago, wanted peach and he sent South
for III; once again he looked all town
for corn bread, because she asked IL; sho
SAID she had been three years from school when she
married the defendant. When asked II during that
time sbo had ever been taught how 10 caro- Tor
aud regulate its economy she answered ..Yes: She
IN moi n In ual0 md
her unclc's house In Washington, ID. @. she remcml-
bcrcd having stated to several parties that thought
Mr. Roe was insane; she explained that she had never
volunteered any such informaon; she made tho state
ments to persons who spoke to hcr OF
MR.. ROEs CRuELTY.
she wanted to excuse him to them and lesson his
sponsibty; II was not with tho intention detract-
ina from his dignity that sho made these statements;
she believed IN her heart that tho insane nj
times.
Ibid you ever say you thouaht anyone else in the
house was insane ?" asked Mr. Bangs.
Mrs. Roo remembered having said TO Margaret
Doran, who was acting very strangely "You must DO
crazy"
Her husband once threatened that he would LINK her
name with mans and thus bring her to his feet for
no knew how scandal worried her; gentlemen called
to Mrs. Roe and she sent them away, stating that
her duties were up stairs tor fear talk might DO
occasioned by hcr husband and Mr. Clark. "a relative
Of his; she knew OF n Will other than the admitted
probate by the Surrogate; did not know whether It
was destroyed or not, only knew she had not IL
since before old Mr.. Roo died; after Mr. Roe's
sign deeds and mortgages he wanted to turn his real
estate into personal property he said that no could
Will II away no pleased and leave herself and chill
drcn without anything; no abused her before her it,
tic daughter one morning, and when the little erl be-
ordered her 10 sit still and raised his hand strike
her; on that occasion she rushed at him
and told him not to dare strike her child;
she was alivo TO protect her; he pushed
Mrs. Roc and she fell on tho nocr. .Yes rushed at
him hit the little one Once ho fought with her be-
she had gwen up tho best to the sick child
nc said no did not want any man to hear her sing
play no took her horse aud phacton away then gavo
them back TO her, then took them away again.
On redirect examination she sworo that her husband
had called her vile names; that she heard gwen as
reason why certain friend OF hers did not call that
Mr. Clark and Mr.. Roo had discussed her personal
conduct IN public place IN Ncwburg; when she
spoke to Mr. Roo about II he said hc had heard Tho
true; she said If her husband would not protect her
from these vile ISLANDERS she would have do
She could herself when IN Chester England she forgot
one morning to bring down his paper 10 tho breakfast
table, and no began to abuse her the presence oil the
waters he said ''You are not doing your duty, you
know you are paid to travel with and wait me 20
subsequent TO Tins tho servants insulied her, as they
believed what they had heard Mr.. Roo say.
DIR. roLEs TESTIMONY.
DR.. Polk Of New York city, the next witness
called He testified to tho fact that he attended Mrs
Roc in 1871, ut No. 40 West Twcntyhfth street. Now
York, and found her suffering IRON cpicardIiis and
endicardits and night no aud DR.. Flint left her
It not expected that she would live until morning
This the occasion when Mrs. Proudfoot whose los
tlmony Is published below, heard MIR. Roc say, "You
not sick, sc. up"
pRorrnRs TESTIMONY
Mr.. Norton tho brother Of Mrs. Roc, who Is spoken
OF as having Como IN Europe with her protector,
next called. lie confirmed tho story Of cruel
treatment by tho defendant and narrated many other
incidents Of cruelty forgotten omitted IN the test
mony OF his sister Tho greater part OF his evidence
howevor, was in support OF the specifications alleged
IN his sisters diroct testimony. HIS direct examna-
ton occupied tho latter part OF tho morning hour,
and when it closed a recess for dinner taken.
AFTER RECESS.
After the dinner hour Mr.. Norton was CROSS
examined by counsel Tor the defence He said no had
received money from Mr.. Roc since his return from
Europe, for which no had rendered service; re-
ceivcd tho money at various times Of from TO
months apart
Redirect by Mr. Burnc,,-whcn Mr. Roo FIRST wanted
me to go to Europe refused, as nad good Sit
ton nj the time; Mr. Roc told ut tho time
would give me an interest In tho business or would pay
me SIC 900 year II would give up my situation In
New York and go across the ocean with him Mr. Roc
has neither gvcn tho business interest he prom
ised nor tho $40, 600
EoE's MOTHER on THE STAND
Mrs. Mary =. Norton, mother OF tho plaintiff, was
next called. She testified that present she resides
Cornwall with Mr.. james; visited hcr daugh-
ter several times after her marriage to de-
OF plaintiffs first child; did not see any
instance OF cruel treatment during that visit madc
March, 1875: during Tits last visit she heard Mr. Roo
use language to his wife, at the breakfast table, TOO
reply to ms trade; witness demonstrated with Mr.
Roe for hts vile language, anu asked him remember
that DR.. Fnnt, OF New York, had SAID that her dnugh-
tor might drop dead at any moment II subjected to ny
undue excitement.
Rog's WOMEN
Mr. Roc told witness that no considered women no
better than dogs, and only ~ for such IA
accorded dogs; said that he regretted that tho old
English law, allowing man TO whip his wife with
slick no bigger than hts thumb, was not In vogue
now; whom little Annie was sick Mr. Roo would
not allow any food except bread and tea or
mix TO be taken TO hcr In the nursery; he
said that Annie well enough TO come
down To tabo; Annie tnaIy got little piece Of steak
ana Mr.. Roe came IN while she eating It; ho was
worry angry, and was about TO punish tho little child,
when Mrs Roe nterfcrcd; Mr.. Roo pushed hcr away
and then seized her by the wrists when he released
Ms hold thoro was blood on both Mrs. Roofs wrists;
this took place sabbath The cross ion
elected nothing but confirmation OF the direct tcst-
mony.
Elizabeth Mcdonald was tho next witness called,
Eight years ago she In the OF complainant
and Defendant Snc related several scenes OF cruel
treatment OF which slo was witness.
TIKI TESTIMONY or A ROE.
James G. Zoe. "A dIafani rclnilya of Tho dcfcndnni