The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-16
4 SCANDAL AT WAYCROSS
UGLY TESTIMONY IN A SUIT FOR
ALIMONY.

Miss Julia Rowbotham the Plaintiff.
She Separated From Her Husband
on July 10, and Four Days Later he
Filed a Suit For Divorce-de Accuses
Her of Cruel Treatment.
WAYCROss. GA, April ia very SEN
sational suit for alimony was heard before
Judge Sweat in chambers to-day. 10 was
the case of Mrs. Julia H Rowbotham VS..
Harry D. Rowbotham. At the April term
of the superior court the case of d. ID. Row
botham vs. Julia h. RowbOtham, suit for
divorce. was tried and the first verdict for
a total divorce was reached. MIR. Row
botham and bis wife separated on July IS,
1892, and on July y, 1892, Mr.. Rowbotham
fled suit for divorce against Mrs.
Rowbotham, alleging cruel treatment.
On the day the suit was filed Mrs.
Rowbotham was notified aud she left for
Gainesville. Fla, that night This morn
ing the petition OF Mrs. Rowbotham for ali
mony, alleging that her husband had de-
serted her in order TO secure his mothers
money, as his mother had told him she
would not leave him but 10 cents if he
didn't get q divorce from his wife, was
read before the court.
H. u. Rowbotham was the first witness
called. BE testified that on several oc-
casions Mrs R)wbotham Ehad tn reatened
his life with pistol knife and poison; that
her conduct toward other men in
his house during his absence had
been improper: that strychnine had been
found in a trunk where Mrs. Rowbotham
had put it that his wife had free access to
his money. and that he was kind to her.
THE MoTBER-IN-LAw's STORY,
Mrs. Mary Rowbotnam, the mother of
Mr.. Row bOtham, testified that IN 1890 her
son and his wife paid her a visit in England;
that she had Inherited 80, 600 from a rela-
tive; that she was invited by Mrs. Row
bothsm to come to Waycross and live with
her; that on her arrival here
she found that her son was cruelty
treated by his wife; that on
one occasion Mrs. Julia Rowbotham drew
a pistol on her son and threatened to blow
his brains out and that she had discovered
Mrs. Rowbotham and Pat Estes in the
house together in d compromising position.
j. G4 Spottswood testified that he met
Mrs. Julia Rowbotham on the train at
Gainesville, Fla, about a year ago, ana
that she made very improper advances;
that he came to Waycross on the train from
GAINESVILLE last night with Mrs. Row
botham and that they had q conversa-
Mis-. Rowbotham said she had been
watched at Gainesville by spies aud she had
not lead an immoral life.
THE WIFE STRIKES BACK.
Mrs. Julia Rowbotham testified that Mr..
RowbOtham was an illegltimate son, that
bis mother was q drunkard and kept a
house of Ill fame in England: that she was
called Mrs. Dunsmore while in England
and that her husband was a drunkard and
had deserted her and thrown her on the
world without penny.
Dr. Dodge testified that on several COCA
sions Mrs. Rowbotham and her sister came
to his Office and that her sister sang very
vulgar song.
IL was shown further in the testimony Of
Mr.. Rowbotham that he had given his wife
500 on the day tue suit for divorce was
filed and that she already had $3.50 Of his
money, that he gave her all the furniture,
amounting TO $500. Love letters, valentines
and receipts for money written by Mrs.
Rowbotham to her husband were produced,
Mrs Rowbotbam dsnied writing all the
letters except one, and denied signing any
of tine receipts.
The Renulneness Of the letters and re-
ceipts was proved to the court.
Malissa Brown testified that she cooked
for Mrs. Rowbotham for about
two months and until month prior TO the
filing of a suit fer DIVORCE that Mrs. Row
botham was very cruel to her husband; ;
that on one occasion Mrs. Rowbotham drew
a carving knife on her husband and swore
she would cut his throat; that Patrick Estes
was a frequent caller at the house during
the absence of Mr.. Rowb0tham and that
their conduct was improper.
Another cook testified that Mrs. Row
botham showed her large roll OF green
backs aud said she was rich.
The evidence showed that Mr.. Row.
botham was a legitimate son and that
Mrs. Mary Rowbotham, his mother,
is a lady Of good character and sober
habits.
At o'clock the evidence in the case had
all heen heard and the court ordered Mr..
Row botbam to pay Mrs. Rowbotham $40
a month from May l TO the November term
OF court aud also to pay her attorney fee of
$50.