The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-18

For twenty-four years she was a
model wife, but since my affection she
has become very much changed"
This was the somewhat pathetic
statement made by James Arnold when
he was on the stand yesterday in Judge
Hiies' court room to defend a suit for
divorce brought by his wife, Lena Ar
mold.
The Arnoids are from Murray For
rs years they have vOyaged together OH
the matrimonial sea. Some time ago
the wife brought divorce proceedings
against her aged spouse, alleging fail
ure to provide and habitual drunken
ness. This charge James denied and in
a cross-complaint set up that his wife
drank a great deal; in fact, she might
be termed an habitual drunkard her
self.
The case first came up for hearing on
the 9th of this month, but Arnold failed
TO show up on account of i'll health, and
a postponement was secured until he
could put in an appearance. Yesterday
he dragged himself into the room and
took seat alongside OF Judge Lochrie.
his attorney. Attorney Van Colt APP
peared for Mrs. Arnold.
Mr.. Arnold was first called. He is
well advanced in years and suffers from
muscular rheumatism. So it was with
difficulty he got to the witness stand.
Once there he told pathetic tale of
how his wife was seeking TO get rid of
him because affiictiOn had totally inca
pacitated him from the performance of
physical labor. He denied absolutely
That he was or ever had been in the
habit Of getting drunk, though at times
he said he imbibed liquor to alleviate
pain.
To her prayers that she be allowed
the custody of their six children, he
implored of the court not to grant it,
as she was not a fit person to have
charge of the children.
OUT FOR A GOOD TIME
"Of late" he said, she has been in
the habit of staying out late at nights
and associating with bad characters,
men and women. When l demonstrated
with her, she told me she was out for
a good time. and had it."
For twenty -four years." he said,
meditatively, she was a model wife.
but since my aff1iction she has become
very much changed
Upon being .cross-eXanined he stated
that he had not earned Il dollar during
the present year. He had been work
ing around a saloon, but got paid in
medicine
"Have you seen your wife frequently
of late?" queried the attorney.
Yes, 1 saw her one night go home
from a party in company with a man
What were you doing?" came the
next query.
Watching her" was the prompt re-
Spouse.
Were you suspicious Of herr"
of course: I had reasons to. be-
Mr.: Arnold hen cited a good many in
stances When he said his Wife was
drunk One time she was so overcome
from intoXicants that she had to stay
TWO days in bed to sober her up.
PRETTY GOOD SORT OF FELLOW
William A Olsen, proprietor of the
Phoenix saloon at Murray, testified that
Arnold was a pretty good sort of q
fellow. His health had been very bad
. for long time, and sometimes it was
with great difficulty that he could sit
UP. Witness gave him work because
he thought the family treated hhn bad
" at home. He said he did not think
il strange that ArnOld's wife and
daughter should go cut and work when
defendants health WAS taken into con-
sideration.
Edmund Bachelor had known Ar
nold for Is years and he had always
conducted himself well.
The case viii come up again tomor-
row, when Mrs. Arnold's turn will
come. -.