KinSource - Tale of the Week - A Female Mock Jury

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The Minneapolis Journal, January 8, 1891, p. 6

A FEMALE MOCK JURY.

It Listens to Mrs. Rowley's Recital of Her Wrongs.

"GUESS I'LL CUT THROATS," SAID HE.

Progress of the Rowley Divorce Case -- A Court Room Filled with Feminine Witnesses.

Judge Smith's court room presented a novel scene this morning. On the stand was Mrs. Alice Rowley, undergoing cross examination in her divorce case against her husband, Fred A. Rowley. Mr. Rowley sat close behind his lawyer directing the fire of questions. The husband is a young looking man and of fair appearance. In fact he looked younger than his wife, a well-dressed, strong-looking woman, who replied to the questions of her husband's lawyers with a sort of deliberate promptness. But what was unique was what appeared to be a female jury sitting, opposite the judge, grave and silent paying the strictest attention to the words of the witness, a double row of the gentler sex. The dozen women in this mock jury box, however, formed but a small part of the women present. The chairs in the room excepting those held down by the lawyers and judge, were occupied by women, old and young - all Mrs. Rowley's witnesses. About the door was a large gathering of men.

Mrs. Rowley's story was much the same as that of many a woman who had preceeded her in court. Cruelty to herself and her children - two bright boys were in court with her - drunkenness, neglect and failure to support. She gave many instances of these, and told in particular of his threatening to cut their throats and his own with a razor.

"What did he say in that razor affair," asked the husband's lawyer in cross examination.

"He says 'guess I'll cut throats,'" replied Mrs. Rowley, "'and my own too.'"

"He didn't say he would cut your throat?"

"That's what he meant and I got the razor because I was afraid he might cut his own throat."

"Didn't he say that he guessed he would cut his own throat if you treated him so."

"No, he didn't."

'Guess I'll cut throats,' "rather a queer expression, isn't it?"

"Yes, rather, but he did many queer things."

After the cross-examination the plaintiff' lawyer's put Dr. F. R. Woodward and Dr. Samuel Jones on the stand to prove Mrs. Rowley's condition after the alleged acts of cruelty, and they swore to certain bruises and nervousness on the lady's part. Dr. M. P. Pomeroy, who rented the house to the Rowley's and lived next door, told of the two occasions when Rowley came home in what appeared to be a drunken condition and his wife and children were compelled to take refuge in his house for the night. The divorce trial proceeded very slowly indeed, and the judge found it necessary to occasionally prod up the lawyers.