The morning call., 1894-01-07
LAWTON is MEAN.
He Will Not Pay Alimony
to His Wife.
PENDING THE DIVORCE SUIT.
Judge Levy Orders Him to Pay SIS
Out of $160, or He Will Commit
Him for Contempt.

Michael LawtOn, whose name figured so
prominently recently in the trials of Daniel
Daily for the killing of John Lawton and
John j. Carroll on May last at the Po-
trerO, came up before Judge Levy yester-
day on an order TO show cause why he
should not be committed to prison for
contempt of court.
Lawton is the plaintiff in divorce suit,
desiring to be freed from his wife, Mary,
by reason of Ler alleged intimacy with
Daniel DAILY. Some four months ago
Judge Levy made an order directing Law
ton to pay his wife $40 month for the
support of herself and her two children
during the tendency of the action. But
according TO Mrs. LawtOn, he had will
fully disobeyed this order, and ske applied
to the court for relief.
Both parties appeared 10 court, Lawton
being aided by the counsels of George
A. knight, while Dennis Spencer be-
friended Mrs. Lawt0n. When Mrs. Law
ton was put on the witness-stand she tes-
titled that all through the nine years of
their married life her husband had been
very mean in his disposition. She was
sure he had money, as be used constantly
TO bury his weeks wages in the cellar,
where he concealed big iron box. MI
chael owned his homestead, now on Con-
necticut street, at the POtIerO. which was
worth S2100. This lot was purchased by
her husband before they left their home in
Hayes Valley, ami II was all community
property.
In addition to the above statement, Mrs
Lawton testified that her husband had to
her knowledge openly stated that he would
mot pay his wife = cent of alimony
whatever came or went" She had reas on
to fear That he did not intend TO obey the
courts order.
Michael Lawton was asked what he had
TO say TO this complaint. lie said he was
not working ana had had no money since
the order was made. He was perfectly
willing that the court should make any or
der 1t pleased regarding the homestead,
but outside of that be bad no resources
He could hardly get any employment now.
owing 10 the scandal concerning him, and
in two weeks work that be had had since
the order was made he had only earned
sixteen dollars.
In cross examination Lawton denied
that he had made any boast about not pay
ing his wife cent. He said: II did say
hat l had no money, and that even II |
had 1t would be no use tc me as my wife
would be always bothering for alimonv.
She had sworn to have it or put me in
jail"
Thomas Collins said he had known Law
ton seven or eight years. but not init
malely. He saw Lawton cunning from the
City Hall one day and he pointed him out
TO his friend as the fellow that cut holes
in his nouSe." He then spoke to LawtOn
and the latter mentioned the alimony
question, saying that he'd never give up
q cent"
Mrs. Kitte Myers, sister of Mrs. Law
ton, said she had spoken TO Lawton once
on the subject-l aWt ton had then said that
he'd never pay any allmOny. de was very
mean aud would not even buy shoes aud
clothes for his children.
MIR. Spencer wanted 10 call some more
witnesses, but Judge Levy said he had
heard enough. Then knight wanted to
know il Mrs. Lawton would object to the
homestead being sold, as the best way of
cried out IN court, mo, no; want 10 have
tine homestead as il is, for the benefit of
my children. 1t Is all we have. We have
not dollar in money"
Judge Levy said he was satisfied that
LawlOu ought to pay the money. The
fact that not one cent had been paid
toward obeying the order of the court
placed LawtOn In very bad light. How
ever, he did not want to be unusually hard
upon LawtOn. so that he would make an
order directing him to pay S75 on account
of The S160 due by Thursday next, or else
he would be committed to Jail for con-
tempt Of court. Meanwhile the allowance
of $40 a month would run on.
We'll, how about counsel fees, your
HOnOr?" anxiOusly inquired Knight.
ION. let those 90 Tor the present." testify
exclaimed Spencer. what we want 10
do now is to give this woman something
to eat"
Knight laughed, and the parties went
their way.