Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-12-05
Countess Russell Applies For Ju.
dieial Separation from Her
Husband
As Reason She Makes the Most
Shocking Charges OF Cru
city.
High Social Standing Of the Parties
Involved Causes a Great
Sensation.

her husband, Earl Russell grandson of
/ Lord John Russell. on the ground of
I cruelty. The parties to the suit are well
| known in society and the allegations and
| counter-alegabons have afforded topics
! for conversation in many circles of upper
| society.
Earl Russell is but 26 years of age. On
| February 6, 1890, he married Mabel,
daughter of the late Sir Claude Scott, and
a short time thereafter his wife left Ler
| husband. alleging that he was crael to her.
| Her petition states that from the day Of
| her marriage until she left
MIN Earl Russell habitually treated
her with great cruelty ana
harshness, terrifying her and ipjuring her
health. After she left him at the expira.
ton of the first four months he induced
! her by means of many promises to return.
! After a short time they again separated
! her to return. The countess was per.
suaded against her better Judgment, but
| his kindness was of short duration.
In preventing the case for the countess,
| Sir Edward c ark stated that when the
| countess married she had marriage
port of twenty thousand pounds This
money, however had nothing to do with
the troubles When she was suffering
from an attack of influenza the earl, Sir
| Edward declared, compelled her 10 ac-
company him on reckless drives in in
clement weather much TO her injury The
earl made practice TO leave her room and
go and STAG with a man named Roberts,
who was sleeping in the house, He made
the countess 20 to the servants closets to
see il they were provided with the proper
reouigities. As evidence Of the tstima-
ton 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 a cotiin Referring to the
earl's accounts, Sir Edward said 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 Que oc, 3.
sion he threw her to the floor and com.
manded her not TO move until he returned
and gave her permission. After DENYING
that his client was at present or had been
afflicted with Mysteries, he stated that the
man Roberts was mathematical
master Of school at Bath serious
suggestion against Earl Russell was
involved in his alleged relations with
Roberts. Sir Edward declared, and his
wife could not feel otherwise, tnan out
ragged and distressed by these relations.
To show the brutal nature of tbc ear
Sir Edward cited instances how he used 10
drag cats about with strings around their
necks. More than once he amused himself
by throwing a cat at the ceiling until he
nearly killed tho poor beast. The coun-
tess demonstrated with the earl against
this cruelty, whereupon the latter said
81 will lick you into shape If you don I
mind" When the countess objected TO
Roberts presence in the house, the earl
told her to 90 to the devil. Continuing,
Sir Edward said the earl was much upset
bv the prospect of the countess not having
n child. He abused her for this and called
her harsh names. Early in May the Carl
and countess proposed to attend ievee.
The earl made her act az bis valet
while ia I.oudon. The countess was
naturally annoyed that her husband
should force her to perform mental
services and told him she was sorry she
ever married him. The earl at once rang
the bell aud told the servant who answered
TO summon Lady Scott, the countess
aIother. When Lady Scott entered the
| room the earl said Here is your
sacred daughter, take her away as soon as
you like and YOU can 20 to the devil.
When Sir Edwin concluded bis address,
he called the FIRST witness. This was
Countess Russell She arose from her
seat in the rear OF the room and made her
WAY TO the witness stand. When she had
taken her place Sir Edward proceeded TO
question her. He FIRST asked regarding
the presence Of the man Roberts IN The
house and the earl's vislts
o. the room occupied by him.
The countess 81 lied in reply that
she has demonstrated with the earl be-
cause of these visits Being asked II the
earl gave any reasons for gong 70 Rob
: ert' 5 room, the countess made no reply bu
said the earl was more unklnd to hel
{ when Roberts was IN the house, Reply
: ing TO other questions, the coun
tess said tn earl told her
be kept a loaded pistol convenient anl
would shoot be- If she annoyed him. When
she left the earl she asked him 10 kiss hel
Z and he refused with an oath. Describing
) the quarrel that occurred between herself
/ and The earl, the countess stated that th'
latter rush. d about the room yelling and
/ striking the walls with mis- fsts.
z appearance, the earl Is great contras
! 10 his handsome and stylish young wife
3 He is weak eyed, youngish lookinl
4 man, has hair Of a red tinge and what
Q is known in slang parlance as washed
! out." disappearance is not improved By
the spectacles which be wears During
the recital Of the incidents Of his mar
ried life, Earl Russell. who was sitting
in court, frequently buried his face IN NJ
. hands to hide MS laughter. His action
showed that he felt no conjunction TO
= his treatment Of bis wife ne seemed q
b think the whole affair was fine subJec
for mirth. Many spectators whose mind
!. we're not confused by the high socla
o standing Of the earl, looked upon hiu
I with disgust.
Upon the conclusion Of the direct exam
nation the witness was cross examine
a b. Sir Chas. Russell He opened by askin
b The countess If she meant 10 make any IN
/ putatiou against her husband Or Robert.
The witness replied Yes " This an
Y wer given with snap and vim, created
Z sensation. The witness answered tia
n she had never made a direct charg
i ~.