The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-08
Mrs. Hunter Testifies
Against Husband.
SOME SHORT REroRTs.
Defendant Claims He is Too Feeble
10 Work Steadily.
CASE TRIED BEFORE A JURY.

Samuel A. Hunter had u hearing on his ap-
peal from the decision in the Sixth District
Court finding him guilty of non-support OF
his wife and three children, before jury in
Judge Bosworths court today. Mrs. Rachel
Hunter. tho wife OF the appellant, gave some
sharp testimony against him, all OF which
was specifically denied by Mr.. Hunter and
his mother
Mrs. Rachel Hunter testified that in 1895
her husband went down TO Maine to live, and
she only saw him once after that until she
brought the complaint against him for nom
support in July. 1897. The one interview
she had with him was sought by him in order
that he might induce her to seek divorce.
but sho refused to consider the idea OF n set
Element Of their troubles in divorce-court.
Then. she claims, he was very angry and
swore he would apply to the court and get
the custody OF his children and if the court
refused his request he would rot in jail re-
fore ho would further contribute TO the sup
port OF his family. Her husband bad told
her during. their courting days and after their
marriage that he was in business with his
father, and drcw Sls week. Most Of his
money, she claimed, her husband spent in a
disreputable way. For some years after 1894
she said she resided In house on Richard
son street owned by Mr.. Hunters father.
and her husbands mother had on one occa-
sion danced around the room after accusing
witness Of having stolen her whisky bottle,
and behaved in a manner so wild that ono of
the children took convulsions. This scene
came to an end, according to further state
msnts Of the witness. by demands thnt she ai
once seek divorce, but the junior Mrs.
Hunter remained obdurate, though she soon
after left the roof under which her mother
in-law was supreme.
RAIN CAME THROUGH.
On discrimination the witness said she
was married in 1885.
''Why did you leave East Providence ?"
sharply queried Colonel Van slycx, her hus-
bands lawyer.
"Reeause," as sharply replied Mrs. Hunter,
"that man Hooking dagRers at her husband)
lived six weeks at a hotel with a woman
while ! was recovering from my confne-
ment."
This, she said. was in lsa9 Soon after she
went to live on Richardson street, and her
husband was at home there with her until
is95, though he took his meals down street,
leaving her TO depend on the food furnished
by her mother-in-law or her own family.
'Then you had home" said Colonel Van
slyck.
Yes; there was DO pailor and the water
came through the roof on to my bed" was
the reply.
She left the house on Richardson street he
cause she feare for the lives Of herself and
children and because Mrs. Huntor, Sr., had
said the house had been sold. Mrs. Hunters s
mother, brother and sster-in-law testified
to furnishing her and her children with food
on different occasions.
Officer Baird testified that when he searched
Hunter On his arrest for non support be had
bank book showing he had s65 ON deposit in
the Manufacturers Bank and 1890 in cash.
The officer said that Hunter claimed the
money belonged to his father. Captain Cory
tested to visiting Hunters home and find
ing on two occasions very little food there.
G oIcnel Van Slvck announced that the de-
fence was that Hunter was a sick nan and
could do little work. and that his mother
had supported his family.
HUNTERS SIDE.
DIR. Eccleston was the first witness called
by the defendant. He testified that Hunter
had rheumatism and heart trouble and was
able TO do only the lightest kind OF work,
and that not constantly.