The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-27
WIFE OF SURGEON
SAYSSPECULATION
BROKE UP HOME
Experiences in Wall Street Re-
lated by Woman Who
Failed to Win.
BROKERS SUE HER FOR
LOSSES IN STOCK DEALS

Mrs Sarah Robertson. wife Of Dr.
Joseph A. Robertson. visiting surgeon at
the Polytechnic Hospital. told Supreme
Court Justice Donnclly and n Jury yes
terday that ehe was induced by members
Of the Stock Exchange firm Of n. Con-
tent 4 Co. TO continue specializing In
the stock market after she had sustained
large losses and her husband had told
her that IL was unbecoming for a woman
20 gamble In Wall Street and that II
she intended to continue she would have
to leave his home and take an apartment
by herself. Mrs. Robertson took her
husband At his word. and for several
days she lived at various hotels under
a6 assumed name while she was trying
10 get ahead of the market
Mrs. Robertson is defendant in a suit
brought by the brokers to recover ss3,-
6o4 alleged to be due them on an ac-
count started on December I, 1911.
amounting to s67,o37. and on a subse-
quent short sale Of $500 shares OF Union
Pacific. In her answer Mrs. Robertson
denied that she owed the brokers any
thing because they promised to carry
her account for her until II showed a
nrofit. She has n counter claim for $751;
ESQ. which represents money paid to the
brokers and the value Of securities de-
posted as collateral which the brokers
have refused to return.
Inherited Large sum.
Mrs Robertson inherited large sum
ot money from her first husband. Charles
Miller. an Ohio business man. and mar
rled Dr. Robertson after his first wife,
who was the daughter OF DR.. A. T.
Jones Of Birmingham. Ala. had divorced
him In 1907.
Mrs. Robertson testified yesterday that
IN the summer OF 1870 when she was
trading with the Stock Exchange Arm OF
T. r. williston & Co.. William b. An
dersor, who was associated with the
Arm and whom she referred to as
Billy" told her he was going with Con-
tent 4 Co. and asked her to transfer
her account TO that Arm.
billy told me that they were all
GOOD fellows and would give me 2 per
cent. interest on short sales" said Mrs.
Robertson. Finally I gave them an
order through Billy's pleading. Then
they tried in every way to get my ac-
count.
II first met the members OF the firm at
. luncheon they gave at their branch
office at West End. y. J.. where We had
y summer home. in September. 1912.
60 no
this and other occasions. | enjoyed
many trips and fine entertainments. and
they sent presents both to myself and
Or. Robertson.
II telephoned Billy and Harry (Con-
tcnD at their West End office in August.
1913. that I wanted to close my account
because my home life was unhappy. I
said that the doctor didn't want me to
speculate. Billy objected. and said that
7 had better lie. the account stand. They
sent me a statement on August 10 that
! thought would be for my last transac-
tons, but Harry called on me and said
he didn't want me TO stop. because
would make a lot OF money.
Wanted to Close Account.
= told Harry again few DAYS
later to please close my account and
he said II | would give him a check for
$4,000 and some securities h. would
carry my account until it showed a
handsome profit, asked him how much
he meant, and he said $4,000 or s75.-
GOO. ! asked II he would give me "A
written agreement 70 that effect and he
said a verbal agreement between us was
as good as one drawn by a lawyer lie
told mo ! could trade in 1000 shares
a month. My sister told Harry he had
no business trying to induce me to keep
on specializing when my husband oh
jccted, but I gave him the $4,000 check
he wanted and he left"
Mrs. Robertson testified that she was
one OF the guests at the uptown office
OF the Content firm on election night.
1913. and that members OF the firm told
her that II she and her husband would
Join party and go to Panama Il
wouldn't cost them cent and her ac-
count would be watched in her absence.
A. this tunCture she said her husband
told her she would have to leave him
ana take separate apartment II she
Intended 70 continue specializing, SO she
eft him. Finally she left the city, in
tending to go back to her former home
In Ohio and had got as far as Phila-
dephia when the suit was brought by
Content Co. against her, and her
property was attached on the ground
that she had left the State TO avoid
her creditors.
The case will go on to-day