The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-08
BARTON CONTESTS
HIS WIFE'S PETITION.
She Seeks Divorce on the Ground
of NOn-SuppOrt, and He
Charges Adultery.

Judge Rogers today gave a good deal
OF time to the hearing OF the contested
petition for divorce of Dora Il. Barton
VS.. Percy Il. Barton. the trial of which
was begun on Friday last. When the
case was heard last Mrs. Barton refus-
ed 10 answer certain questions put To
her by Mr.. Prescott, counsel for the re-
Spondent. She gave no reason for her
refusal and at the opening OF the hear
ing today Judge Rogers stated that in
such n case IL seemed the rule of the
law that such refusal bore against the
witness refusing TO answer the ques-
tons. Mrs. Barton seeks divorce on
the ground OF non-support and i'm a
cross bill Mr.. Barton charges his wife
with adultery.
One rather peculiar feature OF the
case is that Mrs. Barton was divorced
from her former husband Mr. Griffin.
Mr.. owen, counsel for Mrs. Barton,
asked Mr. Barton when the latter was
on the witness stand II he paid for his
wife's divorce from herf lrmer husband.
The answer was negative one, but Mr..
Barton said he had known his wife for
20 years and courted her before she
married Griffin. All the parties inter-
ested i'm the case are residents of War
rem. According 10 his wife Mr.; Barton
has many bank shares, cor ierable
he follows the humble calling of
crossing tender in his native town.
Mrs. Barton was recalled this morn
ing and admitted that she attended
clam bake at Dighton Rock Park. This
was one of the questions she refused TO
answer on Friday last The bake was
public one and was attended, she said.
by 500 or 900 people. ON ss-eXamina-
tion witness said the reason she did not
reply TO the question about the clam
bake was she was afraid counsel was
trying to mix her up. Witness could
not remember whether she was on a
certain street with "A Mr.. Cole or not.
Judge Rogers asked witness III she
Gould not remember how she thought
the question could mix her up. This
question was one Mrs. Barton had pre-
viously refused 10 answer
In answer 10 a question by Mr.. Owen
Mrs. Barton said that among the con-
Germs in which Mr.. Barton held stock
were the HargraVes mills. Globe Yarn
company Fall River; Richard Borden
Manufacturing company OF Fall River.
Providence Telephone company, Cor
ham Manufacturing company, Della
ware, Lackawanna and Western Rail
road company. Witness told Mr.. Pres
colt she got the names OF the banks and
manufacturing concerns her husband
had stock in from the printing on the
envelopes addressed To him She told
Mr.. owen she had also seen checks sent
for payment of dividends. Mrs. Barton
had testified that her husband never
bought her dress and Mr. Prescott
wanted 90 know who did furnish her
with clothing. The reply was no one
except her grandmother.
Miss Laura j. Smith. who worked IN
the Barton houss hold. testified she
heard Mr. Barton tell his wife not TO
buy certain articles OF food as they
cost too much. One of the particular
articles Objected 10 was spinach Mr..
Barton was not very talkative man
about the house and SO far ms the Wit
Icss knew treated his wife all right.
except In regard 10 objecting as 60 GER
tain articles for the table and house
hold. on cross-examination witness
said once Mr.. Barton refused Co buy