New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-05
PUT OATS IN HIS SHOES.
SUIT FOR SEPARATION FOLLOWED BE-
CAUSE HIS WIFE LAUGHED.
MRS STEWART SAID HER HUSBAND ILL
TREATED HER AND SLAPPED HER--HER
NEIGHBoRs TESTIFIED IN HER BEHALF
HER HUSBAND. WHO WON THE
CASE SAID 1T WAS ALL DUE
TO OUTSIDE INTER


Mrs Martha Louise Stewart Is . pretty youno
woman twenty-one years old. and yesterday her
domestic troubles attracted the attention OF large
audience in the equity term OF the Supreme Court
She was suing her husband for separation. ana all
her friends, particularly her female friends were
in the courtroom to testify in her behalf Mrs.
Stewart said that she was married to John Stewart
on August 81 last and that they separated IN
February Her husband is a clerk In the City Bank
and earns $1,000 a year. Mrs. Stewart said that
after their marriage she and her husband went to
board with her sister. Mrs. Mersch. at NO. l0
Ayrtle-ave Her sister had a confectionery store
there. and lived upstairs. Mrs Stewart SAID mat
her husbands I'll treatment began about two months
after their marriage and continued until they sepa-
rated after a quarrel in February On one occa-
sion he struck her on the hand. and at another time
on the face Justice Smith asked her about the de-
tails of the latter occurrence. and she replied:
IT was eating at the table. and my husband told
me ne going to put oats In his shoes to dry
them. had never heard Of such thing ana
laughed and told him not to be foolish. Then he
slapped my face / got UP and went into the front
room and said wasn't going to be treated that
way"
The witness said that at another time her husband
pulled a chair from under her and she nearly Tell
to the floor.
David Manning who appeared for the defendant,
asked Mrs Stewart IT, with the exception Of the mol
dents which she had described her married life had
not been happy Her eyes filled with tears ana
her lips trembled she told him that she had loved
her husband. but that she did not love him any
more She did not dare to live with him.
Mrs. Jennie Gibson. friend OF the Merschs. who
lives at No. 1,2O5 Myrte-ave.. called. She had
decided opinions that Mr.. Stewart was not good
enough to be the husband Of the plaintiff. She said
that she had been constant visitor at the house
Of the parties to the action On one occasion she
saw the defendant throw his wife on the bed and
thorh aru yifh Sha lnt
up she could hardly breathe She staggered to .
chair and there again he piled the bedclothes on
top OF her. The witness tried to make him STOP oue
she could She said that che saw Stewart strike
his wife, and he kicked her off the foot OF the
lounge
Were you not always meddng In the family
afairs?" asked Mr.. Manning in cross-examination.
NO. SIR" replied the witness.
Didn't Mr.. Stewart tell you to mind your own
business?"
NO. sir." Indignantly
And you wouldn't II he had. would your
"Your Honor, object" said Mr.. Donean. coun-
sci for the plaintiff.
The question ruled out. but every one laughed.
Mrs. Clara Hamper, who was employed by the
MIersches to do washing said that she saw Stewart
slap his wife In the face, pinch her cheeks ana
knock her around generally.
And shook my fist at him." continued the wit.
ness "and told him he would be sorry for It some
time"
Wasn't It all in fun" asked Mr.. Manning.
mo, sir. have been married twenty-six years.
and my husband never did that to me. II he did,
would take him by the collar and push him out"
There was another laugh at this.
The plaintiff rested her case, and the DEFENDANT
went on the stand and denied that he had ever Ill:
treated his wife He said 1t untrue that he had
beaten pinched her. and as for the sofa inc1ens,
they all foolIng together and that she fell on
was much the fault of the others as his The de.
PENDANT said that he and his wife would have lived
happily together II she had not been compelled TO
stay with her sister. 1t was the interference OF
others that had caused their separation
Justice Smith gave judgment for the defendant,
advising the husband and wife to try living togethse