The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-13
TENED
WITH A RAZOR.
Charge Made by Mrs. Sarah A.
Smith Against Husband.
SIZE IS SEEKING A DIVORCE.
Also Alleges That He Declared He W,aId
Kill Her Before The Sun Rose.
TORE COAT FROM HER BACK, SHE SAYS
The Defendant Makes a General Denial ofAIl the
Charges, and Says Wife Failed 10
Caro- For Home or Child.
Also Alleges That He Declared He WaIi
Kill Her Before The Sun Rose.
TORE COAT FROM HER BACK, SHE SAYS

Mrs. Sarah A. Smith, n comely look
ing colored woman, who is also a singer
and member of the Violet club sought
a divorce from her husband, William
"A. Smith IN the appellate court to-
day on the grounds of non-upport and
extreme cruelty. Mr.. Smith claims his
wife deserted him, did not properly take
care OF his home and child and injured
his reputation by saying that he had
been put under bonds to keep the
peace. Mrs. Smiths charges of cruelty
include allegations that her husband
threatened to kill her. lie denies ey-
erything.
Mrs. Smith testified that she was
married 10 Mr.. Smith I'm 1898 from the
home Of her godmother. and that once
at 'Narrasansett Pier her husband drew
razor on her When she was stopping
at her godmother's home he came there
ana threatened TO shoot her before the
sun arose again. Just few days after
her confinement she asserted her hus-
band was very cruel 10 her. once she
went 10 New York Co work. leaving her
child with her godmother and her hus-
'NAA'N Abfh AAi' fAllil away. Ent alter
wards recovered possession Of IT, Dur
ing severe Illness she claimed her
husband refused 10 purchase dellcacies
that she needed, though he did pay her
board.
ON cross examination witness said
her husband twice tore the coat from
her back, once pulling her off "A car on
Cranston street and taking the last 10
cents she had in the world She denied
sIhg N IL
else that Mr.. Smith never struck her
In his life. Her husband. witness said,
had refused 90 let her fulhH her en-
gagements TO sing In church. She had "A
wen furnished home. but could get no
money for clothes. Asked az To where
her husband hal kept the child when he
had IL. she said part OF the time with
his aunt, a Miss Smith. The child was
In very bad condition as to clothing
and cleanliness when she got Il back.
Are not Miss Smith and your hus-
band bitter enemies now? asked coun-
sci for the husband"
That | cannot tell. You know / am
neither OF them" was the very keen
answer OF the witness.
Miss Walker. the godmother of the
previous witness. said she had brought
her up and then told OF some pretty
rough oaths that she claimed Smith
used to his wife. She heard Smith
threaten 90 kill his wife and sent for
The police OF the Fourth station.
Mr.. Smith testified that he never in
his life struck his wife, never threat
ened to Kill her and never drove hsr
from his home. He objected to his
wife going 10 cheap dances ana denied
specifically every charge made by his
wife, saying that the tearing OF the
,oat must have been an accid Ant. lie
VAS steward and a short time ago had
20 so TO New York 20 get work. Before
going he saw his wife on Westminstar
street with man named Daniel Grown
hat he was informed followed race
racks, but is now i'm Cranston Tor lar
'eny. Patrol Driver Johnson of the |
'ourth station was called as "a witness. |
3c lived I'm the same house az the |
smiths at one time. but his testimony |
vas not available.
Mrs Smith was recalled and said she |
My knew Mr.. Brown as a singer in |
he employ OF the Violet club. an or
that she and other parties |
onduCted. Brown occasionally saw
or home from rehearsals and twice tho
lub went TO the pier and after sing
ne az churches sang around the hotels. |
m neither visit TO the pier did the
arty separate very early. It was not
he custom at watering places 10 do
{. NJ. salisbury was counsel for Mrs.
mith ana John +. Byrno counsel for
lr Smith.