The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-12
PraetorlOus Family Skeleton Is 10 Dance In
Open Court
A patent MEDICINE alliance
Former Residents of Wilkes-B Barre
Threaten to Figure in a Divorce
Suit-A Frivolous Quartette EN-
barks Upon a Voyage Along the
Raging Canal to Rochester-An
Early Call at a Hotel at Which SUM-
dry Bits of Furniture Floated Upon
tho Air
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. II

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. II
IN BUFFALO dispatch to the Phil
IAN adelphia Record gives a sensa-
In\ tional account of a domestic
Ii u drama at that city, in which u
former resident of Willes-Barre and
his wife appear as the chief actors, as
follows:
A scandal which has been extensive
ly circulated in the clubs and the gath
ering places for two months ia about
to be made public by the beginning Of
suit for $25 900 damsgss by Herman
S. Praetorious against V. Mott Pierce,
son of ex-C Congressman Ray V. Pierce,
Of the Worlds Dispensary Medical as
sociation, and the Pierce patent medi-
cines.
The action will be for the alienation
of the affections Of Mrs. Elizabeth
Praetorious, the well-known public
singer The domestic troubles of the
Praetotious family are already in court
through dispute over the possession
of the S-year-old girl E lena. This
will come up for settlement in the
Supreme court and will be followed by
an action for divorce and one for
damages.
The episode which led to this situa-
tion happened about two months ago
In the absence of Mr.. Praetorious from
the city 1t Is alleged that the wife and
Mr. Pierce planned pleasant journey
in the latter's yacht along the canal to
Rochester and then to Ontario Bsach.
They were accompanied by another
couple, whose names are likely to
figure In the case to the extent of
starting another divorce suit.
According to the story, the party was
followed by private detective, who,
when he had located them at the On
tario Beach hotel, telegraphed to Mr..
Praetorious to come on He came, and
the two broke into room in the hotel
at an opportune time, and found Mr..
Pierce and Mrs. Praetorious there. The
men fought and number Of pieces Of
furniture were broken. The proprietor
OF the hotel caused the arrest of Mr..
Praetorious and he was taken to court.
He settled with the hotel man for the
damage done, and Mr.. Pierce declined
to appear against him on the charge Of
assault.
STOLE THE CHILD.
Mr.. Praetorious returned to Buffalo
and about three weeks ago abducted
the daughter, Edens, and placed her
where her mother Gould not find her
Mrs. Praetorious went to court with an
application for an order requiring her
husband to produce the child. She
charged in her petition that he
was holding the child In order to Sc
cure from the wife written confes.
sion Of misconduct with Mr.. Pierce, an
accusation which she denied His
idea was, 1t is said, to secure divorce
as quietly as possible. and he knsw
that with the confession from the wife
he would have no difficulty in getting
the decree.
The court ordered him to produce
the child, but he has not obeyed. Mr..
and Mrs. Praetorious are living apart.
Mr.. Praetorious has placed his case
with well-known law firm, which is
said to oe drawing papers for the two
suits, one for divorce and one for dam
ages. which will be precipitated when
the result o. the litigation over the
child is known. Mr.. and Mrs. Prae-
torious are known in the best society
here, the latter having quite reputa-
tion in musical circles all over the
country.
Herman Praetorious is a son Of Pro.
fessor Praetorious, the we'll known
musician Of Wilkes Barre, and Mrs.
Praetorious was prominent in musical
circles in Wilkes-Bsrre several years
ago. She sang at the saengerfest in
that city about two years ago and her
voice has been much admired in solo
work in several of the Wilkes-Barre
churches.