Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-20
THE WIFE'S STORY.

| MRS. CuRIsTIASCY DESCRIBING THE CRUEL
TIES OF nER HUSBAND.
A few days since the cousel for Mrs,
Christiancy in the diverse suit now
pending between her husband, ex-
Minister Christiancy, and herself, inti-
mated to the attorneys for Christian
cy that they had no desire TO make a
witness of the wife in the case, and
would prefer that the principals to the
suit be not called upon to testify.
The other side informed them that the
ex-senator would be placed upon the
stand, and his testimony taken at the
proper time. Upon becoming acquain-
ted with the fact, the counsel for Mrs.
Christiancy decided that in justice to
themselves they must hear the testi-
mony of their client in the case.
Accordingly session was held at
Washington on Saturday and the
lady placed upon the witness stand,
where she was kept three hours, and
the cross-examination was not finished
at the time of adjournment. In addi-
ton to the attorneys ex-senator Chris
tiancy was present and remained dur
ing the hearing. Mrs. Christiancy
not being competent witness a. to the
charges of aduletry, her testimony was
confined to acts of cruelty as alleged
in her cross bill. She testified that
while residing in Lansing, Mich, with
her husband ib the month of March,
1877, on one occasion he struck her
knocked her down. Again during
and the Christmas holidays in the year
1878, while they where residing in
Washington, he struck her and knock
ed Iher down and during the night
would not permit her TO have any
clothing on the bed. The weather
was extremely cold and she arose and
went to an adjoining room trying TO
make herself more comfortable. When
she started to leave the room which
they had been occupying together he
refused to permit her TO take any
clothing into the next room with her,
and she was compelled TO pass the
night with the raiment she wore
and what little could be found in
the room which she had entered.
In Peru in the north of August,
1879, while living at the Legation,
he struck her several times, aud on
one occasion pushed her out of the
house and shut the door against her.
Afterward che returned with. her hus-
bands son. He struck her again, and
shut both herself and his son out
doors. He then called the son TO come
back, and told him if he went away
with witness it must be forever. The
son answered that it would be forever,
and kept on and escorted her to the
hotel, where she remained over night.
The next day he sent for her to come
back, the messenger saying that he
was very sick, deIiriOus and in almost
a dying condition. She went back to
the Legation, and instead of being
sick, as stated, she found her husband
quietly sitting in the sitting room in
his right mind. He became very kind
TO her and remained so until the next
Monday. Then he came to her bed,
abused her, pinched her, and used all
sorts of violence, and said that he told
an untruth when he said that he was
sorry for the manner in which he
had treated her. One month later al
the Legation he assaulted her while
dressing. AS he was striking her q
gentleman stopping in the house over
night stepped into the room and came
TO her protection. After that she re
fused TO live With him longer and 9
few days later left Peru for home. Nc
material change in her direct testimo.
ny was produced by her crose-exami
ton.