Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1889-11-24
WE'ES CRIMES.
4 SCANDAL SHAKING CANADA.
Shocking Charges Against a Society
Woman
WHO HOBNOBBED WITH ROYALTY.
Horrible Revelations of a Toronto Divorce
Case.

TORONTO, ONT, November 23.-One of
the most horrible cases of domestic infelic-
ity in the annals Of the Canadian law
came up for trial this week in the Court
of Chancery in this city. J. K. Kerr, Q
O., acted as counsel for the appellant, and
David Smart, a barrister of prominence
and high family connections, residing at
Port Hope, Ont., and Hon. S. II. Blake,
O. c., appeared as counsel for the respond
ent, Mrs. Emile Arde!ia A. Smart, wife
of the plaintiff and daughter of the late
millionaire Distiller Worts, of GOoderham
& Worts. The two were married in June,
1874, and there have been born of the
marriage three children-Issbel Beatrice
Smart, aged nine years; Lillian Constance
Smart, aged twelve, and David Worts
Smart, a lad of fifteen years.
TROUBLE BEGINS.
Until July, 1888, Mr.. and Mrs. Smart
lived in harmony at Port Hope, go far as
the outside world knew, and moved upon
the very upper crust Of Canadian society.
At that tins her husband alleges his wife
left him without cause aud came to this
city, where she continued to reside until
May, 1884. Between July, 1888, and May,
1884, friends and relatives of the parties
made every effort to effect reconciliation,
the wife meanwhile refusing to return to
her husband and charging him with gross
immortality and drunkenness. She finally
consented to return, providing that he
kept straight, and in the event of his
again breaking out that the children
should be given into her custody.
After the agreement was signed the hus-
band alleges that they lived peaceably to-
gether until September, 1885, at which
date the family were all in the State of
California on trip for the benefit of the
wife's health. There again, it is alleged,
the wife left him, and with the children re-
moved to this city. Again, in November,
1885, an agreement was entered into where
by the wife was TO have the custody Of the
children, allowing the husband to see
them once week, and that husband and
wife were to live apart.
FRIGHTFUL CHARGES MADE.
Up to this time not word had been said
against the character of the wife nor against
the husband, except that he vas fond of
his liquor. On Wednesday last, however,
suit was begun by the husband to gain
control oflthe children, and in his state
ment he set forth most horrible list Of
charges against his wife. She is sccused
of having improper relations with he own
aor aud NTH nfhar ipnpaoraIifiao
The trial has lasted six days, with
closed doors, the press of Canada being
strictly forbidden to even make a refer
ence to the case. Notwithstanding the
order of the court the facts have leaked
out, and tonight Toronto society circles
are in ferment.
To the time Of her marriage the wife
was reigning belle in this city and hob
nobbed with royalty. Upon her fathers
death he left her quarter of a million
and a life interest in the distillery Of
Goodeham & Worts, which has swelled her
bank account since to the extent of $780,
600 year.
His Lordship Mr.. Justice Ferguson in
stating that he would reserve his judg-
ment for three weeks, said to-day: This
is the most horrible case which has ever
darkened the pages of the law journals Of
any civilized court"
All the persons concerned are High
Church Of England members and well
known throughout Canada as financial
church pillars. The trial has caused a
profound sensation and is regarded as an
everlasting disgrace to Canada.