Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-17
SUPERIOR,COURT
Contested Hearings in
Divorce Cases Knight
VS.. Knight
Judge seane Grants Libel Brought
by John Thomas Knight Against
Elizabeth e. Knight After Lengthy
Hearing on Cross LibeIs, Friday

The domestic difficulties between
John Thomas Knight and his wife.
Elizabeth E. Knight. both of Au-
gusta, were aired at length before
Judge Fred Emery Beane at Fri
days session of the Kennebec coun-
ty superior court in two libel
contested divorce suits. Mrs. Knight
petitioned for divorce on the grounds
of non-support and cruel and abus-
i've treatment and was represented
by Attorney Stephen S. Lancaster of
Augusta. Mr.. Knight asked for the
divorce on the grounds of cruel and
abusive treatment. Attorney Frank
E. Southland of the law firm of Nc
Lean, Fogg & Southland appearing as
his counsel.
A large part of the days session
was given over to the testimony in
the case. following which the cases
were argued briefly by the attorneys.
Judge Beane then made his decision
in the matter. granting the libel
brought by Mr.. Knight
The croSs-libel suits Were opened
with the testimony of Mr.. Knight,
who resides at p Greenlief street.
Augusta. He testified that he was
married June 90. 1911. at Portland.
and he related at length his marital
troubles during the time he was not
engaged actively in military service.
1t appeared from his testimony that
he had been a professional soldier
with d wide range of service, begin
ming in the Boer War, later at the
Mexican border, and during the
World War, in France. He was born
in England, but had been naturalized
since returning from France.
Mr.. knight complained that his
wife had made it unpleasant for him
at the times when lie was home,
that she wrote him abusive letters
while he was away in the service,
and that he did not get along pleas
antly with his wife's children by her
former marriage who lived with Mrs.
Knight. On the witness stand, Mr.
knight identified oneSCf the letters
he had received fronN1s wife while
he was in France, and which he
termed as abusive. and the letter
was read in evidence. He stated that
he had received other letters of the
ssame tenor from his wife.
Coming down tosfhe times when
he and Mrs. Knight were living in
Augusta, he testified to occasions
when he alleged that his wife had
nasged him and had made his life
at home unpleasant. He testified
that since the divorce libel had been
filed and he and his wife had separ-
~ 20 pounds. He stated that he
had been ordered by a physician to
go to hospital for a surgical oper-
alton upon his foot and that he
ought to go to hospital for treat
ment for lung trouble.
Upon cross examination by At
torney Lancaster Mr.. knight testi-
record. He stated that he was born
in England, is now 3S years of age
and has been in North America
since 1902. Regarding the work he
had done when he was not in the
service. he stated that he for some
time ran steamer at the cotton
mill, earning S1S per week. His
wife was also working at that time
and she also got his pay. He testi-
fed that he gave his. wife every cent
OF his pay when he was called out
for service by the Government
Didn't YOU leave Mrs. Knight and
her son destitute ?" asked Attorney
lancaster.
mo. sir" Mr.. Knight replied. He
stated further that Mrs. Knight had