The morning call., 1892-04-23
LIVING WITHOUT Love.
Trial of Actor Mckee Rankin's
Divorce Case Begun.
He Pleads That He Was Basely Deserted and
All His Efforts to Make Up Have Been
spurued,

line 1epostiOns from New York not hav-
Ing arrived Arthur Mckee Rankin. the
actor. being anxious to leave for Seattle and
having already lost three weeks in the city
waiting for the trial Judge CARRIER deter
mined yesterday to begin the hearing of the
divorce suit against Mrs. Elizabeth Ida
Rankin (nee True, and known in the the
atrical profession) as Kitty Blanchard.
They were married in Boston. Mass. by q
priest on December IL, 1863. and he charges
that she deserted him on July 2. 1885, Mrs.
Rankin is in New York and has determn-
edly resisted the prayer. Her answer de-
nies. the desertion and puts in issue the
question that he has been a resident of Cal
before the beginning OF the action.
CritteDden Thornton for the plaintiff
mace long st atement to prove that Rankin
mad established a home in this city in April,
1886, but since, in the pursuit OF his pro-
iession. has never been anywhere longer
than 90 days. has. lived longer for any one
period III California than elsewhere, has
never exercised political rights and claims
San francisco as his home.
j. ID. Redding for the defendant MAIN
tanned that fixed domicie for one year in
the State or 80 days In the county is ineum-
Dent, and until it is shown the court would
have no jurisdiction.
INTENTION Is AN ELEMENT.
Judge CARRIER held that intention Is an
element in the matter, and. affirming juris-
diction, Mr.. Rankin was called to the stand.
lie had hrst met his wife, said he. while
members of the stock company of George
Wood at Louisville, XIV. First appeared in
TINS city at the Alhambra in December,
lS:n, and Eext at the old California In Feb
.narS. 1885; and to August Is. 1856. kept
house aud had permanent residence in
two places In the city. He gave running
history of his theatrical career, declaring
that San Francisco had been the only place
IN IL years In which lie had ever established
home. In his own words: al have been
bird OF passage without any home or per-
manent residence, and L have lived In this
city more than any other spot"
Born In Canada and a naturaiZed citizen.
ne had never voted, but had been a captain
In the First Michigan Cavalry during the
war; Tie and his wife had lived uahappily
long before her departure and her leave
taking was with the expressed intention on
her part not TO return. He since that had
decided to her BOisblanc Island, in the Detroit
River, and she had sold it for $4,000. after
paying his Indebtedness on it of about
$1,000 Mr.. Rankin pleaded that he II ad
begged her Tor a reconciliation, and as re-
sponseS thereto letters OF Mrs. Rankin
were offered In evidence.
TENDER BUT DIGNIFIED.
They. were beautiful. tender and digni-
ied epistles, into which she had eloquently
poured all the woes Of her heart.
One of November IL. 1888, addressed
Arthur" and signed "Kit.ie," declared
that she had ''schooled herself to live with
out his love-; their coming together ever
again is out of the question; they had
lived together II years to ascertain that
they we're unsuited 10 each other" and
TWO years separation had been enough to
wipe out all love" She chded him, but
admitted that she could recall many kind
acts OF his, and the memory Of these made
her inexpressibly sad.
Another from New York Of November II.
1857, ITO my husband" was also an argu-
ment against their ever coming together
again. As the other, its tenor was digni-
ned, but revealed that the writer was nlled
with bitterness against her husband, affec-
ton for her children and sorrow for the
disruption of the home ties at q time, as she
expressed II, when she had reached an age
when she had outiived sentiment and
needed KIND and strong arm TO lean upon.
! 1t was useless for MIN to ask her to come
| back TO him. She had buried the past.
| Her life III the East was in too great con-
tTast TO the miserable existence experienced
| In San Francisco. She had no husband to
| scod her at mealtlme or at bedtime, and
| was comparatively happy. She considered
| Ii folly to think of living together again,
i since she was old and knew that lie had a
younger and handsomer woman in his
thoughts. >.-z----sl.
A last letter OF April %. 1891, declared
they must never again meet, and she wrote
sbond like at least TO respect you before we
end our days Do anything you please but try
not TO soil my name, As you have done. /
haven't a friend In The world who would let a
| dIunken libeftlne like Chapman make a sugges-
ton against my name, as YOU have done with
out knocking him down. Ii Is evident That you
have not the spark OF a gentleman left. judging
from The Kind OF males aud females with whom
| you associate.
IL YOU desire 10 reform prove ii by shaking of
the Kind OF people who pander 10 the life you
lead. i am glad that l have the respect aud
m uln Ef.ax hat IL.
and while they not able 10 assist me
peeuniarily, they at least comfort me.
| THE ELECTIONS.
Mr.. Rankin declared that the rehectic 8
| upon him and the daughter, Mrs. Sidney
Drew, were unjust and uncalied for. He
| told OF his wife's extravagaut tastes. as
would be acknowledged by her dearest
| friend, and of the magnificent country
| nome which they once had on Boisblanc
| Island. with lots OF h0rseS, steam launch
| to convey them 10 the main shore, equip
| ages, house OF II rooms filled with
| effects and bTic-a- brac valued at $4,000 of
| their triumphal tour through the United
| States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
| when, with the play "The Danites," be-
tween August, 1877, and 1881, they realized
| profits OF $4,000.
| In short, he claimed that the desertion
was Gu her part; that he had made many
| overtures for reconciliation. and that he
| had In princely fashion contributed to her
| support and that of their daughters, when
he had the means, and TO the very best OF
MS ability when subject to adversely.
The Trial will be resumed on Thursday.