The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-02
Mrs. Elizabeth s. COwan Brings
Suit Against Rouss Estate.
HER DEMAND IS sas,25o.
Says the Late Broadway Merchant Prom
Issd Her $4,000 to Keep QaIst, but
Only Paid Small Part,

New York. Jan. Mrs. Elizabeth S.
Cowen has begun suit against the estate
balance OF s39, $50 which she asserts
Is due her by the terms Of an agreement
similar to that under which Miss Edna
Weller Mcclellan is suing TO recover from
the estate an allowance of s35 week for
life.
Mrs. cowen's complaint and summons
have been served by her attorney Jacob
Marx. upon John J. Rooney, who is at
torney for William w. Rouss. executor
OF .-.e estate. The complaint asserts
that in April. 1892 Mr.. Rouss made an
agreement with Mrs. Cowen, in consd-
GRAFTON Of her pledge not TO bring an ac
tion against him TO pay her $4,000.
Mr.. Rouss paid before his death SO. 90,
and suit is brought for the balance with
interest from March 8. 1902. No pro-
vison was made in the writ for Mrs.
Cowen.
Mr. Rooney has returned a demurrer
to the complaint. alleging that the claim
Is not valid
CALLS MARRIAGE A SHAM.
Mrs. Cowen has made statement. in
which she gives the history OF her ac-
quaintance with Mr.. Rouss and the
events which led up 10 the making OF
the agreement. Mr.. Marx said last night
that her contract with the merchant was
not in black and~white, but that IL was
made verbally. in the presence OF two
witnesses. one OF whom was Mrs. Cow
ems present husband.
Mrs Cowen says that she first met
Mr.. Rouks when she was 16 years old.
80 years ago She was then Elizabeth
Sattery. Her mother had dry goods
store In Jersey City. and purchased sup
plies OF Mr. Rouss
The girl met him during her visits TO
his store on business. She says no paid
her attention and visited her home
against the wishes Of her parents. He
told her he was unmarried and finally
Induced her to go with him to Niagara
Falls, where there was marriage cere-
mopy, which she afterward discovered
to be a sham.
she says he brought her TO this city,
where ha hired house for her In which
she was known as Mrs. Rouss. Some
of the employees OF his store lived there
with her at times They continued In
This manner. she says. until 1892.
Mr. Marx had large number OF letters
said to be In thu handwriting Of Mr..
Rouss which Mrs. Coyen says he sent
to her from time TO time. These will
be offered Int evidence when the case
comes TO trial From few OF these let
ters the following extracts are taken:
My Angel Girl Lizzie--Alasl; the mas
terry you have over me! Just see how
badly have felt all day, and your pres
ence made me feel we'll and happy You
have me in the palm OF your hand. My
destiny is yours. and yours. too, Is mine.
II ever 1. in the long years that are yet
before us. my girl forget YOU or do you
wrong. may my good God forget and
curse me. Believe me- my darling. you
shall never have cause to regret that you
crossed the pathway OF Charles.
NEVER OFFERED PRAYER
y In another letter Mr. Rouss made the
assertion that he was not in the habit
Of offering prayer. He said:
You asked me to pray. Alas. my poor
girl. never, no never do but you have
my hopes. my sympathy. and my sor-
row blends with your own cares and af-
flictiops l hope my cares and
troubles may never darken your face. II
II. God knows. sad and sweet enough to-
day. let alone tomorrow or another day,
and. though the face is not that OF
beauty. though beautiful. II Is one that |
love TO think Of and gaze at in memory's
< vision. and on which. when my last day
and hour comes. ! would love TO look
BENJAMIN Steinhardt has letters writ
ten by Mr. Rouss, who had the reputation
OF never writing 20 Miss Mcclellan dur
ing her stay I'm Paris. where she went
IN 1900. and where she was when he died.
Miss McClelan's father knew moth
Ing about the cause of her grievance
against Mr.. Rouss' Mr.. Steinhardt said
last night. Her mother knew and IL
was after they had come To the firm OF
Howe e. Hummel for the purpose OF be-
ginning an action that Mr.. Rouss pro-
posed the allowance Of 1886 week. The
contract was dictated by me and Il Is
good. II was made out and signed by
Mr.. Rouss IN the presence OF Mr.. Rouss'
family and Miss Mcclellan. In my safe
have the letters which he sent her
while she was in Paris. where he sent
her money"
Miss Mcclellan Is - years old.
She visited the offce Of Howe e. Hum
mel yesterday with her mother. but both
refused TO discuss the suit. referring all
Inquiries 10 Mr.. steinhardt. Her lawyers
said Miss Mcclellan met Mr.. Rouss when
she was raising a fund 10 purchase a
house for Rear Admiral Schley. IN 1900
She went 10 Mr.. Rouss Office. and he
contributed s. to the fund. BY adopting
fhe endless chain plan. Miss Mcclellan
raised nearly $4,000 In three months.