Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-08-28
BATHS SENSATION.
The Roberts VS.. Roberts Suit
for Custody of Children.
The Petitioner Is Called in Court as
Mrs. John 0. Patten.
Testimony Is interesting Gross Examination
May Be More So.

Dr. Percy W. Roberts seeks to recover
the iull custody of their twin daugh-
tcis, was commenced in hearing be-
fore Judge w. T. Whitehouse, this af-
ternoon. promises to last several days
and afford all the sensations and ex-
element needed for one county in one
week. The case was rot reached until
about 3 o'clock this afternoon, but from
that time till adjournment it was full
of interest and sensation.
The petitioner is named as Mrs Irene
E. Roberts, and she is represented by
Robert 4. Whitehouse of Portland, and
Frank T.. Southard of Bath. Dr. Percy
w. Roberts is represented by John
Scott of Bath, and Hon. w. II. Newell
of, Lewiston. The court room was
crowded all day. Mrs. Patten, mother
fo John Q. Patten, Mrs Y. w. Hyde
ana Miss iImtaa Reed were present
with the petitioners party and were
sworn and will testify.
Mr.. Whitehouse opened the case, de
failing all the circumstances from the
divorce granted the Roberts in April,
to the present time. He claimed that
the twin daughters were to be equally
in the custody of father ana mother.
six months of each year, and that in
May last, that the mother was TO have
them for two weeks This arrange
ment, he claims. has been Violated in
both instances.
DR.. Roberts was also to pay Mrs
Roberts the sum of $50 Tor trial ex-
penses, but all of that amount has not
been paid. She claims that She has nos
mad The children as agreed, and that
the doctor is financially Embarrassed
ANA unable to properly provide fos
them ON the other hand il is claimed
that she is able to care for them ana
being a highly cultured and refined
woman could properly attend TO their
education,
Mr. Whitehouse called ON Counsel
Scott 10 verify his Statement rs to the
agreement about the children's care
and custody, and he admitted that such
was made but was not Knowing as 10
whether it had been fully kept
After touching on other points of the
case at length Mr.. Whitehouse sprung
the first sensation Of The case 10y say
ing:
we will introduce as our first wiz
ness, The petitioner in this case, Mrs.
john O. Patten."
And you may judge Of the surprise 1i
The audience when they bcheid Mrs.
Roberts walk into the court, leaning o.
the arm of John O Patten.
The facts in the case are said to be
that after Mrs. Fatten was granted
divorce from Mr. john O. Patten. last
Monday, the latter lost no time. but
was married to Mrs. Roberts in New
Hampshire on Tuesday.
Mrs John 0. 0}o9erts) Patten says
she is y years O. age but looks NOT
more than -. She was modestly
dressed and made a good appearance.
She said she was born in 1870 and mar-
ried Dl. Roberts in 1891 The twins
were born in 1892. She me- the doctor
in san Francisco ana became engaged
to him, but, some time after, became
81 atisfied that he was not The man for
her husband and tried to break the en-
gagement but things were smoothed
over ana they We're married.
Roberts was then a reporter. When
he was starting in his medical studies
She coached HIM in Latin. In 1891.
after his graduation from the medical
college, they moved To Bath. l5efor.
that time he had always 4reatcd her
kindly ana lovingly ana she look
forward With great pleasure to going
to Bath. But the doctor and he
mother did not agree on many points
ard she was Obliged TO tell her mother
hat she could not go to Bah wita
them.
Soon after settling in Bath she no.
ticed that her husband seemed to lose
part OF his affection ior her for n"
known reason. Mrs. Roberts here metz
TONED that a certain lady came u
Bath to visit and that Dr. Roberts paid
her much attention There might have
been nothing wrong at all in these at
tentions but they irritateI her and shs
believed that she was losing her hus-
bands love. Snc said that when this
lady was around, she was simply no!
IN it,"
50 wrought up over the situation did
See become, that sine once found nei
self out walking toward the Kennebea
river. but or coming to her senses an
thinking of her children she retrace1
her steps homeward without doing in
jury 10 herself.
she said that it seemed to her that
The doctor liked to have her go about
in society to form acqualntances that
might help him in his practice. She
thus met Mrs. John O.. Patten, ard
ffally met Mr.. Patten. she ana MIS-
Patten had many tastes IN common
ara pursued some studies together
She liked Mr. Patten and the acqualn-
tance ripened into friendship and
finally into something stronger.
s,he enjoyed this but soon saw that
she was on dangerous ground and went
to her husband about it, asking II she
should continue her acquaintance and
if ii was proper. He said there was
nothing wrong in it, to never nina
any idle talk. but to be careful.
So the matter went on. and the inti-
macy with Mr.. Patten grew. She ad-