Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-10-06
Loss rs,al FADED.
Asa p. nsss Hsst Pay Mrs VA ksstsa .
cssl SO. 600

Ro~roy. Ors. a-.Fcrsy thousand dol
lar, for the pisintifff' That was the YER
dict rendered at o'clock last evening IN
the supreme Judicial court by the lury IN
the eli, 900 breach of promise case brought
by Mrs. Anns u. Van Hoaten Of Spokane.
WISH. again Hon. Asa p. Morse OF
CambFidgr.
The end of the now celebrated trial
came At l2.iS o'clock Then the u good
men sed true went oat. and for four aud
aue-haIf hours wrvstled with facts and
evidence. Thea they returned.
They had decided to discount - is pei
cent On Ms. Van Houten's claim Of
81,
TIE trial has been g long and an inter
estiug one. 1t has been conducted behind
closed doors. Justice Barker nszzling the
| press during the taking OF evidence. The
story which the dry details Of testimony
tells. boiled down and strained, is AL in
| terestiug one
What the Testimony Disclosed
In September. 1889, Mrs Aans ID, Van
Houtea CONSULTED the divorce courts OF
Washington with the effect OF a separation
| from her husband, Senator Van Houtel
| Of Spokane and came 10 this city. sac
entered the New England conservatory.
IL June, 1899, she began tc feel the need
Of money. She had property III Spokane,
and with the purpose OF raising money on
| it she was introduced to Asa p. Morse,
| one of Cambridge's leading citizens, and
ex holder of numerous Offices
| Mrs. Van Houten seemed To have
| penehant for melting into tears, and erS
| she had finished her business the Hood
gates were opened, inquiries from Mr..
| MORSE were in order. It was discovere
| that she was alone and SO lonely; he WAS a
| widower, and quite without meaning any
| thing. in fac. before either of the parties
| thought at all. the story goes, Mr., ~
| Huuten had consented to meet Mr.. =. 81
| again and frequently, to tai over matteg'
| OF business
The acquaiDtauee proved fe,ieitou'
| one, and ripeued into frlendslin, AS hotl
| admit, aud love. Mrs. Van III nute!l claims.
| Mr. Morse promised to help her, and dur
| ing the next few months they met IRE
| uuently At his request the LAZY moved
| 10 Nj. Vernon street. Here Mr. Moss
| called and waited on her in her room FIRE
| queutly.
| Money was advanced her all the time by
| the defendant In the middle of November
| he matle a loan Of 5000.
| The formal proposal is alleged to have
| taken place in May, 1891. The lady Of
| course accepted the offer. Shortly after
| ward she wanted to visit friends in Ohio
| and Mr.. Morse furnished money for thu
| trip.
| But absence made his heart grow fonder
| aud from Saratoga he wrote, asking bel
| 10 come and see him. She came, ii,
| kissed her on many occasions, the lady
| claims. and the accused does not poin'
blank deny the soft impeachment
| An Engagement Token"
| At Saratoga u 500 diamond ring wa
| bought Mrs. Van Houten says this was
| given her as an engagement token. Mr.
| Morse says it was bought by the lady her
self as a Saratoga souvenir" although
| the irweler furnishing it ordered IL from
| New York. Later Mr. Morse demanded
its return, because she smiled at a clergy
| man.
| After they came back from Saratoga
| Mrs. Van Uouten went to Lexington Il
| live. and here Mr.. Morse went to spend
| his SUNDAYS. Later She came to thu
| Parker House, and afterward to Ash
| burton place. At this time she claims sht
begin to get her wedding clothing, all o
which Mr.. Morse insisted should b,
marked M"
| In November. 1891. Mr.. Morse showet
the lady of his supposed choice some wed
ains certificates Thea nrrnH Gements wer'
made Tor Il wedding in Toledo AMI u brida
;Tip "a Hot Springs.
Bnt love appears to have grown colo
,hortly after this Mr.. Morse admits tha
here may have been "A e0n,litiouai engage
mcut, based on business affairs, he havinl
assumed charge of her property and ad
Vanced much money on il.
Mrs. Van Houtcn has no doubt Of al eli
| gagemeut But marriage did not eusue
the reason for ITS many postponemeut'
| md final abandonment appearing to b,
Mr. Morse's daughters objection to thu
acquisition Of new and youthful
mamma.
SO breach of promise suit ensued, witt
he result stated above, Mr.. Morse will
| ask for new trial,
| The plaintiff charming lookini
| woman Of -. while the defendant ha
nasset the allotted age Of three score aus
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