St. Paul daily globe., 1891-12-04
Sir Charles Russell Ridicules
the Charges Against His
Client,
But the Disgraeed Dude on the
Stand Brands Himself a
Scoundrel.
Reporters Uncover a Secret
Den Of VenomouS Vice in
Denver.

the least sign of abatement. On the
contrary, it may be said that the general
public displays more avidity to learn all
the details OF this sad expose of the life
of one of Great Britain's most noble
peers. On all sides comparisons are
made between the present holder of the
title Of Earl Russell and his great an
cester, Lord John, and later Earl Rus
sell, whose work in behalf of Great
Britain and the British people is mat
ter of history.
1t is needless to add that these COM
parsons do not rebound to the credit of
the successor of the great English states
man. The feeling entertained for Earl
Russell by the lower classes was amply
evidenced by his treatment as he left
the law courts Yesterday, when the
mob hOOted at him and some of the more
hotheaded tried to strike him. Though
the members of his own class have not
been carried as far as this, there is no
denying the fact that the gentlemen and
ladies in the ariStocratic circle 10 which
the earl belongs look upon him with
contempt and disgust.
Russe,l's Ridicule.
This morning when Justice Butt took
his seat the court room was densely
packed with an eager audience. Sir
Charles Russell, continuing his presen-
tation of the case for the earl, declared
that the petitioner, Countess Russell,
had not only exaggerated such facts as
she had brought forward, but had sup
pressed others which she thought
NVnll Id hQfrItpnnfol n fo hor olaina Ia
ridiculed the idea that Earl Russell had
kept pistol convenient for the pur-
pose of shooting his wife. and went on
to explain many of her allegations as
freaks of the Imagination.
Immediately upon the conclusion of
Sir Charles RuSselPs address, he called
the first witness for the defense, Prof.
Roberts, TO whom the countess at
tributes much of her unhappineSS
Roberts is mathematical master at
Bath. and is in the habit of staying fire.
quently at the residence of Earl Rus
sell.
Prof. Roberts. in reply to questions
put to him by Sir Charles Russell, testi-
fed that he was friendly with the earl
at college, and. after the marriage of the
earl and Lady Mabel Scott, he visited
them at their home. He had sung with
the countess and had thought her a
charming hostess. The witness made a
puted to him by the countess in rela-
ton to the earl.
The Noble Earl Denies.
A thrill of expectation went through
the audience when Earl Russell was
called to take the stand in his own de-
fense. The witness testified that he
had never heard the slightest objection
made to the presence of Prof. Roberts
in his house. Witness had objected to
his wife going to certain lady'S house,
and based his objection Oh the fact that
the lady was divorce. The earl de-
clared that he never insisted that the
countess should dress him. lie was very
much attached to her, and had tried to
make things pleasant for her.
Sir Charles Russell drew from the earl
his version of the bedroom incident,
when the countess was found nude and
faint OH the floor, as testified to by her
maid. The earl said that after he aud
his wife had retired he declared that he
would not go to Lady SaIiSbuTy'S, owing
to the refusal of the countess to go to
Amberly cottage, the earl's residence at
Maldenhead, in Berkshire. The countess
got out of bed and tainted on the floor.
When she came to he said "How are
you, darling?" She replied: Don't
you dare call me darling" and then
threw soap dish at him and made for
him with a poker. She threatened to
throw herself out of a window if he re-
manned in the room with her.
The earl declared that the statements
made by the countess that he left her
and went to Prof. Roberts bedroom
were absolutely false. Once when his
wife was hySterical he had held her
wrists TO prevent her from tearing his
dressing jacket to pieces. The earl adj
mitted he had once used the word
barren" in conversation with his wife.
but he had only used it in fun. He
denied the
Cruelty to Cats
that had been attributed to him. In
stead of being cruel to the animals, he
was fond of them. He had tossed a cat
into the air playfully, but had not
thrown it against the ceiling until he
had almost killed it. Witness had never
told his wife to plead the Infant act, -
and by this means avoid paying her
debts. On the contrary, he him.
self agreed to pay her debts.
Further questioned, the earl stated
that he did not think his wife'S health
or nerves suffered during her married
life. Her ailments were caused by un-
accustomed restraints. The witness
when asked to give an instance of un-
accustomed restraint replied that one
instance was his limiting his wife to
six cigarettes a day.
The witness declared that he was not
unduly anxious to have a son. He de-
MED that he had ever sworn at his wife,
or called her brute or a beast. He
was much annoyed shortly after her
marriage by learning that many of the
countess debts were unpaid. Once a
miiliner came to the house and created
a bother. The countess came to witness
ana asked him to get her out ''fOr
Gods sake" adding ''She is screaming
in the hail and cannot get rid of her. .
The earl stated that once the countess
told him she was damned Sorry" she
had married him.
Disgracefui Admissions.
This closed the direct examination.
and Sir Charles Russell handed the wit
ness over to Sir Edward Clarke for
crOSs-eXaminatiOn. Among the first
questions he put referred to the earle'S
conduct before his marriage. The earl
admitted that before he married he had
Seduced servants. lie said he once en-
ployed gardner who had two daugh-
terS- The latter were employed as
bouSemaidS, and the earl seduced one
of them. The intimacy continued until
within a short time of his engagement
to Lady Mabel Scott. The girl brought
action against HIM for breach of prom
Use Of marriage. He paid her $500
down, and was to pay her 81 per week.
He is still paying her this latter sum.
He had told Lady Mabel Scott. his
tiancee. all the circumstances, and she
found that no reason to discard him.
At this point court adjourned. Count
esS Russell and party drove to the Savoy
hotel, while Earl Russell left the court
by the judges exit. and proceeded to
the law offices of Sir Charles Russell.