Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-10
THE WILTSHIRE DIVORCE.
Sensational Case at Portland-Parties
Well. known in kennebec.

Portland, Me, Nov. 9.-The divorce
proceedings of Julia Wiltshire against
Harry M. Wiltshire of Gorham, were
begun in the supreme court, Thursday
morning. The charge alleged is cruel
and abusive treatment. Judge Foster
represented Mrs. Wiltshire and VIM.
Lyons of Westbrook, acted as counsel
for Mr.. Wiltshire. The trouble between
the man and wife dates back to a few
years ago when Mrs. Wiltshire began
proceedings in court for divorce and
they were settled outside by Mr.. Will
shire paying $1,000 to his wife.
Mrs. Wiltshire was on the stand the
first of the morning. She said that her
husband had refused to support her
and their child and that he used abus-
i've language and on a number of occa-
sionS struck her.
MIR. Wiltshire denied all the allega-
lions made by his wife. and in turn
accused her of many wrong doirgs. He
said that he had always provided for
the support of the family and that Mrs.
wiltshire always had access to his
money drawer in his store.
The couple were married, Dec. Is,
1897. and since that time have lived in
kennepunk, Newport and Gorham.
Freeman Patten, mayor of Gardiner
in 1899 and 1860, was witness for the
libellant in the divorce case or MIS-.
Julia Wiltshire against Harry NJ. VIII
shire, now being heard before Judge
Whitehouse in the supreme court MT.
Wiltshire is the proprietor of a drug
store at Gorham, and Mrs. Wiltshire
charges cruel and abusive treatment
They were married In Gardiner in 1891
and have one child years old. Inc
wife seeks to get the custody of the
child and alimony Mr.. Wiltshire mas
been a druggist in Togus, kenneounk
and at Newport, going to Gorham III
1901. They had frequent quarrels. MIS-.
Wiltshire leaving her husband seNeral
times.
Mrs. Wiltshire was on the stand, this
morning. She gave testimony in sup
tort of her allegation of cruelty. she
said that her husband frequently s"ore
at her. was insanely jealous OF her and
choked her.
Freeman Patten, formerly mayor Of
Gardiner. and in whose family Mrs
Wiltshire was raised. testified to Mrs.
Wiltshire leaving her husband and go
ing to his home in Gardiner. He also
testified to one reconciliation at which
he was present in which Mrs. Wiltshire
made accusations and Mr. Wiltshire adj
mittcd that they were true. At this
meeting Mr. Wiltshire offered Mrs. Will
Shire $1,000 to come back and live with
him and she did. The $1,000 was de-
Dosited in a bank and the bank book
was kept by the witness wife until
Mrs. Wiltshire finally left her husband,
when the book was sent to him.
Mrs. Annie E. Mosher of Gorham.
who nursed Mrs. Wiltshire through her
confinement and with whom Mr.. and
Mrs. Wiltshire afterwards boarded for
Il winter, testified to quarrels between
husband and wife during which Mr..
Wiltshire talked loud and swore and
Mrs Wiltshire cried.
The night before the child was born
Mr.. Wiltshire quarreled with his wife
until nearly 4 o'clock in the morning
and three days later quarreled with
her again. The witness was attracted
by Mrs Wilshire's crying and upon
going into the room heard Mrs. Will
shire say. You would not dare say
that If Freeman Patten was here" and
heard Mr.. Wiltshire say: I'D smash
his head"
The witness ordered Mr.. Wiltshire
from the room on that occasion. She
testified TO another quarrel had in her
house after this when Mr.. Wiltshire
used profane language.
Cross-examined witness said that
Mrs. Wiltshire was agreeable and not
Quarrelsome.
Didn't she frequently snap and
growl at him." asked Mr.. Lyons in
cross
NO, she never did. No more than
anybody" Mrs. Mosher did not con-
tinue.
Mrs. Mosher told of Mr.. Wiltshire
coming to her house and telling of his
wife leaving him. She asked him what
was the cause of the separation. and
he replied that he made a noise wax
Ing, the baby up and it cried. He asked
his wife to get up and care for the
baby and she refused to. He Their
caught her by the throat and pounded
her head on the pillow, whereupon the
child began to scream. He told the wit
ness that he was glad the chile
screamed because he did not know
what would have happened.
'Tidn't you ask Mr.. Wiltshire tt
come back to your house and board at
ter this?"
NO, sir. 1 did not" There was ne
possibility Of doubling the meaning
that Mrs. Mosher intended to convey
Nv hny. no la
aggressive. as she was during the
whole of her cross-examination, talked
freely, rapidly and uninterruptedly.
INQUIRIES ARE BEING MADE