The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-13
Mrs. Greene and Rev. Mr..
Howell Were Often Observed.
OPERA GLASSES WERE USED.
Divorce Suit Is Causing The Biggest Kind
OF a Sensation That Monticello
Has Ever Known.

Monticello. N y, Dec. l3.-The case
Of Mrs. Jennie l.. Greene against Samuel
B. Greene for absolute divorce, which
has been in progress here for two days,
is creating the biggest sensation the
town has ever known.
From the commencement the court
room has been crowded 10 the doors,
and, Notwithstanding the highly spiced
character OF much OF the testimony
many women are present 10 hear IL.
Both parties tc the suit are socially
prominent. Mrs. Greene is a daughter
of +. A. Niven of Monticello. Mr.Greene
Is a lawyer.
Mrs. Greene names as correspondent
Nellie coulson. an attractive young
woman. who was for years a servant in
her household
Mr.. Greene denies that his actions with
Miss Coulson were otherwise than prop
er. and charges Mrs. Greene with i'm
propriety with the Rev. David r. How
ell, until about two years ago the rector
OF ST. Johns Episcopal church.
T. A. Niven, Mrs. Greene's father. Of
fered In evidence two highly spiced let
ters, containing pledges OF love, sent TO
Mr. Greene by Miss Coulson.
cLERGYMAN's WIFE BLAMEs HIM.
Mr.. Greene followed Mr.. Nlven on the
stand and he was followed by Mrs. How
ell, wife OF the former rector. who said
all her troubles with her husband had
arisen from his familiarity with Mrs.
Greene.
Mrs Howell testified that the clergy
man was accustomed TO go to Mr.
Greene's home on Sunday evenings, that
AIr- of In.
vite him and that Mrs. Greene had an
swered that she would invite Mr.. How
ell as often she saw III and that he
could visit her as often as he cared TO do
so.
Mrs. Howell produced a letter which
she said was written 20 her husband.
which said I'VE will have gay ana
happy holiday just the same. just the
same"
Mrs. Howell said the rectory was so
situated that from Mr. HoweH's room
Mrs. Greene's room could be plainly seen
and she told how she and others had
watched the windows on different nights.
She testified that Mr.. Howell was ac-
customed 10 place a lighted lamp on his
window sill while retiring and when he
turned the light nearly out Mrs. Greene
In her window did likewise, signalling
TO the minister
OTHERS SAW THE SIGNALS.
Mrs. B. s. Johnston, Mrs. William H.
Cady and Mrs. John r. Roosa told OF
witnessing the night window signals.
Charles Mullins, a man of all work
about the Greene place. swore to the in
timacy between Mrs. Greene and the
Rev. Mr. Howell. Mrs. Greene. he said,
had sent him with many notes to the
rector. and while they met he stood on
guard.
He had by his instructions removed a
barrel from n back gateway opening to-
ward the rectory. presumably so that
the Rev. Mr.. Howell could enter Mrs
Greene's homs unobserved Mrs Greene
and the rector. he testified, were togeth-
er much In Mr.. Greenes absence from
home.
Frank T.. Geraghty, a neighbor OF the
rector, said he had seen the signals from
the windows at different times, both the
clergyman and Alrs. Greene being very
much en- deshabllle.
He testified that with others using op-
era glasses he had stood between the
rectory and Mrs. Greenes home watch
ing the windows.
IL is expected that the trial Will con-
tinue for two or three days.