The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-05
Mr.. Wallace Names Willis
as Correspondent.
Latter Was Once the Close
Friend of Complainant.
Wife Flatly Denies the Charge, and
Asks for Separation.

New York, June 5-Charles r. Wal
lace of Brooklyn has commenced an action
for absolute divorce against his wife.
The case is on the calendar of the Su-
preme Court of Kings county to be tried
next Wednesday, but il is beieved 10 can
not be reached until a later date.
Henry A. Willis is named rs correspond
ent. Mrs. Wallace denies the allegation
made in the complaint and sets up "a
counter claim in which she asks for "A
decree Of separation. She says that her
husband ill-treated her and threatened
TO take her life and that once while In
toxicated he fell in tho vestibule of tho
house in which they lived. broke two ribs
discovered.
All the parties TO the action have en-
deavored TO avoid publicity.
The history of the case is closely con-
nected with that of IA similar one brought
two years ago by Mrs. Henry a. Willis
for absolute divorce from her husband.
The decree she demanded was granted on
the testimony of Edward A. Clifford, of
Adainsville. n. Y. lie swore that Willis
summoned him To Hudson, y. Y, To at
tend to some legal business, he being the
district attorney Of Greene county. While
in Hudson, he added, he saw written In n
hotel register, Henry a. Willis and
WIG anu saw -his. Nu'oSo uo phc
hotel.
Mr. Waliace's Allegation.
Wallace alleges that the Mrs, Wallace"
then referred to is his wife.
Wallace Is brother of Former Repre-
sentative W. &. Wallace, who was on
Governor Morton's staff.
Willis is "a brother of Public Works
Commissioner Theodore Il. Willis, OF
Brooklyn, who was naval officer during
President Harrison's administration.
The complainant and the correspondent
arc sons of very wealthy men. Members
Of each family are known throughout
Brooklyn as leaders, both socially and
politically, and are prominent in club
iife
Willis was married July II, 1878, to Miss
Annahelle Milne, daughter Of wealthy
contractor. She has an estate valued at
$200 900 that she inherited. After their
fathers house, No. 200 Scherme-horn
street. Willis was elected supervisor
after his marriage.
When Mrs Willis commenced her action
for divorce she employed detectives to keep
her husband out of her house, because she
said, he had locked her out one night.
For three months, and until the decree she
sued for was granted, detectives guarded
all doors of her house while she slept.
Married twelve years Ago.
Mr.. and Mrs Wallace were married
about twelve years ago. They have lived
since at No. i9i Halsey street, in "A house
that belonged to Mr.. Wallace's father
Mrs. Wallace is still there. Wallace has
not been there since papers in his suit
were served two months ago Mrs. Wal
lace was Miss Jennie Norden.
Wallace and Willis were friends and
were frequently together, Willis being
entertained oftener in the Halsey street
house.
Wallace holds responsible position in
one of the large life Insurance companies
I'm this city.
The brothers of the plaintiff and the
correspondent named have always been 'ao-
tive in opposing factions in the Republi-
can party. General Wallace is "A pro-
nounced Platt man, and Commissioner
Willis is tho leader Of the anti-Platt forces
In Brooklyn.
Johnson and Lamb, the senior member
Of which firm Is Jesse johnson, known as
the Republican War Horse. are attor-
neys for the plaintiff, and the legal rep
rescntative of the defendant is Edward
NJ. Grout. who was Democratic candidate
for Mayor of Brooklyn two years ago.
Mr. Gruut declined to speak of the case
last night beyond saying that he did not
believe the allegations made could De
sustained.
Jesse Johnson, .Jr., who is member
of his fathers law firm. said he had hoped
the facts would not De made public.