The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-06
WAS IN FEAR
OF HIS WIFE.
Ersklns Lsarnsd Too Late Thai
Sh, Had Been Insane.
FATHER COMMITTED SUICIDE.
ccunssI for tho Rlsp1nisni Ciarg, th, Pc
iiipnlr Of TamJsTiay With Witnesses
for Mrs. trsk,n,.
FATHER COMMITTED SUICIDE.

| New York, Feb. John Il. Erskine.
Jr OF the law firm OF Fvarts, Van Cott
& Erskine, is suing his wife for an abso-
Lutte divorce. The case came up for trial
before Justice Scott, in the supreme
court yesterday. The plaintiff was pres
ent with all his witnesses, but Lawyer
John Brooks Leavitt. counsel for Mrs.
\ Erskine, asked for delay.
! 1t came 90 my knowledge Saturday 4"
| said Mr.. Leavitt, that this man Erskine
who appears In the dual capacity Of eli
| ent and counsel. offered pecuniary in
| ducernents TO one of our witnesses. lie
cnticed his wife 20 a lonely house I'm New
ark. where he surrounded her by his
| emissaries and spies. IN order 20, get this
divorce The suit N the outcome OF con-
spiracy and desire time to investigate -
Justice Scott placed the case AZ the
head OF the calendar for tomorrow morn
ing.
The legal advisers OF Mr. Erskine,
goaded by the charges made In open
court, yesterday related his side Of the
story. backed by documentary evidence.
Mr. Erskine was married juno 80. 1896.
Ills wife was the daughter OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Dennis Beach. who lived In a fine
old country house az Milford. Conn. Mr.
Beach was rich and had retired from
business. The daughter was n charming
DfNNette. JUST out or ner tsens.
WE'D HIS cHUMs SISTER.
Harry Beach. a brother of the young
woman, was classmate Of young Frs
kline NJ Columbia. They belonged 10 the
same Greek-letter fraternity. During the
summer vacation OF 1895 Ersklne visited
the Beaches and first met his future
wife.
Later IN the same year he was best man
q Cal
with the sister and they became engaged
The marriage took place in June. lsge.
Erskine had completed his studies and
was starting the practice OF law I'm this
city. After their honeymoon the young
couple came 20 New York 10 live
For months Mr.. and Mrs Erskine lived
In domestic bliss. Then, Il IL alleged she
began 10 act strangely. Erskine says that
on more than one occasion she started
fires in the house which threatened 10
burn IL down; that she threatened and
attempted suicide by gas and poison many
times: that he with difficulty prevented
her from killing herself on many occa-
slons.
He loved her and had only pity for her
he said. He was surprised that members
OF her own family so seldom. called az the
house.
There was great sensation when Den
nis Beach. the father, committed suicide
IN providence. That was two years after
the wedding. II was not until then that
Erskine learned that on Aug. 81. 1899, the
Young woman whom -he-had afterward
married had been adjudged insane and
had been committed by Judge Giegerich |
to Sanford Hall, in Flushing. l.. l.
Mr.. Erskine has certified copy of the |
commitment signed by Or. NJ. r. Vedder |
and Dr. J. s. Warner. both OF this city.
The young woman, according 90 the rec |
ord. had been discharged In the custody |
OF her father, as cured, on Nov. 10, 1898.
FEARED SHE WOULD KILL HfY.
Ersklne left his wife, he says because |
he was fearful she would kill him while |
he slept She claimed, II is alleged, that !
she was mind reader. and that people |
feared her because OF her supernatural |
powers. He offered her money for sup. /
port and she refused It, saying that she |
did not need II. TO be rid OF her he went !
to California.
He returned in May last His rife's /
mother had died and she persuaded him |
to return TO her. He fitted up an 1900 |
house for her at 9i3 Grove street New
ark. and sent man and a maid 20 put
things in order. Mrs. Erskine. he alleges /
ordered them both from the place and
took In a young man OF her own choice
named Thomas Ward. ErslSine heard that
she had visited a gypsy camp on the out
skirts OF Newark and had declared her
Intention of Joining the band. He decided
not 20 go 90 Newark lie names Ward as
20 o-respondent IN his suit for divorce: