Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-29
IS Wife's Counsel Keep Up
Pointed Questions Fire.
Mrs. BTokaw Often Smiles al
Husbands Discontinue.
Brokaw', I'M Of drinking" Man
Would make Most Men Smile.

+ New York, Dec. 2S.-W. Gould Bro
ykaw had bad day of it on the STAND
al Mineola, l.. l., today. Previously he
mad testified son his attitude OF fair
\ ness toward his wife, who is suing for
separatian5 with alimony OF S6O,0O0 a
year, but today, under skiltul cross
examination by her lawyer, he was
forced tos admit that he had accused
nd IN letter 10 his mother-in-laW, or
k6f{nc another man, of drinking too
mach port wine and Of smoking cigar
cites. He also admitted that his secre-
tary. ByaOrd, assisted him in breaking
down the door of his wife's bedroom.
Brokaw was in an irritable mood and
forgetful of details. The pretty PLAIN
tiff. however, was in as light humor
as her husbands was dark Almost
buried in white furs she sat within a
few feet OF the witness and often
smiled The courtroom was crowded.
In addition to the several interesting
Developments in Brokaws testimony,
it became know today that Mrs. Frank
J. Gould, Lieut.. Governor ana MRS.
Horace White of Syracuse and other
friends Of Mrs. Brokaw, had offered to
appear as witnesses in her behalf, put
counsel for Mrs. Brokaw said he con-
sicered his clients ease sufficiently
strong and declined the Offer These
friends were nearly all members OF a
house party to which BrokaW mad
strongly objected and it is said they
were willing to testify in order to give
their version of the affair.
Toward the conclusion of the after
noon session, Brokaw gave his definl-
ton of drinking man. He had tes-
tilted before thai he does not drink.
Can you recall any time when you
were in what has been called the Triv-
tally exhilarated state" asked Mrs.
Brokaw's lawyer.
Il cannot" replied the witnes.
When do you think a man qualities
as drinking man." ne was asked.
Well" said Brokaw, Il would not
call anyone a drinking man who takes
less than seven or eight drinks a day
Mr. Rrokaw was questioned sharply
about the breaking down of the door
&c his wife's bedroom in their Great
Neck home. 1t was Secretary Byford
who forced the door, Mr.. BrokaW testl-
fed. Before reSOrting to the forcing
process, they had raped repeatedly
without elicitirg any response. and the
husband feared that something had
happened to Mrs. Brokaw.
Then came another letter the read
ing of which seemed to please the Wit
ness 1t was written by him to Mrs.
Blair, Mrs BroliaWs mother, in Au-
gust, 1905 Mr. Brokaw identified it and
it was marked for the records. One por-
ton of it read:
hcl,i,od hnr who iS ill
advising ne: regarding me to get rid
of me. Well, when we are divorced he
can have hec.
Rrokaw denied that he had ever
taken his wife to a physician to have
her examined because he suspected her
of taking drugs. He had Mrs. Brokaw
go to a doctor, he declared, that she
might be examined for nervousness
Mr. Baldwin drew from the witness
after the reading of the letter to Mrs.
Blair that he had been mistaken pre-
viously when he said that he had never
suSpe ctcd his wife. At Attorney Nc
Intyre's request the rest of the letter
was read. Parts of it were:
Il do not mind Mary drinking glass
of port wine before meals to build her
up but in Paris she took to excess
drinking two or three glasses. She got
to like it too much.
she took to smoking cigarettes.
This was one Of Mary's promises be-
fore we We're marriCd--not 10 smoke
she now goes through my clothes,
my pockets and my so"retary's desk,
trying to see what sh" can find. All
am saying can prove in court. | wish
you would come and keep her straight
I cannot have such a woman li:inS in
my house"