The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-17

Judge Douglas heard some very re-
markable depositions and statements in
his court upon his calling OF the cases
of Louis Smith VS.. Florence NJ. crecilius
Smith and Florence NJ. crocilius Smith VS..
Louis Smith.
These cases proved 20 be petitions for
the annulment of marriage performed
by Rev. Frederick NJ. Smith, assistant
rector of Grace church. The cases were
heard i'm part today, on dispositions.
Mrs Smiths father. Emil Crecilius. so
both sides claimed, forced the marriage
under threats TO kill Mr.. Smith, Miss
Crecilius and himself
So startling were the statements con-
tanned in the depositions that before Mrs.
Smiths depositions were read Judge
Douglas ordered all the parties brought
before him tomorrow afternoon at 2:30
o'clock
WINTER AND SPRING.
Mrs. Smith when she was married was
16 years old and Mr. Smith 56, and
widower.
The parties first met when the now
Mrs. Smith worked for Mr.. Smiths sister,
a dressmaker ON Hoppin street.
Mr. Smith was represented by Attorney
Frank 7 Easton and Mrs Smith by At
torney Frederick RuecASrt.
IL was stated Just before Judge Douglas
adjourned court that Mr. Creclius was
calmer now The mother of Mrs.
Smith tried TO defer the mar
riage. but was afraid 10 take any effective
steps i'm that direction.
The first deposition read was that Of
Rev Frederick w Smith. who said that
~ Al
1890 p. m, he saw I'm his parlor young
woman. who was accompanied by two
men, neither one OF whom was young.
CLERGYMAN HAD DOUBTS.
Rev. Mr.. Smith was asked if nc was a
minister and was Informed that he was
expected TO marry the woman TO one of
the men, owing TO the disparity of the
ages OF the parties he hestated and asked
his landlady about the case.
The landlady said she understood that
the girl was i'm trouble and that the man
she was TO marry was the responsible
person.
As the license was produced and tho
parties denied that there was any com
pulsion. he performed the ceremony
The deposition OF AIR. Smith set forth
that he had lived at u TToppn street
since 1889, except for two or three years.
That for sometime before the marriage
they had worked at the same place for his
sister who was n drcssmaher Miss
smith.
Las. summer his sister won't away as
was her custom at that time of year fo~
vacation and Miss Crecilius worked as
bookkeeper and collector for him He was
then collector for a fratornal organza-
tion.
THREATS TO SHOOT.
on Sept 10 Mr. Crecilms. the father OF
the girl, came 60 his house and said that
IL he. Smith. did not marry Miss Crcclius
at once there would he some shooting; IN
fact that ne. Crecilius would shoot the
brother of the drcssmalcr. Miss Smith.
Miss Crociits aud himsolt
Mr.. Smith said very ittC ot htat time
The nest morning Mr.. 'rccilius came Co
ti, O=thy N Barton shops where tht
pctitioncr worked. and demanded that hc
should go 90 the citv hall and gct
marringc iireusc
MI. smith went With Crccilu' to thc
CITY hall aud th,rc found tlut 10 was
neccfsar, iu order to get the liccuec that
the lady should be present
MARRIAGE LICENSE PROCURED.
Mr.. Crocilius got carriage and went
after his daughter, they secured the H.
cense and then went 10 Rev. Mr.. Smiths
home. where the marriage took place.
Mrs Smith lived with the witness two
weeks Her father one day during that
period mot Mr.. Smith and threatened TO
shoot him. if within iS hours. he did not
take out a 5000 insurance policy on his
life.
Smith deposed that he Is nve feet four
and a half inches tall and weighs $50
pounds while his father-n-law II six
fcct tall and weighs 200 pounds.
Mr. Smith. after the marriage. drcw
money from the bank and got his wife
clothes.