Norwich bulletin., 1910-05-06
CONTESTED DIVORCE CASE
 IN SUPERIOR COURT
Evidence All Completed and One Ar gument Made-Mrs. Williams Did Not Testify.

Evidence All Completed and One Ar
 gument Made-Mrs. Williams Did
 Not Testify.
 The civil superior court was occu- pied all day Thursday with the trial of the case of Burtis Williams vs. Martha A. Williams of New London, contested divorce case, in which there were but few witnesses. all of the testimony and one argument be- ing completed during the day.
 MT. Williams asks for a divorce on the grounds of adultery. while in cross complaint Mrs. Williams claims her husband committed adultery, was cruel and habitually incorporate. She wants a divorce, custody of the son, and alimony, claiming her husband is worth $6,000. The son sat with his mother during the trial with his hand on her shoulder part of the time. Dur ing the arguments Mrs. Williams seemed quite elated over some of the remarks made S<' Attorney Geary. She is a large woman and the husband a. medium sized man.
 MT. Williams in his testimony de- clared he was 49 years of age, and said that as a silk dyer he earned $2.75 a day in New London. He married Martha Griswold January 1, 1891, and they have one son, Leo Burtis Will-' jams, aged IT. On the night of Decem- Der 23, 1907, he told of being called from his sisters home to point in
 
 Martin and a man named Ireland, the former having been employed by him. They went to a house kept by wo- man named Marx. but whose name IS now Bailey. MT. Williams was admit ted and talked with the woman and she said there was no one in her house as did a man who was called. Getting a lamp they went to look and found men occupying two rooms. The door of third was locked and upon rapping a woman's voice inquired what was wanted. The Marx Womah said there was a mar wanted to get in- The woman inside was Mrs. Williams and she wanted to know who the man was, but was not informed. MT. Williams was unable to force the door and call ed for an axe. The raising Of a win dow was heard and running outside Mir Williams saw a man jump over a fence and run away. Returning to the house, the door of the room was opened, and Mrs. Williams, fully her arm. She made reply when her husband asked her what she was doing there.
 On cross examination MT. Williams said that he and his wife had not CO., habited for six years previous to De- cenber g, 1907, though they lived in the same house. Since then he has not lived there. He had told his wife he would catch her. He admitted that he drank beer, and had been drunk, but lost no time at his work. When ever he had struck his wife. it was in self defense. He claimed his wife was extravagant and up to last July had paid $5 a week to support the family. He claimed he gave his mon ey in the bank to his sister and sold his house to her for s1. He said he had been arrested for beating hls wife, but the case was nolled. He said that his son does not speak to him. MT. Williams denied visiting houses of i'll repute-
 Mir. Williams declared that his wife came home at all hours of the night, and had told him she wouldn't be boss ed by her husband. She seldom got breakfast for him and most of his meals were eaten alone. The boy. he said, hung around the house previous to his leaving.
 Sheriff Martin told of his visit to the Marx house, and said he was in the yard when light compleXioned man jumped out of the window and ran away. He at once ran into the house and saw Mrs. Williams come out of the room. She was illustrated but fully clothed. The sheriff had hired others to help him get evidence against
 Mrs. Elizabeth J. Bailey testified to keeping the house and said that she let a lightS complexioned man or good size into the house, but did not did not let her in. MT. Bailey testified similarly This completed the testi- nnOny for the plaintiff.
 In defense, the deposition of George Ball. aged 23, of Boston, was read, showing that on certain even ing he met MT. Williams in a house of bad repute in New London He Is a cousin of Mrs. Williams. He told Mrs. Williams when he went home. and when MT. Williams came home there was trouble. Ball denied steal ing a ring from his uncle, but said his aunt gave it to him. He admitted he had been in New London jail and said he had been to reform school. Ball denied making up a story about his uncle
 Policeman F. A. Manchester told of arresting MT. Williams one night, but he was allowed to go as Mrs. Williams withdrew her charge. She was excit- ed, but MT. Williams was cool at the time. Policeman White of New Lon don told of being called to the Will 1iams house in 1906, when Mrs. Will Hams said she had been beaten MT: Williams denied it. MT. Williams had been drinking and he had seen him in that condition before. MT. Williams complained because his wife wouldn't wash his cloths. He said MT. Will Hams is a peaceable man. The room didn't look we'll kept and the bed was not made up. He would not say that Mrs. Williams drank.
 John A. Griswold, Mrs. Williams brother, told of talking with MT. Will liams about the divorce case and also to coming to this city with him. MT. Williams insisted on going to a house of i'll fame. He went with him. but stayed only a short time, but MT. Will liams wouldn't come away. He went to call on the Ryan brothers here. He told of seeing MT. Williams under the influence of liquor.
 He has known the plaintiff thirty years, and he had been asked by him ahont els<inE . loathsoune disease. He