New-York tribune., 1911-09-17
MRS. MIDDLETON SUES
Charges ce-President of Lehigh
Valley R. R. with Cruelty.
PUT HER IN INSANE ASYLUM
Plaintiff Says Husband Took
This Step When She Was
in III Health.

Allegations % unusual cruelty are made
against John A. Middleton. first vice-presi-
dent or the Lehigh Valley Railroad Conn
pany by his wife. Mrs lily Seel Middleton
In a suit for separation which she flied yes
terday.
Mrs. Middleton also alleges that her hus-
band failed TO provide properly for her and
their three children. and that while he lived
In luxury at the Waldorf Astoria on his
income of $4,000 year he compelled her
10 live in small apartment Mrs Middle
ton charges. too that Middleton once caused
her to be placed in an insane asylum His
many years of cruel conduct toward her,
the wife says. have affected her health
Mrs Middleton also has brought suit to
set aside separation agreement by the
terms of which she was compelled TO relin-
quish her right in his estate and agree to
have the custody OF her children only
small part of the year. The plaintiff says
she signed this agreement while she was i'll
and never knew the purport of the paper.
The marital troubles Of the litIgants have
been publicly aired before this. and as re-
Gently as Il month ago Mrs. Middleton has
| tened from her summer home at Watch
| Hill. r. l.. TO consult counsel. as she feared
| that Middleton would make an effort to
take her children from her under the sep
aration agreement.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Middleton had been
married before when they became husband
and wife. sixteen years ago. He has "A
| daughter, Mrs George Holmes. by his first
/ marriage and Mrs Middleton has a son.
| Mrs. Mddleton's first husband was the late
/ Lieutenant Molyneux See OF the British
| Royal Artillery.
Twice says Mrs. Middleton. her hus-
bands brutality compelled her to break M
their home and 20 with her children to
| live at the homo Of Mrs. Holmes, his
daughter. She was not on friendly terms
with her step-daughter, and this action by
Middleton was taken, Mrs Middleton says,
| to cause her suffering
Further allegations made by the plain
tin arc that under cruel circumstances he
refused to permi, her son to live with
them, but compelled him to take board
| with strangers. lie also cut off her credit.
she maintains. and withheld from her rail-
road passes which she had received from
officials Of several roads.
| Her confinement i'm an insane asylum,
Mrs. Middleton said took place In Decem-
/ Der. 1910 when she was III and needed
medical attention. Instead Of allowing her
that Middleton had her placed In an asy-
/ lun at Litchheld, Conn. She got into conf
munication with her daughter and instruct
ed her TO tell Middleton that unless he had
| her released she would expose him How
ever, il not until several weeks later
! that she was freed Middleton next refused
! TO permit his wife TO return TO their home
at Larchmont and she was compelled TO
| take small apartment at No. IL East Goth
street. Since June last ne has refused TO
support her properly. she says, and since
August / has refused 10 contribute any
thing toward her support.
Under the conditions Of tho separation
agreement. which Mrs Middleton wishes TO
set aside. she was to have the custody OF
her children. the oldest of whom Is girl
OF fourteen years, only about two months
In the year. She was 20 receive 500 a
year and $50 a week for each II tho chill
dren while they were with her At the
death Of her husband she was 10 receive
the income on insurance policies aggregbt-
ing $4,000. but was 10 have no other share
I'm his estate Mrs Middleton alleged that
ne represcnted his income as only $1,000 a
wear whereas she placed n al $1,000