The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-02

Shocking Revelations in tho Suit OF RUS
sell ys. Russell for Divorce In an
English Court. NJ
E LONDON, Dec. LIN the division Of her
mnjesty's high court OF justice before jus
tice Butt, there was commenced to-day d
case which excites much comment particu-
larly in the higher walks Of English life.
Tho cRae ID the application Of Countess
Russell for a judicial separation from her
husband, Earl Russell, q grandson Of the
great Lord John RUSSELL, on the ground Of
cruelty. The troubles between the earl
and his wife have been public talk for sew
ernl. months past. The parties to the suit
arc we'll known in society, and tho allsga-
tions and counter allegations have afforded
topics for conversation in the many circles
Of polite society. The carl denies the alls-
cations made By his wife. and explains that
the whole trouble in due to his mother-in-.
Inv. Sir Charles Russell appeared
for tho earl and Sir Edward Clarke,
the solicitor general, represented the
countess. The petition Of the
countess states that from the time she was
maNied, in February. 1890. until she left
him, Earl Russell habitunlly treated her
with great harshness and cruelty, terrifying
her and injuring her health. The earl COM
PEELED her to remain up until two OF three
O'Clock in the morning doing his accounts.
He also threatened her with q revolver, not
being contented with abusing and insulting
her in the privacy Of their apartments, he
acted toward her in such d waysas to humil-
late her before her servants. The court
room was crowded with large number of
persons who listened with close attention
to the proceedings. The countesa, accom-
panied by her mother and sister, were
present. She and her relatives occupied
seats in ths back part Of the court room,
seeming to desire to escape from the obser-
vation OF the crowd. % gi
Sir Edward Clarke, for the petitioner, in
opening the case to-day, said that the par
ties to the suit had lived together for only
four months owing to the conduct Of the
earl. Afterwards the countess was induced
to return to her husband ana they res.med
their former married relations. This con
tinued but short time, however, when the
countess found the earl's action intolerable
and they again separated a ftersst this Il Inst
|gepnrAtion the earl wrote aisecGionateiy to
the countess and implorsd her to return to
him. The countess was persuaded against
her better Judgment and returned to her
husband but his aflectionate treatment
Was of short duration. Heagain used per-
sonal violence against her and made her
life miserable.
The countess then lost all hope of living
happily with her husband, and she again
left him. Prior to the separation the mat
ter of the countess's support was talked
over and the earl agreed to allow her $50
month for her expenses. This agreement
tho earl violated. He paid the first monthly
allowance, but after that the countess re-
ceiyed nothing from him except checks for
the amount promised, which checks, when
presented at the bunk, were returned dis
honored. > .v
In presenting ths case for the countess,
Sir Edward Clarke stated that when the
tion of 42O,000. This money. however, had
nothing to do with the troubles. When the
countess was suffering from an attack OF
influenza tho earl, Sir Edward declared,
compelled her to accompany him on rech
less drives in inclement weather, much to
her injury. The earl made it practice to
leave her room and stay with man named
Roberts, who was sleeping in the house.
Ho made the countess go to the servants
closets to see il they were provided with
proper requisites. AS IN evidence Of the
estimation in which the earl held his wife,
Sir Edward stated that he often said he
would like to see her carried out of the
house in q coffin.
Referring to the earl's accounts, Sir Ed
ward said that he would compel the countess
to arise after she had retired and go down
stairs to fix them up. He would then abuse
her in the most violent terms. On more
than ono occasion he threw her to the floor
and commanded her not to move until he
returned aud gave her permission. After
denying that his olient was, at present 'or
had ever been afflicted with Mysteries, he
stated that this man Roberts was mathe-
matical master Of a school ut Bath. SER
ious suggestion against Earl Russell was
ertB, Sir Edward declared, and his wife
could not feel otherwise than outraged and
distressed by these relations. 10 show the
brutal nature of the earl, sir Edward cited
an instance to show that he used to drag
cats about with strings around their necks.
More than once he amused himself by
throwing cat at the ceiling until he nearly
killed the poor beast. The countess re-
with the earl against this cru-
city, whereupon the latter said: u will lick
you into shape il you don't mlnd.' When
the countess objected to Roberts presence
in the house, the earl told her to go to the
devil. Continuing, Sir Edward said the
earl was much upset by the prospect OF the
countess not having II child. lie abused
her vilely for this. .-.u...
Early in May the earl and countess pro-
posed to attend a levee. The carl made her
act as his valet while in London. Ihe
countess was naturally annoyed that her
husband should force her to perform
nenial services and told him she was sorry
abe ever married him. Tho carl ut once
rang the bell and told the servant who
answered to summon Lady SCOTT, the coun-
tesa' mother When Indy Scott entered
tho room tho earl said: Here is your
sacred daughter. Take her away ms soon
as you like and you can 30 to the devil"
quest, after their temporary separation,
nnds and in faintinr condition on the
floor OF the room occupied by her and the
earl. The earl told tho maid who had gone
to the room that some water had fallen on
the countess nightdress and he had taken |
1t off.
When Sir Edward concluded his address
ho called the first witnoss. This was the
Countess Russell She arose from 4 seat |
IN tho renr Of the room and made her way
to the Witness box. When she had taken
her place Sir Edward proceeded to uuas-
tion her. The countess anid the earl hnd I
told her he kept q londed pistol convenient
md would shoot her IL Hne annoyed him.
When she loft tho earl shs naked him to
kiss her and he refused with MI oath. DO
seribug quarrel that occurred between
f,esaelf and the earl, the countess stated
M 4 the latter rushed about the room yall-