Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-19
A TRAP FOR HIS WIFE.
Alex. Hanken Allows His Better Half
to Spend Three Weeks
AT CONEY ISLAND WITHOUT HIM.
She Takes an Old Friends Name, With Her
Husbands Sanction, and
HE SUES FOR ABSOLUTE DIVORCE

The suit of Alexander Henken against
Emma F. Henken for absolute divorce was
on trial yesterday before Judge Osborne in
the City Court in Brooklyn. Mrs Henken is
sister of Emil Haberkorn, the leader of the
Duquesne Theater Orchestra. There was no
defence entered in the case. Mrs. Henken is
now living with her brother in this city.
When seen last night by DISPATCH re-
porter she said she was prepared to suffer
any aspersions that might be cast on her
good name if the proceedings in court would
only free her from her husband.
She said that he was guilty of conduct
which made it impossible for her to live
any longer with him, and that when the
papers in divorce were served upon her she
accepted them on the understanding that no
publication of the proceedings would be
made. Though grave charges are made
against Mrs. Henken, that lady entered no
defense, though, as she stated last night,
she could have easily disproved the allega-
tions of unfaithfulness set forth in the case.
STORY OF THE HUSBAND.
The testimony presented in court yester-
day by the husband, went to show that his
wife and Edward Parker, singer, had
lived together at the Sea Beach Pavilion
hotel, Coney Island, for three weeks in July,
last. The plaintiff testified that he went to
New Jersey in July, but his wife did not ac-
company him, preferring to go to Coney
Island.
He went unexpectedly to Coney Island on
July %, and found her living with Parker.
whose real name is Pakulski. Parker and
the defendant had registered at the hotel as
a,,h l. 10 ho1 L Dp1- f<N,-
three years, but was not aware of any pre-
vious intimacy between him and his wife.
Judge Osborne reserved his decision, but
the decree will probably be granted. Such
is the substance of a special telegram to The
DISPATCH last night.
Mrs. Henken related her side of the story
very fully to DISPATCH reporter last night
in the presence of her brother, Emil Haber-
korn.
"NIy reason for not contesting the suit
she said, twas because l was anxious to free
to make a, scandal by placing obstacles
in the way of a decree. When l re-
ceived the papers from Mr.. Henken's
lawyer, that gentleman promised me faith
would occur. With that promise was con-
tent to allow the suit to be decided without
entering defense. had but the one view
in mind-that was that the divorce would
be granted since did not appear"
THE wIFE's MISTAKEN IDEA.
Mrs. Henken seemed to be totally unaware
of the false position she would place herself
in by not meeting her husbands charges.
During the conversation she appeared to
have viewed the proceedings as rather to
her advantage, since she would be divorced
without trouble to herself.
II repeatedly urged on my sister," said
Mr.. Haberkorn, "the necessity for clearing
herself of those charges, but she remained
satisfied of the result without considering
the construction that might be placed upon
her silence. The only mistake she made at
Coney Island was in allowing herself to use
Parker's name, but even that she did with
her husbands knowledge and consent Even
a letter addressed to my sister at her hus-
bands house in Brooklyn was opened by
him, and by him re-directed to her, ad-
dressed to Mrs. Edward Parker" This
letter Mr.. Haberkorn exhibited to the re-
porter.
Mrs Henken explained why she took
Parker's name at Coney Island and why she
went there. She said she went to Coney
Island because it was near town and two of
her friends. a Mr.. and Mrs. Reeves were
staying there.
MRS. HENKEN'S OWN STORY.
al went away at first for a week, - said Mrs.
Henlen, ''and on returning at the end of
that time, my husband asked me why re-
turned so soon: that might have remained
longer. 1 returned and stayed at
Coney Island in all about three
weeks. Mr.. Parker was there. and
people would remark it as odd
that he should escort another mans wife to i
table, ETC., thought it would be good plan
to call myself Mrs. Parker, and did simply
to avoid talk. Mr.and Mrs. Reeves Mr. Parker
and l dined at the same table every day. |
Our actions were open as the day, and there |
is not the least ground for the charges
named in the suit"
"Mr Parker and have been friends for |
the last three years, and he has been an ex- |
ceptionally warm friend of Mr.. Henken. He |
oft r. ind to lota
mother, who regarded him as she would her |
son. He, am told, is very much worried |
about this suit, since he knows how abso- |
Iutely groundleSS are the allegations made |
Had I wished 1 could have produced evil |
dence in plenty in denial of them. I wish |
now had not taken Mr.. Parker's name, as l |
see it was mistake, but l told my husband |
[ was doing so and he said it was all right. |
he made no objection to it, and even joked |
about it. |
HER HUSBAND KNEW ALL.
"Since my husband knew what was do |
ing, l did not see there could be harm in it. |
He allowed me to remain at Coney Island |
three weeks, and did not call on me during |
that time. We have been married 81 years, |
and the first intimation my husband gave |
me of anN doubt regarding me, was when l |
received the papers in divorce. But, as 1 |
have said, his conduct had become SO |
abominable, that was as ready fora divorce |
as he was. Since l returned from Coney |
lSlanQ, learned tnaG he naQ SAID MS ac- |
luiesance in my going to Coney Island |
alone, and in taking Mr.. Parker's name, was |
a trap in which to catch me, and now be- |
Iieve it."
Mrs. Henken is about 25 years of age and |
Of very prepossessing appearance. She re- |
lated her story in an exceedingly modest |
and with an air which carried with |
it a conviction of her innocence of any |
wrong doing. Mr.. Haberkorn told repor- |
ter that, if his sister had entered a defense, |
such details of Henken's conduct would |
have been aired as would have been better |
eft undisturbed. Pity for her husband had |
little to do with his wifes silence. The |
,nunle have no familu