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WI DO W'S STRATAGEM.

WRITES TO INFORM HER HUSBAND SHE IS DEAD.

A JiKM.utKAiii.K story, not, devoid of a spice of comedy, was told to the Newport county magistrates in the case in which Mary Ami Powell. 63, Silver-street, Pontywain, applied for a separation order against her husband, Samuel Powell, 52, on the ground of his desertion. Mr. Cooper, for the wife, Mid they were married at Myuyddislwyn Church in June, 1881. Defendant was not previously married, hut complainant was an "Abercam widow" with three children. and in receipt of 7s a week from the Explosion Fund. He lived with her for some time, and in 1887 he went to America and never sent, her a penny to maintain herself. In the following year she managed to get his address, and with the three children went after him to .America. Here they again lived together for a time, but be again deserted her, and the. wile and children returned to Wales. Up to 1893 he never sent her a penny, and wrote home that he never would return to Wales. In 1893 his wife learnt that he was at the Albany County Penitentiary for an assault in the third degree. The wife wrote to him in the name of Mr. GwymTe informing him that his wife was dead—(laughter)—and there was some dispute a* to dividing the £50 insurance money which was due at her death. Defendant replied to .Mr. Owyiuie. whom he described as "Dear Friend," and that he could not come back for some months. "Mr. Gwynuc" again wrote that the insurance people would not pay over the money unless he appeared in person. This brought him home to Wales, and complainant's son met him at Newport and told him that his wife was alive, and not dead. Defendant gave way to tears on hearing this. He went home and

THERE WAS AN AFFECTING SCENE, defendant telling her that be preferred seeiug her alive to all the money in the world. They lived together for some time, 'but he again'gave way" to drink and abused her. He had now deserted her altogether. Defendant worked as a collier at Abercam and earned 35s a week. Mrs. Powell confirmed her advocate's story, and added that her husband lodged with her for three years bcfoie she married him. but that he soon left her desolate. In February, 1903. she wrote him the following letter:—"Mr. Samuel Powell. Sir.—l am taking the great liberty of writing these few lines to you, asking it you are aware that a certain Mrs. Powell is dead and left about £50 insurance money, and a small banking account, and that "ther» is a dispute among the children. As by chance I entered the house, and amongst" some rubbish I picked up this address, I am sending you as a friend, hoping that if it reaches you, you will answer by return. If there is anything I can do for' you. 1 will gladly help you. So I remain a friend at present.—Mr. Gwynxj".'' To this he replied : —" Dear Friend.—l take much pleasure in writing these few lines to you. I was sorry to hear of my wife's death, as the news was hard for me. as 1 was in hard' luck myself at the time —(laughter)—or I should have been in England before flow. I will not trouble to come now before October 1. as it will take me some time to get the money together. . . . If you get the money let me know and 1 will pay you for your trouble when I come to England. Please, tell those people not to pay out any money until I come. Kind love ro you all.—Yours turly. Samckl Puwki.i.." To this she again wrote in the name of Mr. Gwynne. saying that defendant must come personally to secure the money. Mrs. Powell also gave details of the scene when her husband returned to the house, and how he said that he would rather see her alive than all the money in the London banks. (Laughter.) The tears were coming from his eyes, siie added, but after this he again took to drink, and threatened to kill her, and she said she would drown herself. He was now lodging with her eldest son's wife. After George Allen and Nora E. Wilkes had given evidence for the wife, defendant denied the desertion, and said his wife gave him the pass to go to America. Later he sent for her and the children, but when he was looking for work out there she sold up the home and returned to this countrv. leaving him "stranded" in Pennsylvania. The Bench granted the separation order, with 10s a week maintenance and costs.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19050506.2.78.11

Bibliographic details

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12859, 6 May 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

Word Count
788

WIDOW'S STRATAGEM. New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12859, 6 May 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

WIDOW'S STRATAGEM. New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12859, 6 May 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

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