The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-04-26
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT IS NEARING
END OF LONG SESSION
Directed Verdict Of "Not Guilty" in MansIaughter
Case---Britton Divorce Hearing

The mneh-talked of Britton case
was heard yesterday in Supreme
Court but was lacking many of the
features anticipated and the sensa-
tionalism which was so notable late
last fall when Mrs. Britton went on
her hunger strike at her home on the
River road, in an attempt to induce
her husband, Louis C.'Britton, to come
back to her. Mrs. Britton was not
in the court room and the case was
not contested although her attorney.
Judge Benedict Maher of Augusta
was present at the hearing. Mr..
Britton was represented by Vim. Fol
som Merrill and told of his marriage
to Bertha Cole Britton in Kansas City
five years ago this coming July 3. He
told of their journeyings in the west
ern states and of their coming 10
Skowhegan in 1919 and of purchasing
farm of Isaiah Crowell, the first of
November in that year. He sought a
divorce on the grounds of cruel and
abusive treatment, mentioning that
he had done the washing. had busted
and swept and washed floors. That
once when he was obliged to leave
the work of washing she had thrown
the clothes out of doors and that
once when he had forgotten to bring
home some candy which had been
sent to his wife that he had return
ed TO the village, walking the dis
tance of three miles to get the same,
and upon failing to do so had return
ed home only to find himself locked
out He said that she had refused
to get his meals for him, that she had
threatened to cut the tires off his
automobile, that she had chased him
with a broom, had thrown brick bats
at him and also an earthern teapot
holder. He further testified that he
had seen her throw a handful of
plates when he had gone to work for
neighbor and once before starting
for town that she had struck him
over the head with a handbag; that
she had struck at him with a stick
of wood. had started for him with a
/ butcher knife and that when he
couldn't stop TO churn one day She
! had thrown the cream out OF doors
and can of beans at his head. Mr.
Britton SAID that she had made va
! rious threats to kill him and that the
day he left the house finally was the
day she threw the cream out of doors.
| He testified that he had come to town
following that episode and that upon
| his return he found that she had
started for Boston, leaving the dishes
unwashed and the house otherwise in
disorder Mr.. Britton stated that
he had never lived with her since.
Isaiah Crowell stated that he and his
wife formerly owned the place which
the Brittons bought and that he had
! heard her say disagreeable things to
, Mr.. Britton when he had been there.
Roy Warren said that he had heard
| Mrs. Britton threaten to cut the tires
off from the automobile, had heard her
swear at her husband and that he had
gone to the Britton home when he
had heard her hollerng. Mrs. War
rem testified that she saw Mrs Brit
ton strike her husband with a hand
bag and that she knew Mrs. Britton
was cross and disagreeable. Judge
Dunn did not render his decision at
the conclusion of the hearing.
1t is likely that court may adjourn
finally today, although the case of
State VS. Henry Gay for non support
was set for trial during this forenoon.
Sentences for the CunyctS have not
yet been imposed.