The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1873-02-28 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

YORKSHIRE  FARMER.  _ In the Court for the trial of Divorce and Matrimonial Causes, on Tuesday, the Right Hon. Sir James Hannen, the Judie-Ordinary, had before him the cause of Norton v. "!Norton.—Mr. R. Searle was counsel for the petitioner, who prayed for a dissolution of her marriage on the ground of her husband's adultery and cruelty. Respondent did not appear.—Mr. Searle said that the respondent was a Yorkshire farmer, and he was married to the petitioner at Dalton Parva on the 29th of March, 1865. Soon after he took a large farm at Hoyland Nether, near Barnsley, and whilst there he treated his wife with great brutality, and she was compelled to summon him no fewer than three times before the magistrates. At last he absconded, leaving his wife and three children without any means, as he had made over all he possessed to his brother. Evidence would be given that at Hoyland Nether the respondent was guilty of acts of adultery with the servants, and that his wife suffered from a secret disorder caused by his miseendua.—The following evidence was given :—The petitioner said that her husband after the marriage had a farm at Hovland Nether, near Barnsley. She had three children, and after the birth of the first her husband commenced to illtreat her. On one occasion witness , objected to his sister taking some of the furniture I away, and on that occasion the respondent struck her on the head, and on a future occasion he repeated that conduct and set the dog at her. She bled from her mouth and nose. In January, IS6B, she was compelled to summon him for an assault and he was fined .25. After that he did not actually strike her for some time, but he treated her cruelly. After a time he endeavoured to strangle her by grasping her throat with his hand. Soon after that he kicked her on the thigh. In April, 1869, he was again before the justices for assaulting her, and was bound over to keep the peace for twelve months, but during that period her husband often struck her. In November, 1870, witness found that she was ill and spoke to her husband about it, and he said she must not mention it to anybody. It was a disease of a loathsome character, and whilst witness was suffering from it he forced her to milk the cows. In July, 1871, witness again had to summon her husband for threatening to murder her. Her husband then absconded—Martha Allott said she was in the service of the parties to the suit. The I respondent used very violent Janguage to his wife. ' Had seen him bring a pitchfork into the house and threaten to run it into her. Had seen bruises on the petitioner's face. Just before he absconded the respondent struck his wife with the tongs.—Phcebe Bailey said she was a widow, but formerly lived with her husband, near the petitioner. The respondent treated his wife very ill, and witness had seen the imprints of his fingers on Mrs. Norton's throat. Knew Emma Smith, and had seen Norton with her under a hedge. They were in an indecent position. —Joseph Woolhouse said he was a farm labourer, and formerly worked for Mr. Norton, The respondent and Steeples seemed very friendly together. Witness knew a woman named Smith, and "catched them together" when he was mowing.—Sir J. Hannen made a decree nisi for a dissolution of the marriage, and with costs.—Mr. Searle asked that the wile might have the custody of the children.— His Lordship granted the application.  The Queen will hold a levee on the 12th of March, and a drawing room on the 14th. DASTARDLY OUTRAfIE ON A