The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-05


Stephen H. olin, as referee, fled a report In
the Supreme Court yesterday recommending
that Frances e. Patterson receive q decree Of
separation against Charles @. Patterson with
$25 q week permanent alimony. After fol-
lowing the ups and downs Of Patterson, who
has lived In poverty and afluence, and who does
not appear now to lack the comforts of life. al
though he owes $3.50. 900. the referee says that
1t was difficult to determine what a man in his
condition should DO compelled to pay a wife.
Patterson had large mining interests when
he married the plaintiff In 1867. Ho was then
82 years old, and he met her while boarding in
this city. She was q widow and had n son,
Charles Starr, who is now married and in bust
ness in Boston. After the marriage they lived
at the Westminster Hotel and then moved to
Ionkers. A coal mine in which Patterson was
largely interested collapsed In 1872 and he was
left in financial straits. He got q place as
mine superintendent at Copake at $1,000 q
year. and he went there to live with his wife,
two children. and his stopson. Tho mine closed
down and he was again in a hard way.
He left his family at Copake, and borrow
ing $40 on q watch went to Newburyport.
There no drifted Mo railroad contracting.
He went through bankruptcy proceedings, but
prospecting in his new venture he paid of many
Of his old debts. although the law had freed him
ITOm uiem. 6e sent MS FAMILY TO Europe Id
his wife's return In 1877 he bought a house in
Commonwealth avenue, Boston. which he fur.
a aaSfh t Upward s{fs Of k Rss5y5HS ' II ~ hs7s debts he was
Speculation got him in trouble again In 1886,
and he lost about all he had. including the Bos-
ton house. but his creditors permitted the fam.
inty, to remain there a year or two. In 1887 he
Sandy. Hook to a syndicate that intended to
turn 1t into a pleasure resort He was in Wash
lost much money nor sH' He returned to this this city city in
1889 and has lived apart from his wife since
1890 in apartments at the Plaza Hotel.
money out Of arc the Findiay, IT. Wayne and
Western Railroad and the Connection Valley
eGniTpnGtoI He o. get ct into TuDs driltlesg aI}rt .h aoS Mt .le
ern Railroad in Kansas, which he said he was
Obliged to sell to Jay Gould in 1888 at a great
allowance to his wife until July, 1885. when
propositions, for an absolute divorce fell
through. She would not consent to an absolute
mined to pay no further allowance, but to use
the same. for his ~sojourn elsewhere and pro
ceedings.'' She then brought an action for sepa,
ed to be paid in an order obtained By her In the
action In December, 1885,, he was sent to
Ludlow Street Jail. He remained there three
Since 1890 Patterson has occupied n suite Of
three rooms at the Plaza Hotel, for which he
more. He has an office, but says that he does
showed, that during the month, four days OF
he drew ss,5s3.32 from the Bank. His son,
Edwin O. Patterson, assists him In his bushes:
Sf Esi of GeS s9nsF g. sails snd bis oi d Ia, atsy. is T tst
referee says:
"on ali the evidence, bearing in mind the
precarious nature Of the defendant's income
I think that Justice will be done by fixing The
alimony at $25 a week"