The age-herald., 1899-08-06

Mississippi worth $2.0OO Mrs. May. he said had no means of support. Jp to 1892 he said. he gave his family everything they wanted. About that time he met some reverses in business and was com pelled to economize, but managedsto pro-
 vide for them; lived with his wife Smother,
 who recognized him as her son-in-law. Up to April 23, 1S99 the children were very affectionate to him. Mr May then told how Newman came into his family as boarder and how he finally began to act officious as if he owned the house. Wit
 ness spoke to his wife about it and she excused Newman, which led to a separa- ton. A reconciliation was effected, a sec
 ond separation followed, and another
 concliation and then the elopement on
 April 2S last. were spoken of by the wit ness in rapid succession.
 Love for His Children
 The petitioner expressed the greatest
 love for the children and said that he
 worshipped them. He also stated that
 when he and his wife could not agree that he had asked her to give him the little girl and that he would never again bother her but would let her go her way.
 At this juncture recess was taken until clock. When the case was resumed Mr.
 May again took the stand and was put through sweating process by the attor- neys for the respondents on cross examina- tion. Before the first child was born he said that he had asked her to have legal marriage performed but did not do on account of dsreputable sister of respond ent.s. He repeated that he had contributed
 to the support of his family, but admitted
 that for some time after 1892 had not done so as lavishly as before for the reason that he was not able.
 He admitted that prior to and about the
 time the little girl was born he visited a prostitute, but that after that time he re-
 formed and had nothing more to do with such persons.
 In regard to the first separation he stated that he found his wife in room with Newman and a man named Beale that Newman's trunk was in the room and that he tried to use a gun on Newman, who fled. Did punch him in the neck, and that New man turned as white as a ghost An attempt was then made to prove that a third child, which died shortly after It's birth in IS93 was buried in the potter field, but this was emphatically denied by the witness who stated that the remains were buried in Metairie cemetery, the hnest
 burying grounds in New Orleans. He stated that he had taken no steps to Legitimate
 the children. Never had their births regis tered.
 The court asked a number of questions concerning the customs of the Catholic
 church in regard to registering certincates of baptism and also regarding legitimate
 and illegitimate questions, which were
 prcmtply answered.
 The court further interrogated the wit
 ness as to what he proposed doing with the
 children if he was awarded their custody
 and was told by the petitioner that he in-
 tended placing the girl in convent school
 and the boy in a good home. Mir May was on the stand for three
 hours altogether, and appeared earnest and
 sincere in what he said. Had . cen Them Together tWn
 men employed at Cody's bakery. testified that they had seen Newman and the woman at their boarding house, No. 4O6 North Eighteenth street, and that they occupied the same room and were known as man and wife
 Chief Austin of the police department was called and testified to the facts in connection with locating them at house in Pigeon Roost which he said was one of the most disreputable locations in the city, being inhabited chiefly by low prostl- tutes and negroes.
 Certain correspondence which had passHd between him and MT May was asked for | by the defense, and was offered in evidence, as were also a number of letters written by respondent to petitioner. Attorney B. B. Howard of New Orleans was placed on the stand, and testified to the good character of the petitioner. He had known or heard of
 Mrs. May as petitioners wife. and had
 known him for many years He also testi- fled concerning the laws of Louisiana, 9nd verified at the interrogation of the court statements made by petitioner concerning the cemetery and convent schools in New Orleans.
 With MT. Towards testimony the pet- toner rested its case. Mother of Children on Stand The mother of the children was the first witness for the defense, and as she took the stand there was look of defiance in her eyes. She was dressed in white and wore a white hat trimmed With purple | plumes, making quite a pretty picture l against the blackboard in the background, | which Is used for drawings and illustra- | tions in certain cases. She was modest in | her demeanor and spoke softly, but dis | tinctly in reply to the questions of the at | torneys. Once during the examination she | gave way to tears, but soon recovered her l self and was little shaken in her cross | exan1in ton.
 | She said that her name was Georgia Gamble, and that she was 29 years of age. That she first met May in 1884. Was work | ing at Kuhns store in Canal street in New | Orleans, and was in bad health. MT. May she said, suggested to her that she stay at home and place herself under treatment, offering to pay the expenses. "He was
 very attentive, and after that time." she said, ''I never went back to work. I kept company with him for several years. 'iHe took me buggy riding, and about two months after he met me he proposed mar riage and I accepted. He called at the house regularly and finally succeeded in accomplishing his purpose.
 When found l was in a delicate condi- tion insisted on having the marriage cere-
 mony performed before a justice of the
 peace, but he refused. stating that it would
 ruin him. He brought me plain gold wedding ring and told me to wear it, but
 refused. We went to housekeeping and it was agreed that I take the name May
 although he did not publicly acknowledge
 me as his wife. He cautioned me not to let it be known.
 q went twice to his sisters house and the first time received a cordial welcome, l but the next time was treated coolly and | did not stay long. After that he told me his | people did not like me and for me not to | go about them Finally he began to stay l away from the house and I would only see | him occasionally. We were living with my
 mother and she knew the relations that existed between us and tried to get him to carry out his promise to marry me- but he | always had an excuse. He managed to pay