New-York tribune., 1909-12-30
CLOSE BROKAW CASE
END Il SURPRISE.
Husbands Counsel Worried by
Clients admissions. ~

Mineola, Long Island. Dec 2s-Much sur
prise was shown in the courtroom here
this morning when counsel for both sides
IN the separation suit of Mrs. w. Gould
Brokaw from her husband, with $4,000 a
year alimony, rested their cases. after only
one witness had been examined in rebuttal,
thet being Mrs. Brokaw.
The abrupt termination was caused by
the breakdown ot Mr.. Brokaw OF the stand
last night. when Mr.. Baldwin gave him
such a grueliing that he made answers
which his lawyers were unable TO offset,
and which threw them into a panic re-
Earding the value Of his assets Mr..
Brokaw for awhile was very firm in his
answers. but Mr.. Baldwin kept at him.
and he finally became so nervous that he
left the stand several times before the
night adjournment.
Just before sourt opened this morning,
Mr.. Bush and Mr. Mcintyre with Mr..
Baldwin. entered Justice Putnam's private
Office and were cioseted there for a half
hour.
II was later learned that Mr.. Mcintyre
had said they were completely taken by
surprise by the answers of their client last
night. and that they wished to discontinue
the case.
Mr.. Baldwin assured the justice that he
had many fifteen witnesses who
would corroborate Mrs. Brokaw, and JUS
tice Putnam finally decided to allow Mr..
Brofaw's attorneys to produce on Saturday
morning a list OF their clients property
Mr.. Baldwin made a formal objection TO
be or record, and Justice Putnam gave him
the privilege Of cross-exauining Brokaw
as 10 the list. Mr.. Baldwin stated that he
was IN possession of certain information
regarding Brokaws wealth which would
show that he could not possibly have spent
all his income. and that he was even now
worth more than 100000
After the case had been adjourned the
sportsman and Mr.. Weiss. his counsel,
paced up and down in front Of the build
ing for more than half an hour, then Mr..
Rrokaw went TO the Garden City Hotel
with his attorneys.
Mrs Brokaw appeared in court early
accompanied by her father. While wait
ing for the case TO be called Mrs Brokaw
found considerable amusement in the
morning papers. regarding the case, but
her father finally took the papers from
her.
Mr.. Brokaw again took the stand, but
Mr.. Baldwin asked him no questions, and
after Mr.. Mcintyre had asked him if there
we're any children as a result of his mar
riage, he was excused, much to his sur
prise.
Mrs Brokaw was then recalled by Mr..
Baldwin. She denied that she had told
Superintendent Avery OF the Brokaw
estate at Great Neck that she was very
unhappy and intended 10 leave her hus
land. She also explained about the dress
that was made for her sister and for
which Mr.. Brokaw paid So. She said that
she and her husband were talking about
Christmas presents for members of her
family and that Brokaw suggested that
she go and pick out dress for her sister
and she did SO.
Mrs. Brokaw denied that she had ever
told Dr. Pau that she was going TO watch
her husband. TO find out il he had any
relations with other women. and denied
ever telling him to go 10 hell"
Mrs. BrOkaW denied that she had ever
smoked cigarettes on her farm in the
presence of her husband before Their mar
Jlage. Mr.. Brokaw had testified that the
plaintiffs father had threatened him and
that when he spoke to his wife about it
she had said: "Oh, don't mind him. He
Is crazy" Mrs. Brokaw denied that she
had ever made such a remark.
The court adjourned until Saturday.