Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-30
FULL OF SURPRISES.
Continued from page -


man. The examination of Mrs. Patten
closed at 1880, she having been on the
stand four hours.
Hon. John Q. Patten next took the
stand He began by stating that lie
met Mrs. Roberts in the winter of 1885
and Sc at theosophical lecture
DIR. Roberts then paid her as much
attent lion as some husbands do their
wives She seemed neglected and uE-
happy. Met her that winter quite fra
quently at dances, gradually became
more interested in her My attention
to her became marked; the doctor
seemed to rather enjoy it. He asked
me down TO his house that winter. Was
first invited by telephone at my office
from his home. Was surprised at In.
invitation; asked him if he wanted to
see me personally. His reply was mo.
but sOmeb body else wishes to see you.
Went 10 the house, found the doctor
gone: Mrs. Roberts was there alone.
After the Small Point episode the
witness said he told the doctor that his
wife had been faithful to him, and his
reply was he was glad of it.
II told him | was going away, and
did so shortly after, to the West The
doctor and myself were on friendly
terms then. 1t was in May. / returned
in June. Had no letters from Mrs
Roberts in that period 1t was some
weeks after my return that | had any
communication With her. Afterward
it was quite often. We We're that fail
thrown together at private parties
There was a divorce. On my return |
called upon the doctor and asked If
there was anything | could do to pre-
vent him from taking such a step. and
his reply was No soon after | got j
bill from him for $780, which | promptly
paid.
In few days a notice was served
en- me from the doctors attorney that
suit was to be brought against me
| for alternating his wife's affections and
| the damages to be claimed would be
| $4,000. That was followed by state
ment that the doctor had concluded to
withdraw his claim for damages. The
next day Roberts attorney said he
would settle for $4,000 Finally, after
consulting my counsel. there was a
settlement of the claim by the payment
of $500
| The receipt for that amout in settle
of the doctors attorney, are signed by
| DR.. Roberts and Attorney Scott as wit
ness, was presented as evidence and
| admitted
| Mr.. Patten further testified:
Saw Mrs. Roberts in West Newton
several times after my return from the
south. After her divorce last April saw
her quite frequently at the West New
! ton street boarding house in the even
| ing; sometimes late. Took her to
promenade concerts and suppers. and
several times went canoeing on Charles
| river"
On cross-examination the witness
said:
Week before going to Small Point
we had quite frequent correspondence.
and may have made appointments"
What did you mean by the old
! basis in the letter that you wrote to
Mrs. Roberts," asked counsel.
| Witness was then shown the letter
and he studied the contents some time.
| Finally he said:
An admission that we loved each
other At Small Point we agreed that
our relations must cease. We went
cut together two or three times for sew
! eral hours; went to take long walks.
That excited unfavorable comment. and
! then we agreed there should be some
| explanations to our families"
Were you visiting her with the in
| tcntiou of making love to herr"
| Certainly did make love. In August
| had made up my mind to marry her.
and so told her. | think she consented
Two or three days before marriage. l
gave her money for personal expenses.
I did not think it improper to hug and
kiss her and put my arms around her.
| When | said we would run away we in
tended it would be together as man
and wife, without the Formally of
marriage ! did not threaten to shoot
the doctor in a conversation with him
at his office, when an effort was made
to effect a reconciliation.
Il am willing to take and support
these children. My income is $4,000 a
year at least
Has not your income become much
depleted in the last 10 years." asyed
the doctors counsel.
Yes, some"
did you not have 100000 or 100000
left you by inheritance?'
Il decline to answer
Has not three-quarters Of it gomez"
Il decline to state"
Rev. George H. Dale testified:
Saw Mrs. Roberts last winter and
acted as her spiritual adviser Made
fruitless efforts to effect a reconcilia-
ton by having several talks with her"
on cross-examination witness said he
never advised Roberts to take her back
Mrs. Thomas w. Hyde testified to
her acquaintance with the Robertses
and said that the doctor appeared very
Indifferent toward the children.
Miss Emma Reed testified that Mrs.
Roberts was well qualified to bring up
The children and that she had noticed
that the doctor was Indifferent toward
them. She had seen the doctor and
Mrs. Hall on a sofa together.
At court adjourned till $50 Monday.