Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-03-03
DIVORCE IN HIGH LIFE

Lord Howard de Walden Being sued by
Hts Wife-Ho Makes Counter Charges.
LONDON, March 3.-The suit for divorce
on the ground of cruelty from her hus-
band, Lord Howard de Walden, by Lady
Blanche, which began yesterday in the
Divorce court, is causing a futter of ex-
element in British society circles, both
parties being very we'll known.
Lord Howard is a man Of very large
wealth, and is one of the great ground
landlords CT London.
In the cases on trial now his lordship
accuses Lady de Walden of adultery with
Count dean de Madre, and with Captain
Winter, and her ladyship seeks a separa-
ton on the ground of alleged cruelties on
the part of her husband
Her ladyship is represented by Sir
Henry James, Frank Lockwood, o. c.,
and Richard Searle.
The courtroom was crowded with
women of fashion in gay and recherche
costumes. Lady Blanche de Walden was
dressed in stylish attire, and laughed and
chatted merrily with her venerable
mother, the Lady Lucy de Walden.
who is daughter of the fourth Duke OF
Portland.
In his opening Sir Henry James stated
| that Lord Howard de Walden was mar
the daughter of William Holden, Esquire,
being at that time 10 years of age and
| his lordship 46 years Of age.
Mr.. James stated that his Lordship had
| frequently abused his wife's parents, and
| accused her of theft on different occa-
sions. He had twisted her arm, and
| forced her on her knees, and thrown
heavy book at her, in the presence of
Major Graham, who Intercepted the
missile His Lordship had also struck
his wife with hair-brush, drawing blood.
| He had also struck her with his fists,
| locked the doors upon her and threatened
| to shoot her.
He frequently returned home drunk,
| and developed filthy and hoggish habits.
| In June 1888, the pair mutually agreed
to separate, his Lordship agreeing to
/ make an allowance to her Ladyship of
! $50 pounds yearly.
| His Lordship afterward gradually
| withdrew their son, Thomas Evelyn,
born in 1880, from the control of her
Ladyship, and withdrew the allowance
| in April, 1891.
Lady Blanche was called as the first
witness in her own behalf. In her testi-
mony she confirmed what Sir Henry
james had stated in regard to her hus-
bands cruelty and misconduct. She also
testified that his lordship went to race
meetings and also to Brighton for weeks
together, and refused to allow her to ac-
company him.
He had sworn at her and called her a
prostitute. Once, when she went to the
Goodwood races alone, his Lorlship learn
ing the fact, cursed her, and struck her
80 severely that she was nearly senseless
Lady Blanche stated that she once
found her husbands conduct SO intoler-
able that she determined to prosecute
him; but Lady Ossington and Lady Har
riet Bentinck urged her to do anything tc
avoid scandal, and she yielded to thei
advice.
Her misery continued. Her husband
often spent the night in drinking, and re-
tired to rest at 10 o'clock in the morn
ing, rising at o'clock in the evening
When drunk he fired revolvcrS about tn :
house, and sometimes he fired in the
streets.
The case was adjourned at this point
The hearing, which has excited grea
public interest, is likely to last for sew
| eral days.