The sun., 1898-02-25
A HUSBANDS LARGE CLAIM COMMISSION MERCHANTS.
WE. Prettyman Wants Damages
Amounting to $4,000.
SENSATIONAL CASE On TRIAL
Edwin Il. Williamson Charged With
Alternating IL Wifr'S Affection.
The Test iInony SO Far Adj
duccd in Superior COlr.

William +. Plcttyman claims $50, 600
Of Edwin T. Williamson for the latter $
alleged alliiation of his (Prrttyman's)
wife's affections.
The suit came up for trial in the Supc-
rior Court, Wilmington, yesterday moril-
ing, and during the day some sensational
features were introduced. James W.
Ponder and Walter IL. Hayes represented
the plaintiff, and Peter l.. Cooper, Jr,
the defendant.
This being the first case Of the kind
ever tried in this court, much interest is
being manifested.
The court room was crowded during
both morning and afternoon. Mrs.
Prttyman and her children were present
and manifested much interest in the
ease. The children often cast longing
and affcctionate glanccs at their father,
who sat only few feet from them. Sew
cral times during yesterdays tral tears
rushed to the eyes OF the broken hearted
plaintiff.
In drawing the jury there were two
challenges made. The jury WAS as fol-
lows:
Walter GIinn, Samuel Frizzell, ST.,
Brint,n Evans, Cyrus f. Monsley,
Obadiah c, Vincent James Barr, Will
liam 5. Lennon, james +. Moore,
Thomas Kennedy, Jacob $. Cochran
William Aron and j. William Barnett.
Mr. Ponder read two Of the dcclara-
tons in the case which set forth the
principal points to be proven, declaring
t at Williamson had aIienated the
affections Of Mrs. Prtttyman, so that
the plaintiff lost her society and the
society OF his children.
The pleas of the defendant, we're not
guilty, and a special plea showing that
the General Assembly had granted Mrs.
Prttyman divorce from her husband.
MIR. Ponder in opening to the jury
gave a sketch of the married life Of Mr..
and Mrs. Prettyman, and alleged that
Mr.. Williamson had taken place in
the wife's affections. From calling
upon the wife once week he became
visitor every day, and finally all day.
In the course of his speech Mr.. Ponder
said that Mr.. and Mrs Pettyman had
lived together happily, with however
such Misunderstanding, as he was
told, occur among all married couples.
Much laughter ensued.
The first witness called was the Rev.
Richard Humphry, ID. d., who had per-
formed the ceremony of inatrimony be.
tween Mr.. and Mrs. Prcttyman and
when shown the certificate he said he
had issued it when he was pastor OF
Mariners Bethel NJ. f. Church, Phia-
iclphia, did not remember the contract
ing parties in said case, az he had
married 200 couples during his stay as
pastor of that church. Mr. Prpttyman,
The plaintiff, was next sworn. Mr.. Hayes
asked him when he married this Mary
l.. Wilson. He answered january 3lst,
lSS7' and after having considerable
imc spent in efforts to refresh his
he said "Oh 1877" The ccrtif-
ate was offered in evidence. FIc then
'eIated his married LIES residences,
irst, Angora; second, Sussex county, and
,hird, and last in this city, at No. S27
md S2G Orange street in the first Orange
street house they resided from 1883 to
1892.
Williamson owned the S27 residence,
md according to Prettyman's testimony
ne made frequent visits for the purpose
If collecting rents.
When they moved from No. So7 to
'2G, Williamson removed from the
western part OF town to No. S27. Then
ne continued to cal at No. S28. and
inally in May, 1894, Prettyman left his
lom", because, as he said. ed Will
iamson had got her affections" lie
frequently saw Williamson around his
louse. After Prcttyman left, his cloth
ny was thrown out the window. Since
hat time they had not lived together.
lie went to board on Twcnty-second
trtet. While there Williamson called
N him. AS they walked in town
"gcther, Williamson asked him il he
lid not want to 60 back home again,
nd he said he did not. Williamson
old him he could have No. S27
orange street and all that was in it.
'laintiff said he was not living in that
Why.
On CT ,ss-e, animation Mr. Cooper
howed that Mrs. l'rcltyman provucd
he capital for starting Mr.. Prcttyman
!, the grocery business in Philadelphia.
lie tried to show that the relations be-
Ween husband and wife were strained
arly in their married lite
1t was brought out that Mrs. Pretty.
IAN worked Tor Mrs. Williamson, the
mother who was dccltpit,
'hen the families lived opposite to each
thcr on Orange street.
Asked ii he had eaten THANKSGIVING
inner with Mr.. Williamson and his
,other, he said that he was at William
ms that day and they invited him to
at dinner, which he did.
Mr.. Williamson remarked that Mrs,
rctlyinan made good pies, but witness
lid in his testimony that she bought
10 pies and sold them for less than She
aid ior them.
Mr.. Preltynlan admitted thai he never
I'D anything to Mr.. Williamson as to
is frequent visits, declaring that it ,
ould have been no use.
In reply to Il question as towhy lie ,lc. |
ytd Bringing the suit, Tho allegations
)ng back to 1894, the witness said: II ,
as hurt and pierced to the heart for the
,nciit Of them poor children who 81,
ere" t
lie denied THAT he asked Williamson ,
: anybody elsc to watch his wife, "'"J t
When the Court recunvened in the af. 4
fNx,..1 u 1t-,.