The Portland daily press., 1897-08-28
ANOTHER CHAPTER
In the Sensational Bath Divorce
Case.
MRS. PATTEN ENDEAVORING TO
OBTAIN HER CHILDREN.

She Alleges In Her Petition to the Court
That DIR. Roberts, Formerly Her hus-
band, Has Not Carried Out His Agree
ment and Is Not Caring For Her Chill.
dren Properly.
ESPECIAL TO THE PREssJ
Bath, August 27.-The hearing on the
petition of Roberts VS.. Roberts was be-
gun at the afternoon session Of court.
This is case in which Mrs. John O.
Patten, the divorced wife of Percy E.
Roberts, is endeavoring to obtain sole
custody of her minor children.
Robert T. Whitehouse of Portland and
Frank E. Southland of Bath, appeared for
the petitioner and ex-Mayor W. II. Newell
of Lewiston and John Scott of Bath for
DR.. Percy e. Roberts.
The case was opened by Mr.. White
house. who read the petition in which the
following facts were set forth: At the
time Of divorce an agreement was entered
into whereby DR.. Roberts was to pay the
petitioner the sum of $3.50 Cor her mainte-
nance, allow her to have the care of the
children half of the time, and for two
weeks'visi in May. AS only 500 had:been
paid and the other part of the agreement
not kept, while the mother was not
allowed to see her children, the petition
er prayed for the sole custody of said
children
Mr.. Whitehouse in outlining his case
stated that they would show that DR..
Roberts home was not proper place for
the children to be brought up in. That
they were left In the care of an ignorant
and unlettered servant girl, and could not
receive proper attention and instruction
If left there. That their mother who has
always had the care Of them should have
sole custody of them now.
i The first witness was Mrs. John o.
Patten, the lady from whom DR.. Percy
E. Roberts obtained divorce last April.
The main points of her testimony were
as follows: Present residence Melrose,
Mass. Married to John o. Patten last
o.
1870. Had good education, attending
public schools. Howard s seminary at
West Bridgewater, and other institutions
of learning. Proficient In languages
Especially Latin which studied four
years. Assisted my husband in his Latin
studies when preparing for medical COL
lege. Went West when still young and
| f1r,o Ivy 70 COY, T
engaged to Percy Roberts. Later saw
some traits in his character I did not like
and wished to break engagement 1t was
not done, however, and married him in
May, 1891. He went to Brooklyn, N. Y, to
study. came to Boston. Was at Massa-
chusetts General hospital during birth OF
twins, and five weeks thereafter. Had
very severe time. Not expected to live.
Next two years lived in Dorchester and
had whole care of children. Came to Bath
in June, 1894, Doctor having just gradu-
ated. Expected to have happy home here.
Short time after settling here my hus-
band became very intimate with a Mrs.
Hall, who was stopping in the neighbor-
hood. He neglected me and gave her near
ly his whole attention. Yf AS things went
on in this direction got very discouraged
and distressed, and one night started out
for Kennebec river, but about half way
there came to my senses and returned
home. Mrs. Hall soon after left the city.
Mrs. Lucy Patten, wife of John o..
and myself became interested in some
lectures in theosophy, and we read much
together. In this way met her husband.
Saw him occasionally in society, and in
the spring attended series of dances
where I met him more often. Would at
tend dances with my husband who would
dance one dance with me then leave me
to shift for myself. Became very friendly
with Mr.. Patten. Husband seemed bent
on having a good time himself SO thought
would try to do the same.
| Found that my friendship with Mr..
Patten was getting dangerous and spoke
to my husband about it. He seemed to
like the idea instead of objeoting to it,
| Said it would help him 3 in his practice.
Said he was going to enjoy himself: /
had better do the same.uioa Went to him
again later on and asked for more of his
attention and sympathy with same result
Mr. Patten and myself then began to
write letters to each other. When alone
our acts showed most ardent and fervent
devotion. Ride to Gurnet house planned.
Went out with my husband. Arriving there
went to walk with Mr.. Patten. When
ready to return my husband
said Mrs. Larrabee was going
home with him and could
go with Mr.. Patten. Things went on this
way until we realized that we must either
unto our lives or have a final separation,
SO in May Mr.. Patten planned to GO
South. Our parting was exceedingly
affectionate, and while it must have been
very improper, was not in any way i'm
moral. l explained the situation to my hus
band and tried to effect reconciliati on,
but to no purpose. He said for me not to
mind about his feelings, that l had
deceived Him II 1o7,r and ha hnd uivey,