The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-12
DE WALDEN's DIVORCE SUIT.
An English Scandal Case Ends In Court
Lady Blanche Wins.


LONDON, March L-Lady Blanche con-
tinued her testimony today in the Howard
de Walden divorce suit. She testified that
before going to Bournemouth to see her
child, she stayed at her residence in York
shire. Count Jean de Madre was also
there. but she did not give him the name
Of tho hotel At which she proposed stop
ping. The count had perhaps seen her of
on the train at Waterloo station, but he
dined with her only once at Bournemouth.
She had not seen him since 1891. Lady
Blanche concluded her testimony and the
case was closed. The jury after only a
few minutes elaboration, arrived at the
verdict that Lads Blanche was not guilty
of adultery, and that Lord Howard de
Walden was guilty of cruelty. Judge
JENNIE. in pursuance of this verdict. there
fore pronounced his decision. granting
judicial separation to Lady Blanche from
her husband. Lord Howard: also granting
the costs to her ladysnip and awarding her
the custody of their SON.
The aristocracy OF London has taken great In.
terest in the De Walden divorce case, and the
domestic differences OF the family have long
been q matter OF discussion. with opinion favor
able to one or the other, according TO the nature
OF the scandal gossip emanating from the house
hold. Lord Howard de Walden, against whom
suit was brought by Lady Blanche. IL one OF the
great ground landlords Of London. His lordship
II OF distinguished lineage. The FIRST Baron
Howard de Walden was the son OF Thomas,
fourth Duke OF Norfolk, BY Margaret daughter
and heir OF Thomas Lord Audley OF Walden.
The barony dates from 1897, and six years later
the first baron was made Earl OF Suffolk. As an
earl marshal he was instrumental In discover
Ing the gunpowder plot The granddaughter OF
the nth Baron Howard do Walden married, in
l79S, Charles Rose Ellis, member OF . distin-
guished Jamaica family. He was created Baron
seaford. The son Of this marriage. Charles
Augustus Ella, succeeded his eat-grandfather
In 1908 AZ sixth Baron Howard do Walden. In
early life his lordship had been . captain in the
army, and was sfterward distinguished diplo.
mstist He died in 1868. when he was succeeded
By his eldest son. Frederick George. the present
1ofd Howard do Walden and Baron Sea-
ford Lord Howard was formerly . member
of the Seventh Hussars. Lady Blanche was the
daughter Of william Holden, Esq, and was mar.
risd to Lord Howard in 1876 She Was then 10
years OF age and her husband was Is years old.
1t appeared from the testimony that Lord How.
ard was brutal in his conduct. had frequently
abused his wife's parents and accused her Of
thief: on different occasions He had twisted
her arm and forced her to her knees, and thrown
. heavy book ct her In the presence OF Maj. Ora.
ham, who intercepted the missile. He had also
struck his wife with hairbrush, drawing blood.
He had also struck her with his fsts, locked tho
doors upon her aud threatened to shoot her.
He frequently returned homo drunk aud de-
veloped hoggish habits. In June, 1853, the pair
mutually agreed TO separate, the husband agree
ing to make an allowance TO his wife OF ESQ
yearly. He afterward gradually withdrew their
son. Thomas Evelyn, born in 1850. from the con.
troll OF Lady Blanche. and withdrew the allow.
ancs In April 1881. He had acted as
II he ignored her existence, had refused
her the means to pay household bills,
and kept her without money. He had
sworn At her and called her vile names. Once
when she went TO the Goodwood races alone he
learning OF the fact, cursed her and struck her
so severely that she was nearly senselesa. Lady
Blanche stated that she once found her hus-
bands conduct SO intolerable that she deter.
mined to prosecute him, but Lady Ossington
aud Lady Harriet Bentinck urged her TO do any
thing 20 avoid q scandal, and she yielded to
their advice. Her misery continued Whom
drunk he fred revolvers about the house and
sometimes cred IL the streets. Lord Howard's
allegations in . cross suit were adultery with
Count Jean de Madre, a Partisan. master OF fox
hounds at Pau, and Capt Winter. An ilustr,-
Gus array OF counsel had been engaged Lord dc
Walden was represented by Sir Edward Clarke.
Andrew lndewick. q c.. and J. C. Coward
Lady Blanche was represented by SIR Henry
James. Frank lockwood, Q, C., and Richard
Searie