The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-03-17
AN INTERESTING CASE.
a Sensational Bill Filled in the Circuit
Clerks Office at Hampton.
THE TESTIMONY OF A FALSE WITNESS


nni'S W0rs-'Ehc parties TO Tho Sntt
Are Men OF the lIishcs. Stn,,dtnr.
Hampton. Va, March 16-(Special.)-
one OF the most Interesting cases ever
heard i'll the Circuit Court of this coun-
~ VIII probably be taken up at the term
which began here to-day Not long
ago Mr. w. II. Brldgeforth, for several
years 4 partner In the furniture business
with MI j. f. Brittlngham, the head of
tne large establishment known as the
IiailHton FURNITURE company, filed an
action against Mr.. Brittingham and Mr..
George w. AShby, also connected with
the mouse, TO recover damages to the
amount of $4,000. Another suit was
Drought about the same time to annul
the decree of divorce and alfmony grant
ed In 1894 in favor Of Mrs. Alice RIid 90.
torth. who sought separation from her
husband on the ground Of iniidelity and
cruei treatment. Until the unhappy
traln or circumstances which ended his
uohlestlc peace set in, MIR. l3rldgeforth's
name was never aSsocia ted with occur
| renceS OF Il compromising charactc
on the contrary. his marked interest in
every movement for the promotion of
pubic morals al his zeal in the field Of
reiiSious effort caused him to be looked
UP 10 as q man whose life might be
Safe.y measured by the most rigid rule
| OF rect!tude. In brief. in the eyes OF all
VINO knew him he was model man.
His connection with the furniture firm
began In 1880. and continued about four
years, and until the early months ar
| 1884 the relations existing between him
! anu Mr. Brittingham were or the most
cordial character I'M :.
THE WOMAN IN THE CASE.
The business OF the Hampton Furni-
ture company, under the com bined
management of NIessrs. Brittineham
" Bridgeforth, grew at wonderfully
rapid rate, 1t Is said. and the nnrlners-
soon found themselves jogging along al
a comfortnhle pace on the broad high
way 10 fortune. Unfortunately, how
ever. for the Junior member OF the firm.
mere appeared on the list Of patrons of
lne mouse the name Of Miss Gertrude
birch. Of Philadelphia, n lady It is said.
Oh attractive manners and more than
average accomplishments. In the bill
filed by Mrs Brilgeforth setting rorti,
the grounds upon which she considered
herself entitled to n legal separation.
she avcrred that an improper intimacy
existed between this young Indy and her
husband, anu In the proof OF her dccla-
ration produced the testimony Of MIR.
Erittinsham. Mr. George w Ashby and
man named j. II. Gammel. Mr.. Gam
neil positively testified that he had seen
NESS Sirch enter the store by night by
he rear door, and this, coupled with
Mr.. Hridgeforths acquaintance and oc-
caSional conversation with the lady led
the court TO conclude that the suit for
divorce was a just one. Among other
items of evidence against the Unhappy
husband was a letter said to have been
written by him to Miss Birch contain
ing language which, taken with the ,es-
tinCny of Witness Gammcll. added
greatly 10 the difficulties already piled
up In Bridgeforth's pathway. The lat
Ter did not deny seeing Miss Birch at the
store. but declared that they never met
there except in the presence Of employ
eeS or the house, who If they had been
so inclined, could easily have overheard
all that was said by them But Mr.
Bridgeforth'S explanation failed to eX-
pain to the satisfaction Of the court
and decree was ordered to be entered
granting to Mrs. Bridgeforth an abso-
Lutte divorce. alimony in the sum of So5
month and her counScl's fees. about
SOD subsequently, however, an agree
mcnt was reached by which Mrs.
brldgeiorth accepted a sum In gross
amounting to $500, thus freeing her la te
husband from further trouble in the
matter Of payments.
BLAN1ES MIR BRITTINGHAA1,
III the lengthy bill filed by Mr.. Bridge
fonh III the Circuit Clerks office here
he declares his belief that Mr.. I3ritting-
ham Isl the author Of all Of his woes
'Ihe purpose OF the latter was to Sc
cure possession of his interest in the
furniture company and the building in
which they transacted business for n
sum very much below the actual value
Of the property. On one occasion. Mr.
BridGeforth says. he went TO Nottnway
county, Va, to secure the contract for
supplying large school building with
furniture. While there Mr. Brittingham
called upon him and advised him not 10
return to Hampton, lntimating that he
could not easily recover from his fall
and that his presence in the store would
drive away many good customers. Mr..
Brdgeforth says chat he tried to think
otherwise. but his state OF mind was
such at the time that he finally con-
cuded to leave Hampton. still hoping
that the future would reveal The means
by which he could clear his name Of
the stain cast upon 1t by the adverse
decision of the court. After advising
him as to the course he should pursue
Mr.. Bridgeforth says that Mr.. Brtting-
ham proposed to purchase his interest in
the business and real estate for which
he offered $1,000. As his hopes for the
future had been blasted he reluctantly
consented to accept the proposition. al
belt he knew that the property he was
about to transfer was worth much more
than the sum offered for 1t. This fact
he alleges. was afterward shown by an
invoice OF the goods OF the furniture
company and an appraiscment OF the
sr,oJ a. 10 no tIEn 81