The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-04-11
The RACK
His Defense in the Famous
Suit for SANDER and
False Imprisonment.
SAYS IT WAS A MOCK MARRIAGE
Explains His Conduct by Saying
He Did 1t to Protect
Wife No. 2.

Ex-Judge Hoffman summed up for the
defendant today in the Hamilton-Atwell.
Atwell suit for $50,0oo.
Anyone who saw DR.. Atwell IN the
witness stand yesterday would say, as
did Judge Hoffman, "a mar having done
certain things under a given set of cir
c~umstances" could not tell what ne had
done. DR.. Arwell yesterday was an
object of pity to all who heard his testd-
mony, given under the sharp cross-ex-
animation of Counsellor Allan MeDer-
mott. He was piled with questions for
five hours. and the mental strain he was
undergoing was plainly visible on his
drawn features. Many times he turned
appealingly to His Honor as if in pro-
test. He became muddled when ques-
toned as to his reasons for committing
certain acts, and e-ontradicted his own
statements continually.
He married Mrs. Hamilton under a
fictitious name. he said, because she had
appealed to his c%hivalry. He went
through the ceremony on her promise
that she would never betray to anyone
that it was he who did it. She came to
him with a story about s~candalous re-
ports which were circulated about her.
His name was connected with hers. Her
parents had spurned her on account of
the reports. If she could only show them
a marriage certificate it would satisfy
them, 1t mattered not what name the
certificate contained, and they would
again receive her beneath the paternal
roof. He weakly agreed to her PROPOSE
ton that he pose as the groom in a
burlesque marriage, performed solely for
the purpose of hoodwinking her parents.
AWKWARD QUESTIONS.
How did you think your marriage
with her would protect her if she kept
your confidence? ?" asked Mr.. McDermott.
The answer given by the defendant
was repeated by him many times dur
ing the cross-examination.
II didn nave time to reason this out,
Mr.. Counsellor. My mind was continu-
ally on my work. I never thought of this
affair except when compelled to by her
demands"
He continued that he was kept in con-
tinual terror by Mrs. Hamilton and ac-
coded to her demands to keep her from
interfering with his family and business
relations.
delicate condition. Mrs. Hamilton threat
ened to inform his wife of the scan
QalOuS reports circulated ABOUT MIN, uH-
less he did as she demanded. He was
willing to do anything to keep these
things from his wife at hat time.
Given W nen Mrs nsAf Hamilton nIG after mis-" his marriage
to her he a~nswered:-"In the neighbour
hood of $1,000"
Did you give her this because yo9
her fathers house: and say unpleasant
things about you?" queried Mr.. McDer-
mott
/ realized my position, that I was mar
RED to her."
AS she was to use the certificate so
that she could return. to her fathers
house after the marriage, why didn't
.T did many times
The cross examination was all on the
letters which passed between Mrs. Ham
iiton and the defendant. also the aneny-
Counsel for the defence, in offering the
letters in evidence, SAID that
they would produce EVIDENCE to prove
ton. Mr.. McDermott, on the cross-ex-
animation of DR.. Atwell, tried to get
him to admit that he wrote ire letters
Himself. The defendant admitted that
he bought a wedding ring three. days
h@fore the ceremony was performed Mr..
AieDermott dwelt at great length On this
a sign that the doctor believed the cere,
mony to be a binding one. Dr.. AtweN
explained his reason for procuring the
# thought that a ring was necessary
in the Episcopal service, and ] secured
#, thar there might be no hitch in the
proceedings"
In reply to a question as to whether
he had not spent a night in a Brooklyn
b clearinghouse with Mrs. Hamilton, the
{ efendant replied
II spent part Of one night there, when
she locked me in and would not let me
go home. When I attempted to go she
the door, and threatened to scream
If I attempted to get out.
Did YOU ever say to Mrs. Hamilton.
Z win find men and women to lie you
nyt?'" was asked.
mo, sir; 1 did not"
MUSTN'T JOLLY SOLOMON.
en rad at sos oseioek, and Mrs. Apweii
(fhe real one) was put on the stand.
she testified that she has never let
described the scene in the doctors office.
IN which Mrs Hamilton figured as the
central figure, and denied that anyone
not subjected to cross-examination.
Solomon S. Middleton. Mrs. Atwef's
faltherr, testified to the scene in Senator
hut little from that of Senator DAILY.
He was submitted to rather a severe
cross-exanqinatlon, and grew testy; When
planned that the Counsellor was Jolly
Ing him. and that he wouldn't stand It.
He hadn't the slightest prejudice against
the plaintiff and had never doubted the
Defendant. Arthur H. Middleton, brother
of Mrs. AtweIi, testified to facts already
addgced.
DIR. Atwell and Mrs. Hamilton were re-
called to settle one or two minor points.
and then the defence rested.
This morning was consumed in sum-
ming UP. Ex-Judge Hoffman spoke for
the defence and Mr.. McDermott for the
plaintiff.
BURGLARY TN GRBBNVILLE