New-York tribune., 1902-07-26
WATT POINTS AT MINISTER.
GOT CONFESSION FROM HIM
WITH REVOLVER.

Justice Hall in the Supreme Court yesterday
heard arguments the application of Mrs Adele
Watt for $3.50 week alimory and counsel fee Of
$3.50 pending the trial OF suit for divorce which
she has brought against her husband. Archibald
Watt, former commodore OF the American Yacht
Club and owner Of the steam yacht American. The
Watts were married June Is, 1895. Immediately
after the bride had obtained a divorce from her
first husband. Charles Mclaughlin
Il opposition 70 his wife's application Mr. Watt
Yesterday submitted, through counsel. an affidavit
declaring that there truth in an alleged
confession of relations with Mrs. Irene Rice, and
asserting that he had been compelled to write the
statement his wife's dictation and at the point
OF pistol. The affidavit declares that his wife
threatened him with pistol other times. and
1hat he Is not guilty of misdeeds which his wife
accuses him Of Mr.. Watt denies that he has
become drunkard and has abused and neglected
his wife. He declares that he was obliged to re-
buke her for remaining away from their home on
the yacht until late hours in company with other
men and he says Mrs. Watt entertained clergy
man. whose name is withheld. at late hours on the
yacht.
Mrs. Watts conduct with the unnamed clergy
man IS the burden OF long affidavit made by
Matte s. Snailwood the colored stewardess of the
Yacht. Several occasions are mentioned which
Mrs. Watt met the clergyman in the city and sent
the stewardess out of the way On one occasion
the affidavit says. Mrs. Watt took the stewardess 10
a church picnic at Empire Grove, where they met
the clergyman and rode with him in junk cart
10 A railroad station. Returning TO the city. the
clergyman and Mrs. Watt. il is alleged. sent the
stewardess to a place in Harlem TO wait until 1t
was time TO return TO the yacht. Mrs. Watt later
the affidavit says. instructed the stewardess TO say
that they had returned from the picnic on the
steamboat Grand Republic On another occasion
Mrs Watt took the stewardess to church where
the clergyman preached in the evening, and aI'er
the service he met them at retreshTnent place
in Broadway near One-hundredth-st- There the
clergyman and Mrs Watt had Scotch whiskey
served in small TASKS, the affidavit says, and they
remained in the place until late hour. The stew
ardess says the clergyman often talked 10 Mrs
Tvatt by telephone. He would call UP the yacht at
night and ask II the coast was clear. II the COM
unodore was in bed and II the admiral was ueEe
Then Mrs Watt would go to the telephone ana
talk Later the clergyman would go ABOARD lhe
-scb+ and stav until late. The affidavit says that
Mrs Watt had a violent temper, and that on the
evening of a quarrel with her husband she hao d
pistol ,...s !
10 the court an affidavit which declares tnat Il
W Watt anpesred in person il would be apparent
10 the court that he addicted TO the lnrnooer-
ate use Of intoxicating liquors She declared tnat'
having received no attentions from her husband
she uas obliged TO seek recreation and attend 10
social duties but the insinuations contained IN MS
affidavit and in the affidavit Of the colored stew"
ardess were cruel and wicked. she declares lha'
sha has been interested in church work and has
entertained the clergy with the knowledge and
consent of her husband. She says she was obliged
10 ask the clergy refrain from visiting the yachI
because her husbands habits had become oojec-
tionabe. She had been obliged 10 entertain guests
at the Yacht in her husbands absence after p m.
because after that hour her husband was in
homeless and rnaudlin state and had 10 be put to
bed" She denies that she has been inolscreet Win
the unnamed clergyman and says the references TO
him in the afidavits made maliciously with
the intent TO frghten her into withdraW wing her suit
for divorce
Ex-Judge Augustus Van Wyck, Of counsel for
Mr.. Watt arguing against the application, said;
Ny client has income. and never had, He had
rich aunt and they expect he will inherit large
fortune. That's what they are seeking. The aunt
gave him LOT of Unimproyed property and ne nyes
BY mortgaging IT. He has borrowed sll5ooo in this
way and had $500 debts. and he wanted 70 raise
$1,000 another mortgage The wife wanted sl5 oo0
Of this and increase in her pin money, and
that's how the break came in the connubial felicity
Of this couple
David May OF counsel for Mrs. Watt, protested
that II wicked 10 bring the unnamed clergy
into the case. he had visited the yacht with
his wife and on the invitation Of Mr.. Watt, and
the only affidavit involving him was one by col
ored stewardess. which he didn't consider worthy
of consideration, and which the plaintiff denied.
Justice Hall reserved decision