The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-22
MRS. FERRY'S SUIT.
Famous Divorce Case to
Be Reopened.
THE LADY ALLEGES FRAUD.
She Declares That Her Husband Swim
died Her in the Division of the
Community Property.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

TACOMA, Wash, March 21.-Evelyn P.
Ferry, the former wife of Clinton p. Ferry,
the Duke OF Tacoma" commenced suit to-
day to have the decree of divorce and
division of property set aside They are
the couple who caused such a scandal in
Paris, France, three years ago by the arrest
of the wife and her subsequent confession
OF adultery in order to secure possession of
their child. She now denies all the charges
and claims that Ferry's property was worth
S550,0O0 instead of 100000, as claimed at
the time of the divorce by the husband.
Ferry is now in Switzerland and Mrs Ferry
is in San Francisco. Both are well known
in Stockton and San Francisco.
Mrs Ferry, when informed last evening
at her residence in this city of the tenor Of
the above dispatch. expressed considerable
surprise that the news should have reached
this city so soon.
''Of course knew that the case was to be
reopened," said she, but had no idea that
it would be known vet in San Francisco.
Il have naturally great dread of pub
licity," continued Mrs. Ferry, although 1
must admit that all | have passed through
hitherto has only served to attach my
friends closer TO me- They know that |
have been outraGeously treated and that /
am forced to fight for my boys rights. and
this knowledge seems TO Increase the
warmth of their kindness.
This dispatch tonight Will TO doubt in
form them that have been obliged to reopen
the case, much TO my regret.
The proceedings for divorce were COM
menced against me in Tacoma in 1889. In
my absence and without my knowledge, a
decree was granted on a default. When |
learned this l had the case reOpeued, and
my San Francisco attorneys arranged things
so well that Mr.. Ferry agreed to settle out
OF court, and l took the decree and the one
child.
THE basis of the agreement was, of
course. half the community property, and,
unluckjly, l left the aseertaining of the
amount of this property to my Tacoma at
torney. ! was i'll and nervous at tile time,
too.
by this arrangement received share
calculated on property valued at between
100000 and S150,OOO. This was confident
at the time was very much under the real
amount OF Mr.. Ferry's fortune.
Since then l have found ont that the
community property is worth at least
$1,000, 600. and was worth that amount at
the time Of the settlement. shall, there
fore, have the case opened on the ground of
fraud.
MY boy is 8 years old now-old enough
to 20 to school. but not old enough to stand
up for his rights and mnst do it for him.
so it is all to do over again. don't
know whether Mr.. Ferry is in this country
or Europe, and therefore cannot say how
long the case may drag on. But am quite
confident OF success.
81 I'm vary fired Of mill ho
when it is settled. In plays and story-books
the wrong is invariably righted in the las.
chapter, and l hope it may be so in my life
story. l think have suffered enough, and
all. rs far as l can see, without any cause"
Mrs. Ferry is beautiful blonde, tall and
stately N carriage. She is quite young TO
have had such a history as that which ex-
cited TIE whole country few years ago.
She is a native Of Stockton, but resided
in San Francisco many years before meet
ing with her late husband She has innu-
merable friends in society here.
Shortly after her marriage her husband
went to Tacoma and engaged in specula-
tons, which resulted unexpectedly in an
immense fortune. He received the title
among his friends of the Duke Of Ia
coma" from his wealth and the laYishness
of expenditure.
In 1888 he proposed to his wife a trip to
Paris, and their arrival there was duly an
nounced by the press. Shorty afterward
succession Of kilograms appeared in the
Pacific Coast papers detailing the alleged
wild escapades OF Mrs. Ferry, who after
ward declared that these were sent by her
husband with the purpose Of prejudiciug
public opinion on this coast against the
time when he should bring his suit for
divorce. Al any rate. in 1889 the suit was
commenced, wish the result as detailed
above by Mrs Ferry herself
The case excited the keenest interest
here, in Tacoma and the East, where the
parties are well known