Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-04-14
SUPERIOR COURT
Defense Open e d in
Alienation Suit
OF Richard Scott of Fsyette Against
Ashman L. Laid of Mt. Vernon at
Tuesday Afternoon Session Case
Viii Be Resumed This Morning

Will Be Resumed This Morning
The defense was opened Tuesday
afternoon at the superior court in The
$4,000 alienation suit brought by
Richard Scott of Fayette against
Ash1nan L. Ladd of Mt. Vernon, and
some interesting testimony has been
brought out by both sides. Letters
that passed between Mr.. Scott and
his wife We're read by the attorneys
and gave considerable insight into
the case.
Mrs. Scott, wife Of the plaintiff,
was on the witness stand yesterday
afternoon and testified to the trou-
bles that arose between her husband
and her, stating that the trouble had
nothing to do with Mr.. Ladd, but
was the the result of her being OBJ
liged to live with her husbands pa
rents at the Echo Lake Camps al
Fayette. Another witness Of the aft
ernoon was Mrs. Ashman L. La1d Of
/ Mt. Vernon, wife Of the defendant
in the action, who is not now living
with her husband and who told q the
troubles that came up between her
husband and her.
The testimony of the defense Will
be continued at the opening Of to-
days session of the court.
There has been a large attendance
throughout the trial, the courtroom
being crowded with people from Fay
cite. Readfield and Mt. Vernon.
The alienation suit brought BY
Richard Scott Of FayeIte agaipst
Maurice Childs and his wife, Alice
Childs. of Mt. Vernon. uncle ana
aunt Of Mrs. Scott, was non-suit3l 5y
the plaintiff at Mondays session OF
the court
Tuesday morning.
The plaintiff in action, Richard Fl,
Scott Of Fayette. resumed his test :
mony IN cross examination at the
opening Of <<rhe morning session.
Questioned ny Attorney McGillicuddy
of Lewiston, Mr.. Scott stated that az
ter their marriage he and Mrs. Scott
went to live with his father and
mother They paid So or sl4 per
week for their board and he gener-
ally paid it. One week his wife had
paid the board and upon another oc-
casion had advanced $50 or $40 to
him. but he had offered to reimburse
her.
DO you know that your mother
took 81 per week from your wife I'M
til she took all the money your wife
had? asked Attorney McGillicuddy.
81 don't know of any such arrange
ment," replied MIR. Scott.
Plaintiff testified that he got be-
hind stone walls to watch his wife
from July 1919 until last fall, anc
afterwards hired a man to watch her.
paving him about S29. He said tina,
on Nov. % he had made UP his minc
that she was not faithful to him. ct
two days later he had written her a
letter from Arlington, Mass. stating
that NE ought to know she was the
| Dbest little moral girl that ever
| lived" Plaintiff testified that he
meant that and believed il to be true
Later he had made up lis mind tc
| bring the alienation suit, and the frs'
| was for $4,000 against the uncle and
aunt of the girl, Mr.. and Mrs. Childs
He afterwards sued Lada for $4,000
plaintiff testified he did not know
the suit against Childs was non
suited by counsel at the Monday
] co1,Y-t Plaintiff testified that he ad-
| vertised in the Maine papers that he
would nav no more bills contracted
| by his wife.
His investigation of Mrs. SCOTS
| pertland trip, plaintiff testified to
and he stated that he found that
I,aad was off his f. F. D. route that
day.
.sDo Won know that Ladd was OF
his route the whole~week before that
taking his annual vacation" asked
Attorney McGillicuddy.
He probably was" replied Mr..
Scott.
Referring to the letter he wrote
Tune 1s. 1919, in which lie wrote y
do not uphold the folks in this maj
ter" MIR. Scott testified that he then
halieved in his wife, and though his
folks believed her guilty. he die not
believe it.
] wanted to give my VINE Inc
pereft ef the doubt" said Mr.. Scott
Mr.. Scott testified that he knew
,o,binc about his wife paying 81 per
week to his parents for her board,
About the suits. Mr.. Scott testified
he thought ''non-suit" was a giving
an If a suit, but he did not know
uybether temporarily or permanently.
Concerning the photographs. he sAo
he ala not know where they came
from.
The second witness in the case was
NJ. annie Butler Of Mt. Vernon, the
eva namotter Of Mrs. Scott. Evelyn
S,nns fScott) had been brought up
:. nsr bome. She testified that Mr..
Iadd would stop and talk with MIS-
Srott while he was delivering man.
and witness had asked I1add to put
tbe mail In the box and not drive
INTO the door yard: She testified that
r. had also spoken TO Mrs Scott