Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-01-29
PLAINTIFF SHALT
GETS EXCITED IN
HER ALIENATION SUIT

Portland, Me-, Jan. 2S.-(AP)-
Mrs. Annie r. Shalt. the defendant,
DR.. Harold NJ. Shalt, her son, and
Mrs. Alice White Shalt, his wife and
plaintiff in the $250,000 alienation of
affections suit against his mother.
were on the witness stand in supreme
court today. Chief Justice Scott
Wilson threatened to withdraw the
case from the jury if counsel con-
tinued to inject side remarks.
A thrill of excitement was pre-
cipitated when Joseph E. f. Con-
molly. counsel for the defendant.
suddenly asked the young plaintiff,
whom he had Just recalled to the
stand, whether she was keeping
company with a man.
In an indignant tone, she replied:
I'm still married woman" Then,
while the attorney was framing his
next query, she added: IF you are
trying to offend me, why go right
ahead" do you intend to get a
diyorce?" was his next question.
Leaping to her feet, Mrs. Shalt,
advancing toward him, cried out:
How dare you, Mr.. Connolly 2"
Whirling toward Chief Justice Will
son. she asked: What right has he
got to question me like that?" In
another moment her indignation
gave way to tears, and she dropped
into her chair. sobbing loudly.
Attorney Connolly offered in evil
dence a letter, addressed to Bos-
ton attorney, who was then acting
as counsel for DR.. Shalt, suggesting
that Mrs. Shalt was willing to seek
divorce on payment to her of $50, =
QUO. The letter was signed by Jo-
seph Bearak, then counsel for the
plaintiff, and dated January =, 1924,
shortly after the young couple sep
arated here after six months of mar
ried life.
Mrs. Annie Shalt testified she was
03. the mother of two sons. and had
been widow since 1915. She de-
MED she ever had taken any actions
of julius Langsdorf of st. Louis to
indicate courtship toward her. and
said she never had contemplated
marriage with him or any other man
since her husbands death.
She was aware that If she married
again 1t would mean the loss of two
thirds of her husbands estate, which
would go TO her sons in that event.
DIR. Shalt testified that he had been
arrested five times at the instigation
of his wife, and had been compelled
/ TO su1trke her weekly payments most Of
the time since their separation.
Defendant on Stand
Portladn, Me-, Jan. 2S-(AP)-Mrs.
Annie r. Shalt, defendant in the
s25O,OO0 alienation of affections suit
brought by her daughter-i law, still
is willing to aid a reconciliation be-
tween her son, DIR. Harold NJ. Shalt.
and his wife, Alice White Shalt of
Brookline, Mass, she testified In the
supreme court this afternoon.
IF Harold and his wife now made
peace. started life together with their
year and a half old son, would you
continue or discontinue giving your
son his allowance of $50 a week ?" she
was asked.
Il would continue" she said, and
she reiterated her contention that she
never desired the separation of the
couple. and always did her utmost to
insure their happiness during the less
than six months they lived together.
Il was delighted with Alice. and
favored the marriage" she declared.
She said she bought the girl a $3.50
engagement ring. paid the exl ,nses of
the honeymoon to Atlantic City and
placed an S85 apartment at the dis
posal Of the couple on their return.
She furnished it, she testified. with IA
oriental rugs, one costing $1,000. being
referred to by Alice as "a faded Id
rag"
The testimony of Mrs Shalt was
i concluded late today. All evidence IS
expected to be in by noon tomorrow.