The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-07
THE ROSS DIrORCE SUIT.
Mother and Son Testifyinu to the Cruelty OF
Husband aud Father.

PouoHKEEPsIE, April G. Tho divorce suit
OF Ross against Ross VIVA resumed to-day in
Ju igc Nelson's oil r before Referee benjamin
Fowler. Ex-Judgc Charles Wheaton md John
Nelson appeared for Mrs. Maria Louisa R's-s
the wife. and Mr. PafsOlu5 oil New York for Will
liam Ross. the husband.
Mrs. Ross was tho first wltnoea called and
WINS questioned by judge Wheaton. Shc tcsii-
fed that in July. 1871 when she was cleaning
the refrigerator. the man brought in big cake
Of Ice. and then went out. Mr.. Ross camc in
and SAID something Hbout the man. and
pushed her against tho refrigerator. and
slapped her face in an angry manner
She went in and told her son. nnd then started
TO go up stairs. Mr.. Ross met hor. struck her.
seized her by the hair. and pulled her down.
Her son came out and said " Father. no man
but coward will strka woman. and ri pro-
teot mother. any how" Mr.. Ross pulled OF his
coat us though TO ilght and Mrs. Ross stepped
in betwecn them and stopped further trouble.
One morning. five years ago. he came down
stairs and into the kitchen while sho WINS mix
ing bread. and assumed threatening attitude.
She wns afraid. and told him not to strike her
but he did hit her in the face. Ono time he held
n teapot over her head IA though TO scald her.
IIo provided for the house as he felt inclined.
Her dry goods bill al Van Klceck's was between
500 and $500 n yoar and he thought 1t worry
nrge. Tho goods were for hcrscf and the ohil-
dtcn, and she didn't think II large bill. He
often told the domestics not to obey her; told
them 50 in her presence He told her he or
drrod butchers and groccrs To give her nothing
unless he sent written order. and shc couldn't
get anything without such order when her
third child tAnnm WIS born. and during her
illness upon that OCCASION, she had not the
necessnr.es for her comfort. and no fire In her
room. For the last twelve years they have sell
dom eaten ~ tho same table; She has ct times
been in bodily fear Of him. That wHS the cnse
some twelve years ago. but since she hns not
been in SO much fear Of him. because. rs she
testified" got SO | didn't care what did be-
come II me-
Mr. Parsons cross-exnmincd the witness She
knew Of nothing that caused him to he angry
but his hatred Of her H. told her she was no
wife that she made him unhappy in everything
that II seemed to bc her main object TO do 40
that she set the children and girls in the house
against him.
William Ross. Jr.. son Of the contestants. was
next sworn.
~ years of age. have lived homo one year in the
acts OF violence by father iowao mother quite frequent
Win his hand - knoci~s .,. mo iic cnsi. SION
NJ! Ss os Ana % "a "sg D.s Is r. ,'F .,% HIM
shake mothorhy anr m the han was In the par.
on nor acs. and ~ went in thc hall and thcn heart
her cry Father stood the nr- step OF the stairs and
mother st On thc floor ami hc had his haui, ia her
hair. shaking her I told linn wouldn't ,cc mother
name. hut don't recall them lie calcd her those
some IN Miss Grorscs presence II occurred quite ire
Cros.c xamiucd Father ha. away. thought ! was IN
league with mother AGAINST hun have alwavs siici
with mother ever since was big enough to understand
meat went elsewhere for meal, aui got none, from
toher Have been hal. a do1,m days without bread
Other evidence was given on the part of Mrs
Ross, and then nm adjournment was taken.