Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-10-05
A LONG TRIAL ENDED.
Morse Must Pay $4,000
10 Mrs. Van H0uten.
WILL ASK FOR A NEW TRIAL.
Interesting Review Of the Testimony
offered In tho Case.

BOSTON, Oct o.-'tOrty tnOusand uOi
lars for the plaintiff" That was the ver-
dict rendered at 8 o'clock last evening in
the supre me judicial court by the jury in
the t60, 900 breach OF promise case brought
nv Mrs. Anna d. Van Houten of Spokane,
Wtsf., against Hon. Asa p. Morse Of
Cambridge.
The end OF the now celebrated trial
came at 1918 o'clock. Then the IL good
men aud true went out, and for four and
one-half hours wrestled with facts and
evidence. Then they returned.
They had decided to discount 33 1-3 per
cent ON Mrs. Van Houten's claim Of
100000.
The trial has been . long and an inter
esting one. It has been conducted behind
closed doors, Justics Barker muzzling the
press during the taking Of evidence. The
story which the dry details Of testimony
tells, boiled down and strained, is an in
teresting one.
what the Testimony Disclosed.
In September. 1889, Mrs. Anna D. Van
Washington with ths effect Of separation
Of Spokane and came to this city. She
In June, 1890, she began to feel the need
Of money She had property In Spokane,
aud with the purpose of raising money on
il she was introduced to Asa p. Morse,
one of Cambridge leading citizens, and
ex-holder Of numerous offices.
Mrs. Van Houten seemed to have
pencbant for melting into tears, and ere
she had finished her business the food
gates were opened, inquiries from Mr..
Morse were In order 1t was discovered
that she was alone and 30 lonely; he was a
widower, and quite without meaning any
thing, In fact before either of the parties
thought at all, tho story goes Mrs. Van
Houten had consented to meet Mr.. Morse
again and frequently, to talk over matters
of business.
The acquaintance proved felicitous
one, and ripensd into friendship, as both
admit, and love. MrA Van Houtsn claims.
Mr. Morse promised TO help her, and dur
ing the next few months they met fire.
quently. At his request the lady moved
TO Mt Vernon street. Here Mr.. Morse
called, and waited on her In her room fire.
quently.
Money was advanced her all the time by
the defendant. In the middle OF November
he made loan of e5O00
The formal proposal In 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 the
trip.
But absence made his heart grow fonder,
and from Saratoga he wrote, asking her
to come and see him. She came. He
kissed her on many occasions, the lady
claims. and the accused does not point
blank deny the soft impeachment
"An Engagement Token"
At Saratoga q $500 diamond ring was
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 q Saratoga souvenir" although
the jeweler furnishing IL ordered 1t from
New York. Later Mr. Morse demanded
It's return, because she smiled at clergy
man.
After they came back from Saratoga
Mrs. Van Houten went to Lexington to
live, and here Mr.. Morse went to spend
his Sundays Later she came to the
Parker House, and afterward to Ash
burton place. At this time she claims she
began to get her wedding clothing. all Of
which Mr.. Morse insisted should be
marked M"
In November, 1891, Mr.. Morse showed
the lady of his supposed choice some we'd
ding certificates Then arrangements were
made for wedding in Toledo and bridal
trip to Hot Springs.
But love appears to have grown cold
shortly after this. Mr.. Morse admits that
there may have been q conditional engage
ment, based on business affairs, he having
assumed charge Of her property and ad-
vanced much money on 1t.
Mrs. Van Houten has no doubt of an en-
gagement. But marriage did not ensue,
the reason for its many postponements
and final abandonment appearing to be
Mr. Morss's daughters objection to the
acquisition Of . now and youthful
mamma.
So breach Of promise suit ensued, with
the result stated above Mr.. Morse will
ask for new trial.
The plaintiff 1 q charming looking
woman Of IS, while the defendant has
passed the allotted age Of three score and
&~n.