The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1893-07-06
Plain Words from Judge Pryor.

Plain Words from Judge Pryor.
In New York is being tried the suit of
Mrs. Ellen Pollock for $4,000 damages
against Alexander Pollock, the million
aire dealer 10 railway supplies. for elem
ating the affections Of her husband, Ed
ward E. Pollock, the son of the defend
ant. Counsel for defence wished to prove
intimacy before marriage. Judge Roger
A. Pryor asked if there was any dispute
as to the marriage. Alexander THAN,
counsel for the defendant. replied: 1--WE
admit there was q ceremonial marriage,
but propose to show by this witness
and others that this suit to recover $780,
600 damages is part of a plan going back
to the time whom this young man, her
husband, was a school-boy." Judge
Pryor asked II counsel proposed to show
that at that period she had concocted
scheme to marry her husband, have two
children by him, have those children
kidnapped. and havs her husband taken
away from hsr." .'No.n replied counsel.
"Then, said the Judge, whether she
had intimate rotations with hin before
marriage or not b immatsrial, except
possibly, ~ Imposing on him more holy
obligation 70 adhsrs to her. II she sur
rendered herself before marriage, he a.
chivalrous and honest man, = under
greater obligations to her than he would
be under any other circumstances. The
evidence il excluded" The jury clapped
their hands, and the whole audience fol-
lowed in the applause. The court officers
and tho Judge tried to impose silence,
but it waa full minute before quiet was
restored. = Richmond State.
THE WOMAN WON.
A story of more then ordinary interest
was told this week in the Superior Court
Of New York City. 1t was that of a wo-
man, plain to the verge Of homsliness,
and one who stood alone in the world,
despised and cast of by those who ought
to have been her protectors. Worse than
that, riches had a. cayed themselves
against poverty, and strong men had at
tackled the woman's character, and had
sought to brc nd her as s1 quito; It and
an adventures.
The woman was Ellen Pollock, and the
stoi y she told in court wss SO straight
forward, 10 sad, 20 unquestionably true,
that it not only stirred public sympathy,
but led the jury to bring in verdict in
her favor, awsrd 1g $37, 800 damages for
desertion and non-support.
Ellen Pollock was TO. .nerly a servant
girl in a millionaire's family. She was
two or three years the senior of the son
in the family, but between the two grew
up an affection which ended in a secret
marriage. Young Pollock lived with his
wife until two children were born, and
the union was confessed to be happy
one. r4U $3.50
But it becomes necessary at last to re-
veal the marriage, sud when this was
done the millionaire was furious. By
threats and other influences he fiually
induced his son to leave the woman, and
refuse to minister to her support. A di-
.vorce was secured by the son in South
Dakota, aud he married another woman,
and at this stage of the game the recent
suit was brought to recover damages.
The chief point in this story is that
the woman acted lIonorablye from the
start. She may have been indscrete in
permitting attention. from her employs
er's son, and she may have crowned that
indiscretion with folly in me ,rying him.
But there il no law, even in the social
code, forbiddlns young people to fall in
love, while there is law in the Empire
State to compel support in case of hon
orabls marriage, and everybody is glad
thatit has been applied to Millionaire
Pollock. Herald. s
The distinguished Jurst referred to
above, Judge Roger Pryor, is native Of
Virginia, but has resided in New York
City for several years past. He hole tone
Of the most ..nportant Judicial positions
in that great city, and has already made
an enviabis reputation IA a learned and
impartial Jadgs. His course in the above
case will bsapprovsd by every lover Of
justice. - =