Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-20
SUPERIOR COURT,
Contest in Bellows Di-
vOrce Case
rearing Continued to November
Term on Libel Brought by Mrs.
flora Bellows of Winslow Against
James 5eI!ows-Septen,per Term
adjourned Monday

P"iAoi court Was adjourned n
haiiy Monday afternoon. the last day
heing taken up with the hearing Of Ill
, vorce cases by Judge Beane. At the
opening of the session the attorneys
arguments were made in the cross
Iotl suit between Harvey Oliver and
NFrtle Oliver. both of Augusta.
wh,ch was heard at the Saturday ses-
! SION Attorney r. F. Maher was
! c"hhset for Mr.. Oliver while Mrs.
: ''ver was represented by Attorney
Robert A. Cony. Judge Beane took
thc matter under consideration at tho
close of the arguments
Another contested case heard on
-"tnday was that brought by Mrs.
riora Bellows against James Bellows.
1oth OF Wmslow. Attorney ELS.
worth f. Peacock of Waterville an
peared as counsel for Mrs. Bellows
""Ae Attorney Jchn Z. Ne,scr Of An
gnSta represented Mr.. Bellows and
VIZ beiiows son in contestinc the
SUIT 1t will be remembered that Mr.
Fellows is now serving ii term at the
state prison at Thomaston, having
been found guilty at the January
'erm or the court of rape of one of
inc daughters of Mrs. Bellows by
her previous marriage.
The libel brought by Mrs. Bellows
alleged adultery. cruel and abusive
treatment, extreme cruelty and in
toxicat'on. After hearing the testi-
mony in the case Judge Bcane did
not grant the divorce He stated
mat in his mind Mrs Bellows had
condonod Mr.. Bellows relations with
her daughter. that there had been no
testimony as to cruel and abusive
treatment and only one incident Of
extreme cruelty. and that the ONLY
remaining cause alleged-intoxication
t-~had not been sufficiently proven. Til
case was continued to be heard on
the opening day of the November
term of the court az Waterville.
The libelant, Mrs. Bellows. testified
that she and Mr. Bellows were mar
RED August +. 1915. She stated
that her husband had been a drinking
man and used To drink any time he
could afford it. and she told of one
instance when her husband had kick
cd her. She said that Mr.. Bellows
is now at Thomaston serving sem
tence for rape of one of her daughters
by her former marriage.
Attorney Nelson questioned the Ii
belant closely regarding the financial
matters between Mr.. Bellows and her
self. She said that the farm had
been decided to her in April 1915: that
she is now working out for her chit
dren's support and her own Attor-
ney Nelson asked her what were her
grounds for divorce and she replied
that they were Mr.. Bellows crime of
rape and his habits of intoxication.
She stated that last January she aid
not believe her husband was guilty.
but that IL sound minded iuryrnen hal
decided he was guilty. She said tina:
from what she had learned since that
time she now believes Mr.. Bellows
was euilty;@and that after she had
heard the story regarding Bellows
she had lived with him up to the time
of his sentence.
For the personal property that
Mr.. Bellows sold 10 got $500. Mrs.
Bellows testified. Attorney Nelson
asked her if before they went to
Canada there was not a blank deed
made. ont for the farm. and Mrs
Bellows replied; Never, that she
knew Of
When did he sign the deed by
which YOU sold the farm" asked
Attorney Nelson.
In Canada, July 3. 1920" was
Mrs. Bellows reply.
The money for the sale OF the
farm was turned over to her for it
was hers said Mrs. Bellows. and she
explained that the debts had to he
paid with this money.
Regarding Mr.. Bellows conduct
with her daughter, Mrs. Bellows
stated that she had never seen any
thing With her own eyes but she was
questioned if she did not then have
knowledge of all Of the facts. Upon
redirect examination she stated that
since the trial she had learned
something concerning Bellows
Judge Beane stated that he could
not come to the conclusion but that
Mrs. Bellows knew as much then as
she does now about the affairs of
the children.
Mrs Bellows said that part of it had
been used for the debts of the trial,
and that Mr. Bellows had never
made any claim TO this money until
n short time ago. She had worked
out every day since she returned
home to save this bit Of money.
Mrs. Ward Testifies
Mrs Carrie Ward. who had also
testified at the Bellows trial last
January. stated that she had work
ed in the Bellows home. that she
had been there at times when Mr..
Bellows was GROSS and snappy; that
on one occasion when he had been
drinking Mrs Bellows showed her a
place on her leg where Mr.. Bellows
had kicked her. She said that Bel
lows got drunk whenever he could
get it. that he got intoxicated two
or three times 4 month.
"Mr. Bellows did not make any
trouble at home, did he?" asked MIR.
Nelson.
"Sometimes---hc kicked Mrs. Bel
lows once" Mrs. Ward replied.
You don't know if he kicked her,
or a horse did," was the next ques-
ton.
"I believe what she told me-" re-