The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-17
MR.. ROBERTS, LOVE LETTERS
Given as Evidence Of His Alleged
Breach Of Promise.
MRS. CARS0N'S LETTERS READ.

as 10 W hether or NOT mere WIS
a Condition Precedent 10 the Mar
riage-SOme Interesting and Anus
ing Testimony Prcsented-The In
dfcatiOns We're Last Night That
There Would BE "a MIstriaI.
The trial of the suit of Mrs. Charlotte
b. Carson of Auburn Ala, against Will
lam Roberts, Sr.. OF Naldosta, for $4,000
damages for breach Of promise, was con-
cluded in the United States court last
night about o'clock, and the jury was
instructed to return a sealed verdict.
Up to midnight the jury was still locked
up in the jury room, and it looked as IL
a mistrial would be The result. There are
many varying opinions with regard to the
case by those who heard the testimony
and, from the indications, it appears there
is some little difference in the minds Of
some of the jurymen. Many believed that
Mrs. Carson would get a verdict, while
others thought that there would be a mis-
trial, or that she would get very small
damages, as a vindicauon of her position
in the matter one of the things that her
counsel asked for.
The court room was pretty well crowd
ed all day. In the morning there were
eight or ten ladies' in the court room, all
of whom listened to the evidence with
much interest. The number of ladies in
creased during the afternoon session.
when the arguments We're in progress.
Some portions of the testimony caused
much laughter, and on several occasions
the court and the marshal had to rap
for order
The plaintiff was seated near her coun-
sci, and next to her sat Mr.. BivIns; her
son-in-law, who was much discussed
throughout the testimony and the argu-
ments as the gentleman who went to Val
dosta in her behalf, to look into the finan
cial and social standing of the ex-senator.
The plaintiff was dressed in black and
wore a light VEIL presenting a most digni-
fled and lady-lke appearance, which won
for her the sympathy of many of those
who went into the court room during the
trial
The defendant was seated near his coun-
sci, Hon. f. G. duBignon, and with him
appeared his son, now resident and susl-
ness man of Savannah. Though 6S years
old, as stated III court. he is younger in
appearance, and manly in his bearing.
Years have Whitened his locks somewhat,
but there is every indication that the
memories of youth still linger with him.
Mrs. Carson was placed on the stand
again after Mr.. Erwin had concluded
reading the letters from the defendant,
and said, speaking of the engagement,
that no date was set in February, but there
was in April, the 4th, this date being again
postponed as explained in, his letters.
Speaking of Mr. Roberts first visit to her
a
were very clear at that time, or in other
words he was matrimoniaLy inclined. on
his second visit she said she accepted him
and he wanted to have the marriage cere-
money performed at once. she spoke also
of his third visit and said:
During all this time. ] had no reason
whatever to doubt his sincerity. He GER
tainly impressed me with the belief in his
sincerity. l did not hear of his marriage
TO Miss Cook on May 10, until sometime
in June; and up to that time l made no Sc
cret of my engagement TO Mr.. Roberts, in
Cordele, and 1t had become generally
known. When 1 heard he was married
1t threw me in bad light, and was very
Notifying to me of course. So humilat-
ing was it to me that / determined not to
remain in Cordele, and so went to Au-
burn, Ala Prior to April 4, / sold my
household goods and gave up my house,
and notified my guests 1 could not keep
ations besides these, because l believed the
marriage was sure to take place. / went
10 Auburn, Ala, especially on account of
my son, who was going to school there.
Mrs. Carson said she was at present tax
ing a few college boarders at Auburn
Il am over As years Old" Mrs Carson
said in answer to questions from Mr. d1l-
BignOn on the cross examination. Il have
been widow about eight years. l moved
10 Cordele from Reynolds a few years ago
and opened a boarding house. have four
children.
Il had not made up my mind to leave
Cordele at the time | met Mr.. Roberts
l may have expressed a wish to do so,
10 better my condition. The first time
j ever heard Of Mr.. Roberts was in No
Nember, 1894, through some of his friends
ana the first heard VASE that he would
like TO call on me. Mrs Moore, who was
in my house, and who had visited Val
dosta, recommended Mr.. Roberts to me,
and Mr.. Lanier, a friend of his. recon-
mended me TO Mr. Roberts. was not
thinking Of contracting marriage at the
time Mrs. Moore gave me Mr.. Roberts
photograph; which was before / met HIM
Ladies can receive visits from gentlemen
without always having the idea of mar
riage."
''You thought, perhaps, of a platonic
friendship Mr.. duBignon asked.
1T may be-" Mrs. Carson said. "A
lady has that right, hasn't she?"
Certainly" Mr.. duBignon replied
Mrs. Carson said she had asked about
Mr.. Roberts standing financially and So
cially, because she looked on the matter
in a serious light. She did not wish to
receive visits from any one unless his
financial and social standing was all
right. she said, though. when first mem
toned to her, she regarded the matter
as a joke.
What did Mr. Roberts say to you when
he made this engagement" MIR. duBig-
non asked.
II cannot quote Mr.. Roberts language;
IL Is too unique" she said. He simply
expressed his admiration for me, aud
pressed me TO become his wife"
Mrs. Carson here identified the first let
ter she had ever received from the de-
PENDANT as well as a number Of letters
which she had written 20 Mr. Roberts.
which were shown to her by Mr.. du-
Blgnon.
did you write all Of these IN your own
hand?" Mr.. duBignon asked.
Yes, sir" she replied; 81 keep no secre-
tary"
Mrs Carson identinedR letter dated May
z, 1896, which she said Vas the last letter
she had written him.