St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1913-05-10
HEARD ENOUGH TO
DRIVE NE CRAZY
SAYS MERRIAM
ARMY OFFICER, ON WITNESS
STAND, LAYS BARE SORDID
STORY OF DOMESTIC
LIFE.
"AFTER SHE ATTElHTED TO
SHOOT ME BELIEVED MY
LIFE WAS IN PERIL"
RELATES OFFICER.


RELATES OFFICER.
San Francisco, May 6-Under tn
searching gaze Of his wife he charge,
with having attempted his life a
jackson Barracks nearly two year.
ago. Captain Henry C. Merriam. /,
charge OF mine planting at the Pre-
eidto and one Of the most popular Of
acers In the army. took the stanl
today In Superior Judge Graham't
court ct tho second days hearing IL
his suit for divorce and the custody
IT his child, and related the chain Of
circumstances that led him to ask re.
lief from matrimonial ties
Br0nzed and looking every inch the
omcer and gentleman, Captain Mer.
RAM halted but few times during
his dramatic recitation. Mrs. Bessie
G. Miriam, his wife, whose name has
been banded about in army circles
since the order was issued prohibit
Ing her residence in Jackson Bar
relations with Major" Clarence Muir
ply. cried bitterly during the graphic
rehersal of the sordid story of do
nestle troubles.
Wife Seized With Sobs.
Mrs. Merriam, who is making a
desperate effort to preserve her good
name and to retain the custody CT
her nine-year-old daughter, Charlotte
took q seat directly beneathe the
stand occupied by her husband. At
times her expression, as she rested
her eyes on the handsome officer, was
sympathetic and tender. Again she
seemed to be mocking him.
As her husband made point touch
ing on her character, she broke down
and wept without restraint.
Captain Merriam broke down and
cried audibly several times during his
occupancy of the witness stand.
AFTER returned from Galveston
and heard the gossip about my wife
and major Murphy was 80 bitter
II mortified that l lost interest in
my work." said Captain Merriam in
contention of the point that Mrs.
Merriam had been extremely cruel"
In her treatment of him, causing him
mental anguish.
Tells About Shooting.
After she attempted to shoot me,
[ believed my life was in peril while
We lived together. / did not know
what she would do. There was nc
course open to me but to leave her"
1.-The trouble started early II
1909" Capt. Merriam said in reply
to questions by his attorney, Walter
Linforth.
"My wife and her mother, Mrs.
Ray, and Charlotte were with me At
Fortress Monroe. One day decides
to accept an invitation to a dinner
party at the Chamberlain Hotel. Ny
wife came to me and said that she
couldn't 70. Pressed for a reason.
she refused to give one. said:
"Oh. very well. l will 60 anyway"
with this Mrs Merriam rushed
20 the door OF our bedroom and locked
it. She refused to let me leave the
house. protested and she scratched
me across the nose. at the same time
calling me q coward and worse names
s.Sneak," and Slaps Him..
'.At the same place. few days
later" resumed Captain Merriam
my wife accused me of spying on hei
and Captain Abbot, whom know
slightly. She picked a quarrel. end.
ing up by calling me . sneak ano
shaping me across the face with he;
hand.
thing happened.
shortly afterward l was ordered
to Galveston for duty on the Texas
border. had known Major MURPHY
and believed him . friend. During
my absence l received letters from
Mrs. Merriam telling of her friend
ship with Murphy. / wrote to her
telling her that when she gave din
ners or entertainments to invite him
A I was indebted to him fo- vartou:
little favors. No suspicion OF wron'
doing or improper relations between
MEM ever entered my head at thai
time. although . letter from Dr.
surgeon at the post, limited
n an.sopsration having been per-
formed"
Refers to Operation.
Hinder cross-examination by After
ney Marclay Henley, Capt. Merriam
retained his composure and stuck tc
his story. The cross-examinaticn we.
most searching and covered the en-
tire scandal from start to finish.
Letters written by Captain Me-
Ram to his wife telling her to invite |
murphy out to dinner" and q care |
from Captain Merriam to MAJOR
Murphy, saying II hear you have
been good to my wife," were sub
mitted In evidence that the caEtair /
was aware Of his wife's friendship I
With Murphy.
Captain Merriam admitted on ex-
animation that he had conversation
With DR. Halliday, post surgeon At
Jackson Barracks, in which the doc
.or informed him of the alleged i'll
,ess of Mrs. Merriam and the result.
int operation.
81 heard enough to drive G man
,razy. said Captain Merriam. Dnf
decided not to. heed the gossip:
Until | have proved that their tongue;
poke the truth"
A deposition by Lieutenant Charles
Williams, OF Fortress Monroe, was K
he effect that although he had seen
IRA. Merriam and Major Murphy to
ether many times. be he's never seen
nything improper IN their relations.
Adjournment wac taken until %
borrow morning. when CaDss.n Me-
lam will again take the stand
Lame back is usually caused b. T,
Of the muscles the !
ack. FOR which you Will find nothing
etter thar Chamberlain Liniment
or siI9 u iii idealefs.