The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-12-05
Mr.. ALIENS ORDEAL
Severe Cross Examination
in the Trial in Newark
Chancery Court Yes
terday.
CAUSE OF THE DEsERTIoN
Mrs. Allen contradicts Her Hus-
band and Tells a Remarkable
Story of Her Married
CAUSE OF THE DEsERTIoN
Special to The Jsrscu Citp Ne,sA

bers here, in the trial of the divorce sui
which his wife, Mrs. Anna Sloan Allen
has brought against him, and the hearing
OF which was exclusively reported II
yesterdays Jersey City News He was
subjected to a searching cross-examina
tion by Counsellor Richard V. Lindabury
as to the reason why he deserted his wife
and his refusal to support her. The CUES
tions were of such pointed and direct
character that Mr.. Allen protested with
warmth to Vice Chancellor Stevens. be-
fore whom the trial took place.
1 don't think it necessary, your Hon
or that I should be asked about these
things (referring to the relations between
him and his adopted sister,. / don't want
to attack this woman glancing at his
wife
You must answer the questions" re-
piled the Vice Chancellor, and Mr.. Lin
dabury sarcastically said
of course you don't want to attack
her; but we are attacking you
In his previous testimony the pastor
said that he refused to give his wife
the key of the Brooklyn house during his
absence on vacation, and Mrs Allen $
counsel wanted to know why The an
swer given was that he couldn't trust
her.
''why?' inquired Mr.. Lindabury, suave-
ly.
Now. don't want to attack that wom-
an" pleaded Mr.. Allen; but the Court
ordered him to answer the question, which
he was just about to do, when Mrs. Allen
rose from her seat in the rear of the
room and taking chair near her coun-
sci and few feet from her husband,
looked him straight in the face.
Because" said Mr.. Allen, avoiding his
wife's glances, Il found her deceitful and
untruthful"
The expression on Mrs. Allen,s face at
this reply was indescribable. Scorn. dis
gust, amazement and indignation were
fused in one angry look She rose partly
from her chair, but warning look from
her counsel restrained her. Mr.. Linda
bury then slowly asked Mr. Allen was
there any other reason why he refused
to give. her the key
4esX replied Mr.. Allen .sbecause
.ssFe5*z she would Fanasnage- through nv
16FaWers 6a and destroy things IA the
Destroy what things?'' quickly asked
Well. clothing" said the pastor after a
..Whose?' asked counsel sharply.
MY ilrst wffes, who is in Heaven
SAID the pastor, solemnly and the Iadies
sLnllled sL ana whispered to each other. To
tne next question as TO his visits to his
wife IN Elizabeth, Mr.. Aliens memory
rdlled him again, and Mr. Lindabury sar-
odd odsdeicany tid remarked that it was extremely
on some points and blank on Others
ny dld you go out to Elizabeth and
get from your wife the paper saying she
olo NOT peileve you to be a bad man ?''
suddenly asked the Vice Chancellor
To protect my reputation. 50 that if
ever was assailed again could show
my accusers this paper replied Mr.. AL
Did you tell Mrs. Allen, when you got
her to sign that paper, that you had made
the announcement to your church that
s you had resolved to separate yourself
from your wffe2'' asked Mr.. Lindabury
Il don't remember . was the reply.
Did you tell Mrs. Allen then that your
church members had said you must have
reconciliation wftn her or resign from
your pulpit?" said Mr.. Lindabury in a
puFring tone.
reply.
"You deliberately elected to resign
rather than live with her?"
f.Yes," firmly replied the pastor.
The next question put in show and i'm
pressive manner by Mr.. Lindabury. pro
duced profound sensation in court, and
the audience in the rear seats looked at
one another in amazernent. The question
was this
Now. Pastor Allen, is it not true that
the real reason why you went out to
paper was because the people in your
church and the neighborhood had charged
you with improper relations with a wom-
an or women and You wanted your wife
to dispute them?"
"a portion of that is true" said the pas
tor In low tone, after a painfully long
interval
And didn't you extract that paper from
your wife by holding out to her a recon
ciliation2' said the lawyer, raising his
voice.
Il believe I did say something about
onciliation," replied Mr.. Allen.
Yet after you parted affectiopately
from her, leaving her under that belief
you Immediately afterwards stated to
your church that you would never live
with her?" coldly asked the lawyer
Mr. Allen didn't reply, and his counsel
opposed the question, contending that it
was improper. Having won this temporary
victory, Mr.. Parker, Mr.. Aliens lawyer
probed a hornets nest when in trying to
smoother out the admissions previously
made he asked Mr.. Allen if 1t wasn't a
fact that his wife had spread false runners
was to induce her to deny categorically
these statements.
Mr.. Lindabury at once jumped up and
quickly asked
ing stories about your character
Several people" answered Mr.. Alien
Name theTn?0 said the lawyer.
well, there was the Rev. Dr. Libby
but he's dead replied Mr. Allen.
Give US some living ones?' laughingly
replied Mr.. Lindabury.
REV. DR.. BurIinghame' ventured Mr..
Allen.
Where is hep asked the lawyer with
a mock curious air
II don't know calmly replied the de-
Who else told your was the next
question.
7 can't recollect
No, / suppose not" returned Mr.. Linda
bury, and the pastor left the stand
Mrs. Allen at this point was recalled
BY Mr. Lindabury to contradict her hus-
band on his statement that she had agreed
to separate and she emphatioally stated
that what her husband f4td said was en-
tirely untrue. At no time she said. had
she ever agreed to separate Mrs Allen
also said that her husband never at any
time told her what he had said to his
church members. This denial turned all
eyes on the minister, who critically
studied the pattern of the carpet at his
feet
Your husband went on his knees to
you and asked for your forgiveness when
ne came to you to sign that paper?v
asked Mr.. dndabury Of Mrs. Allen
ife did, and he told me we would both
De happy yet, she repliHd
vice Chancellor Stevens snterposed here