The Washington times., 1901-11-05
A new CROSS-BILL FILED.
MIR. Rodney Represented by Addi-
tiOnal Counsel in Divorce Suit.
Hosea b. MoultOn His Attorney In
Revised Proceedings Retired
Naval officer Says His Wife Never
Intended to Live With Him.

Lieutenant Commander Robert Burton
Rodney, United States Navy, retired, has
employed additional counsel to prosecute
his suit for divorce against his young
wife, Margaret E. Rodney. This fact was
developed day or two ago. when Hosea
B. Moulton, on behalf of Mr.. Rodney.
filed an amended and supplemented cross
bill to the proceedings for divorce insti-
tuted some months ago by Mrs. Rodney.
in the recently filed cross-bill, Mr.. Rod
ney states that he has learned from Mrs.
Rodney and others that at the time OF
their marriage, In November, 1899, she
did not, nor does she now, intend to live
with him. He further alleges that she
married him as a matter of financial
speculation, to secure money by any
means. Her sole object, he declares, was
to obtain money and property.
Since their marriage. Mr. Rodney states,
his wife has by publication made known
the fact that she hates and scorns him.
Further than this, he says that she has
frequently assaulted him with her hands
and fists. He states that she is mercen-
airy. selfish and heutless, and besides
these grounds he asks for legal separa-
tion from her on statutory grounds.
In the original cross-biIl, Mr.. Rodney
states that his wife has been guilty of i'm
moral. dissolute. shameless an fndictable
conduct. He also states that she as
saulted him In November. 1900. and in
May last, and again on June %. of this
year. She married him, he declares, purely
for business reasons, for money and its
purchasable advantages. EEs s
His wife's conduct, Mr.. Rodney states.
has caused his partial seclusion from So
ciety. and deprived him of his rightful So
cial influence, which he contends is an
important capital to every officer OF the
navy, and its loss is a heavy blow to him.
Continuing. Mr.. Rodney states that no
American girl would have dealt so vilely
with her husband. an officer in her coun-
trys navy. Her patriotism alone would
have Inspired her to decency and kind
ness.
The domestic troubles of the Rodneys
have been a subject of litigation before
the local courts ever Since a few weeks
after their marriage. at Toronto, or No
vember 3, 1899. Mrs. Rodney was Miss
Margaret T.. owens, is of English e.1trac-
ton, and a distant relative of Mr.. Rod
ney. Immediately after their marriage
they came to this city to live, Mr.. Rod
ney securing apartments at the FredOnia
Hotel for his bride and her friend, Miss
Elizabeth Cole, cousin.
courts it is learned that Miss Coles pres
ence, az a member OF the household, was
distasteful to Mr.. Rodney. and according
to the statement OF Mrs. Rodney, he en-
deavored to freeze her out of the house
Miss Cole claims that she came TO Wash
ington as a companion to Mrs. Rodney
at the solicitation of her husband who
agreed to pay her $50 per month for her
services Mr.. Rodney denied this, and
Miss Cole had recourse to the law in her
effort TO collect her salary. After hear
ing testimony in relation 10 the matter,
however. the court decided that Miss Cole
had no claim for wages which she could
enforce.
In the meantime Mrs. Rodney had COM
menced proceedings against her husband
for separate support and maintenance. A
reconciliation was, however effected be
tween the parties and the proceedings
dropped 1t was not long afterward
however. when Mrs. Rodney again began
proceedings for divorce.
In connection with these proceedings
the court appointed an examiner in chan
cery who has for some time been taking
testimony In relation TO the allegations
made in the bill of complaint.