The Washington times., 1894-11-07
) OE LIGHTS ON THE MAJOR
'irs. A. A. Russell's Reply to Her
Husbands Petition for Divorce.
DENIES ALL HIS ALLEGATIONS
Gever Was Aught but True and Loving
Wifs-kffectionate Letters and Verses
Produced In Proof-she Suffered NAL
treatment at His Hands and from His Son.

The curious Olberg forgery case and A. A
Russell. the pension examiner connected
with il. have some light thrown upon them
ly the answer of Mrs. Russell to Russelrs di-
yorce suit. 1t has just been filed by her at
iorney. w. Preston Williamson, and lights up
Ir. Russell in particular in very lively colors.
The grounds OF Russell's suit are cruelty
and lnhdeity. These charges Mrs. Russell
denies wholly. She adds that before their
marriage she was Russelrs housekeeper for
Two years. She was then married to a Mr.
Harvey, but had left him and was living with
her daughter soon after she became his
housekeeper Russell proposed 20 secure di-
vorce for her. She at first refused, but upon
his persuasions she consented, and Russell
employed a lawyer and got the divorce, him
SELF paying all expenses.
During all the time she was housskeeper
their relations were close and confidential,
although Russell had wife in Missouri. He
rented No. 926 street northwest aud fur
nshed il at a cost OF $1,000. There they
lived until he secured his freedom and they
we re married. His son, Lycurgus, lived there
with them.
She denies his charge that she became ad-
dictel 10 drink so as to be unable 10 attend 10
lie household. and says II is Wickedly made,
solely 10 injure her reputation. She says
ne aid not throw tableware at Russell, nor
stabbed him with a bread knife. These
charges are pure inventions intended TO in
uence the court. She puts on the same
level his allegations OF inhdelity with various
persons unknown 10 him, az No. 123 K street
northwest, their home just previous to sepa-
ration. al No. 1927 Ninth street northwest,
her son-in-law's home, and at the Sheridan
House, No. 467 c street northwest. She was
never other than kind to bis son.
On ths other hand, Russell was a man OF
high temper, and often, without provocation,
assaulted her. Being a small woman, she
,ould not protect herself, and for a long time
she was under DR.. Burns care because Of the
osatings ne gave her. More than that, the
son was a most vicious boy, and several times
ueat her. backing her eye and inficting
other painful bruises.
In spite OF this she was at all times a true
aDd loving wife. She Was never guilty OF the
slightest indiscretion either by word or deed,
md guarded his honor as she would her own
lie. IN support OF this, by showing that he
50 regarded her, she has numerous letters
running up 10 the time OF their separation.
These are died with exp. essions of love and
confidence. Several are GIed as exhibits with
he answer. They came almost daily, and
began Well. my poor little darling, and
We'll, my little angel" and usually closing,
Lovingly, your husband, A." One Of them,
dated September %, 1898, contains this gem of
poetry:
Dearest, my own, il cannot be;
h e met, We cannot part;
Again thy lovely form II see,
Tor thou art all the world 10 me,
Sweet idol OF my heart
These letters are written on Interior De-
IL
ol three or four sheets and complain OF his
debts, which he hopes some day to get paid
1p, SO they may not be troubled from that
iource. In one he says he escapes his credi-
,ors impoHunities by having his mail lie at
certain places till be gets back. In letter
Of September 30. 1888. he meets some allusion
% his sleeping with other people by saying
that he never wants TO sleep with anybody
but herself. and she must not think that be-
cause he talked OF having his son come 70
him he has any thought Of leaving her: he
only wanted 10 put the boy IN school where
be would be safely cared for.
BE tells her not TO move without good reA-
son, because the authorities [police) under
stand the situation as 10 Curg, ETC." Hetells
her be has not received his draft Tor pay and
she must put of the rent collector for a few
days, but not to worry, as she shall not be in
convenienced.
Il am worried enough he writes. "The
lnfernHl debts are reaching me now through
the Office. through the chief clerk-but now
don't lot that worry you, for although / AN
crowded, yet I'll worry it through, as much
for your sake darling, as my own. Now.
love, ! willtell you and 1 want you &c remem-
Der It-that is this-I am satisfied with eyerv-
thing you have done-and am placing all the
confidence in you man can. will
not DO anything TO make you feel Indifferent
TO me" He closes with ''No, love-calm
yourself AMI don't forget you have one who
does love you and who does not intend to
leave you so long as you are faithful and
honest, which ! hope will be forever"
Mrs. Russell says she believes the "cruel
and tnhuman charges which be makes are
''for The sole purpose Of ridding himself OF
her that he might form other alliances"
This statement, with his complaint of debt,
might help explain the alleged forgeries OF
Olberg's name.
Russell has failed to pay his wife alimony
this month and may wait for a rule again as
be did in October.