New-York tribune., 1918-09-25
But 1t Was Only After She
Had Blackened His
Eye, He Swears
Hit With Marble Egg
Assistant Manager of Wander
bilt Hotel Figures in Sem
sational Testimony

PITTSFlELD, Mass, Sept. 24.-
Charles S. Mellen, of Stockbridgc, for
mcr president Of the New York, New
Haven e. Hartford Railroad Company,
testified in Probate Court to-day that
his wife, Mrs. Katherine Mclen, struck
him twice with a marble egg when he
spoke to her about the condition of
their home and that when she at
tempted to strike him again he warded
of the blow with his open hand and
caused her nose to bleed.
Mr.. Mellen testified that his two
youngest daughters lounged about drug
stores in Stockbridgc and peddled
newspapers on the streets, which he
did not think was proper for children
whose parents had as much wealth as
his. Mr.. Mellen brought action in pro-
bate to get decree to the effect that
he is justified in living apart from Mrs.
Mellen, who he claims deserted him.
He also seeks the right to transfer his
property in this state as if he had been
an unmarried man.
Mellcn on Stand
Witnesses included Mr.. Mellen, Miss
Louise A. Bossung, Of Attorney John
W. Crm's Office, in New York, and Err
nest S. Holland. of Dayton, Ohio, who
came to identify copies which he made
with an electrical machine of nearly
thirty letters which Mrs Mellen is al
ieged TO have written to Harry Douglas
Brown, assistant manager of the Van
derbilt Hotel, in New York.
stack of about thirty Photographic
copies of letters which Mr.. Mellen re-
ceved from Mrs Brown revealing the
len. for Mr.. Brown, were presented as
evidence.
The letters read to day, which began
III 1913 and continued to the end Of
1914, are but part of the correspond
cncc which passed from Mrs. Mcllen
to Mr.. Brown. Highly sensational, pre-
senting Mrs. Mellcn's innermost feel
ing toward Mr.. Brown and her revela-
tions with regard to Mr. Mellen's per-
sonal affairs both at home and in con-
ncctlon with his duties as president Of
the New Haven Railroad. they form
the basis for Mr.. Mellen's suit
NIellen Reported Ill
After the identification Of the photo
graphic copies of the letters written bv
Mrs. Mellcn to Mr. Brown, Mr.. Mellen
was called. His attorney said, in ask
ing Tor later opening of the court to-
morrow, that his client was sutferin>,
from Parkinson's disease and was TAX
ing electric treatment to arrest the dis
ease.
Mr.. Mclen testified to his purchase
of property in Stockbridge and of his
having had an apartment at the Van
derbilt Hotel, New York. He told of
Mrs. Meller's visits to New York and
Of his protests. AS she continued to 90
70 New York he had cut off her allow
ance of $4,000 year and had had many
conversations with her regarding her
conduct. home, the actions of their
children on the street and regarding
the service at their cottage in Stock
bridge. He also protested against her
drinking.
Mrs. Mellen was seldom drunk" he
sara, put she very often carried what
the boys cal! "a load"
"Thc conduct of the children" said
Mr.. Mcllen, referring to his two little
daughters. Priscilla and Candace, who
are eleven and thirteen years old, "was
very bad. They were hanging around
the postoffice and one was peddline
newspapers in the street thought the
conduct improper for children whose
parents were situated as we were.
That Marble Egg
Mrs. Mellcn had a marble ego in her
hand and struck me with it on the
hand. On ono occasion we we're sitting
IN the living room in rocking chairs.
She struck me a blow in the left eye
which blackened the eye and made nv
nose bleed. There was scuff1e. Both
of us fell, and when got up she
grabbed Il glass ash receiver and
struck me. Then she ran after me,
accelerated her through the door. That
is, | kicked her"
:, Attorney Grim then began reading
Mrs. Melcn's letters.
Mrs. Mellen was not in court. II
was said the suit Mrs Brown had filed
against Mrs. Mellen had been taken
from the files in a New York court.
Nd wy