The Topeka state journal., 1900-08-01
'MISUSED" WIFE.
Married Al Years, Mrs. Bates
Seeks a Divorce.
Had a Hazy Notion She Had
Been Mistreated.
MADE A POOR WITNESS
Judge Hazen Decides No Di-
V0rce Is Necessary.
DismisseS the Case After Giving
Some Good Advice.

Judge Hazen abruptly ended the di-
vorce case of Mrs A. Esther Bates
against her husband, C. A Bates,
which was heard Tuesday afternoon.
The case was dismissed
The court room was crowded with
friends and witnesses of the parties to
the case. Mrs Bates and her husband
have been living on East Fourth street.
The entire neighborhooh seemed to be
in attendance. Mrs. Bates was the first
and last witness placed upon the stand.
She testified taht her husband had mis-
treated her.
In what way did your husband treat
you differently than during all of your
married hfe?" asked A H. Vance, the
attorney for Mr.. Bates.
I wanted some changes made in the
house and he would not make them. I
wanted the kitchen changed into bed
the Kitchen said Mrs Bates
What else was different?"
Il couldn't tell YOU 1t just come to
me by degrees
well, name some particular thing"
He wouldn't keep up the repairs on
the house"
Did you say he swore at your"
Yes
Did he ever swear before during
your married life?"
Yes. but he stopped for a year.
''Well. what was the beginning of the
trouble?"
7 wanted him to give me what was
given ME by my mother and he
wouldn't. I had stock that L had
bought and he gave me the sale price
Of a critter every year"
What did that have to do with it?''
1.-The lawyer told me the only way l
could get it was to bring divorce
suit
s'Then at first you didn't intend to
hiring a divorce SIlit 9fF
No
Here Judge Hazen interrupted and
said: Il would like to know why this
case was brought2"
Because he misused me- said Mrs.
Bates He wouldn't give me any
money and what owned went to a
lawyer and he told me the only way to
get what I wanted was to bring d.
vorce suit
.'Did you have any money at the time
you brought this suit?'
II had $70''
Did you file a poverty affidavit?"
Yes"
why did you do it?"
''The lawyer told me to. I didn't know
any difference. I didn't get the money
until after he told me-"
Didn't you collect rent from a house
owned by Mr. Bates?" asked the law
YES I paid the rent of our house
out of it, bought my clothes and saved
the $40 out of it,
Didn't you get money from a man
named Barnett?"
Yes
Did Mr.. Bates tell you to get it?"
mo. I just got it,
'sWho paid Mr.. Barnett?"
why he had to-" meaning MI
''Then whatever you wanted he let
Let nothing" snapped Mrs, Bates
mo let about it. 1 just got it. The
Clr cd
said couldn't have it. said wanted
the money my mother gave me he
said had spent it forty times over
Didn't he help your son on the
Yes and I didn't want him to go
every day to the farm and come with
his clothes dirty and he cross
When he got up in the morning TO
go to the farm who prepared his break
fast?"
Who prepared the lunch he took
Some times did"
Again Judge Hazen interrupted and
said: Il don't see any use of going on
granted without stronger evidence
These people are too old to be Sepa-
rated without stronger testimon$:
There is no use to take up the time OF
court If the other witnesses only cor
roborate this testimony. These people |
have been married forty-one years ana
a divorce would be only disgrace TO
the children. Mrs Bates seems to nave |
had credit at the grocery store and to !
have collected the rent of a house ana |
has money and is able to buy what she !
needs
rs she entitled to alimony?" asked |
Mr.. Bates attorney.
7 think not" replied the judge. she
has all the credit she needs. What VIII |
you do with the case?"
Dismiss it without prejudice, an
Rat
1.-The case is dismissed without pre1u- |
dice" announced the court.
Mrs Bates left the witness stand IAN
ming herself very diligently and left the |
court room without looking to the right |
or left and without waiting for her
friends. :,
well, I guess I'll go home, judge,
said Mr.. Bates. as he arose and
stretched himself