Telegram-herald., 1891-09-23
LAID BARI THEIR PLOT
1T Tue INSTANCE OF HER HUSBAND
WIN Desired 60 Procure psvsree~-ess-
sstteasi Testimony Ia the ptssfe<
Case Hrssxht Against the uahsppy
Wife OF the Aged sshesnss.

~ VIII 10 tFtttAtt'-S@ etf~% - -"
hearing on ths application of Henry
vanNoorhis for divorce from hs wtte,
Helen vanvoorhis, last May. rnsA-
ton Was created by Mrs. Vanvoorh's.
who suddenly became insane. The
plaintiff tiled bill for divorce alleging
extreme cruelty aud bad temper. The
defendant filed cross bill charging all.
treatment on his part and asking that
the divorce be granted TO her instead Of
to him. A replication was fled settlng
forth that Mrs. VanVoorhis had been
false TO her marriage VOWS; that quef-
tionable relations had existed besween
her and certain young men, and that
criminal intemacy had occurred IA. the
stairway of a South Division st. block.
The defendant put III claim for
alimony. To place herin an unfayor-
able hight before the court witnesses
were introduced whose testimony was
OF such character that the lady's mind
became unbalanced. She WAS adjudged
insane 10y the probate court and sent TO
| the Kalamazoo Insane Asylum, from
which institution she was recently
liberated.
Appearance of the PARTIES
Mr.. Van Voorhis Is an old man,
abouut 20 years of age, wrinkled face,
snow white hair, tanned complexion
and expre ressonless face. He wears a
turn-down collar, no necktie and has a
habit of twiriing his thumbs. He is
said to be wealthy and alleged to be
pesslmist.
Mrs. Helen Van Voorhis is a young
lady of graceful carriage, the expression
of her face Indicates Il loving disposi-
ton. she dresses entirely IN black, Z az
ries q fan in one hand. u parasul IN the
other, a neat bonnet adorns her head,
and as whole Is passably fair appeas-
| ing woman. 1t is case of being an
''old mans darling" without the real
;zation of the meaning of the phrase.
The old man made up his mind to sep
arate from his wife as she did notslay-
| ish the amount of affection and alten-
| ton upon him which he considered due
| from his wife. Consequently, 1t Is
| claimed that deep laid schemes were
concocted whereby Mrs. Van Voofhes
could he caught in q compromising sit
uation.
Statement of the Defense.
| When the case was called F. F. Me-
Garry, in behalf of the defendant, Of
| fered motion in which lac SAID that
| the entire base of the case On the part
of the complainant had been Changed
since the SUIT first commenced. The
| almost fatal mental disturbance which
had resulted to the defendant in con-
| sequence of the character of the Hyl-
dence introduced by the complainant
! to substantiate the charges made in the
supplemental bill, and the subsequent
| incarceration of the defendant in the
asvium, had uccasloned the suspension
Of the trial from the last day of hear
! ing until the present time. Her reason
! had only been recently restored. Owing
| to this unavoidable state of affairs the
counsel had been unable to consult
| with their client until tw, days ago.
The limited time at their disposal had
not given them an opportunity 10 pre-
pare as thoroughly as they de-
sired, the defense which shall be
interposed to the charges made.
"These things, together with the
belief. which we expect to be able to
prove, that this change of front on the
| part of the complainant. the formula
ton of the charges IN the supplemented
bill, and the testimony offered tending
| to support them, was the result of a
conspiracy on the part of the complain
| ant and some wretches who made
merchandise of their oaths. under a
contract with Van Voorhis, that perjury
should he exchanged for cash, thus
| constituting one OF the most aggravated
cases of cruelty ever perpctrated by a
powerful and wealthy man upon poor,
weak woman, who was unfortunate
| enough to be his wife. frlendiess
stranger in the city. In view of this
condition of affairs we shall ask perms-
SION OF the court TO tile supplemental
bill, setting forth in detail Tie facts j
| have briefly sketched, l ask the affirm
alive relief winch the rules of this court
| authorize IN granting decree in favor
| of the defendant by your honor" The
motion was allowed by the court.
Her Good Character.
The first witness put ON the stand yes
terday afternoon was Mrs. Mulnlx,
mother of the defendant. who testified
| to the good behavior of her daughter,
her chastity, and explained the rels-
tons existing between her daughter and
| Pulford, with whom she was accused OF
being intimate by Van Works.. She
said that the gentleman in question Was
| yuung man from Carson City. the
former residence of the defendant, and
WAS regarded rs boy aud a brother.
There was nothing transpIred of more
| serious nature TO her knowledge. Inc
| next witness called created a sensation,
| with Mr.Van Voorhs at least. HIS HANDS
tfembled perceptIbly aud he toyed
nervousIy with packet of papers IN
front of him. He recognized female
detective formerly In his employ
who had turned against him. The one
referred 10 proved to he Mrs. May
Blair, of Sand Lake, formerly or TINS
city. Mrs. Blair was dressed IN the
height of fashion. sae said that an old
acquaintance of hers, Frank Burcn,
had stopped her m tie street one uay
when she lived here and asked her DOW
she would like 10 do a little deteciiVe
work on q divorce case. she askeu
him If there was anything IN u iuf nef
and he said she could name bei own
price IL she accomplished the uesitea
object. She advised Burch 10 caii =.
her home when her husband Was ~ anu
see what he thought about ~ " Ne
consented she Was willing. An ap.
pointment was made anu bureh cs'i,a
at her home. The hubby ga hvs ~
iect and the next evening bnie''
| brought Van Voorhls TO her house'
rhey seh~ms 10 Easasre Her.
| II was understood that she wons'
begin the nett day. All pal their ne
| taeetFer aud perfected plan ~he'se}
Ms Van Voorhis would be snusPiFss
Tie scheme as decided upon vas 'u