Evening journal., 1897-09-17
WANTS TWENTY THOUSAND.
PAPERS FILED IN THE PRETTYMAK-
WILLIAMSON CASE.
FIRST CASE OF THE KIND IN THE
ANNALS OF DELAWARE JURIs-
DlCTlON - THE PLAINTIFF
MAKES SERIOUS CHARGES.

DlCTION - THE PLAINTIFF
MAKES SERIOUS CHARGES.
In the Superior Court papers have
been filed "a the case OF William f.
Prettyman VS.. Edwin p Williamson.
The former charges the latter with |
alternating the affections OF his wife
and, reducing the loss Of happiness TO
cold cash, wants $4,000 damages. This
Is the first suit of the kind that has ever
been brought in this state, and now
that Prettyman has set the ball rolling
there is no telling how far 1t will roll.
James w. Ponder represents Prettyman
and Pe,er l.. Cooper Jr., is William
sons attorney
Al the last session of the General
Assembly Mrs Prettyman applied for a
divorce, the charges against her nus
band being desertion and non-support.
Senator Pyle introduced her bill Shel
| appeared before the committee. but her
husband did not, he afterwards allee-
ing that he received no notice or the
date set for the hearing A favorable
report was made on the bill, and IL
passed the Senate. II was sent over to
the House and there lost. Some weeks
later Senator Pyle discovered the loss.
and Tor a time il looked as Though
there would be trouble. A. new bill was
| prepared and sent to the committee un-
| der suspension of rules. Prettyman. by
letter from his attorney, protested
against the granting Of the divorce and
called the committees attention Ito the
alleged improper relations with VIII
Hanson. she and Williamson went to
Dover a second time and each swore
that the relations between them had
been Of business and not criminal
character. For a second time favor
able report was made and the bill pass
ed the Senate. 1t was hung up in the
House for some time, but finally pass
ed, and Mrs Prettyman was free.
I This suit for alienation of affections
is the sequel to this legislative action.
In the narr just filed, and which covers
twenty typewriter pages, Prettyman
states in substance that he was early
in February. 1872. legally married ac-
Cording to the laws of Delaware TO
Mary IA Wilson, with whom he lived
in pleasant and happy intercourse for
about twenty years. during which time
7 several children we're bourne by her
r During this time the plaintiff was loved
and esteemed as q true and faithful
wife only can love and esteem her hus.
band. That eight or ten years ago The
{ wife of the plaintiff became, through
j. the efforts OF the defendant, acquaint
e ed with The defendant in this suit. VIII,
T. thereafter became a constant visitor a
= the house OF the plaintiff. the aItten
r tons Ofsthe defendant to the wife OF tn
e. plaintiff becoming so pronounced AM
: noticeable not only by the Plaintiff. bu
by his friends and neighbors. that n
. demonstrated with his wife, that sh
should refrain from the constant meet
q ing with the defendant, which remon
strances were unheeded On account o
u the frequency OF the visits Of the de
fendant and of his manner towards tn
: wife, the defendant using every and al
:. means to ingratiate himself in the af
y fections Of her, day after day waiting
upon her cOmplimenting. hatterin
= and making love to her, and from tim
TO time giving her presents OF none
y; and other valuables. contrary TO tn
= wishes OF the plaintiff. and accompany
IL ing her on various trips or excursions
during which all her bills were PAL,
by the said defendant.
That in Atlantic City, while away to
gether on one OF the trips or excur
'e slons, The defendant did unlawful
le have sexual intercourse with Mrs
L Prettyman by means Of which conduo
b and unlawful intercourse the wife O
- the plaintiff ceased to care for her hus
l. band. and she became cold in her man
81 ner toward him and refused to alloV
u him the rights and privileges belongin
l- 10 a husband, and on account of tn
~ said condition of her feelings teh plain
q tiff was compelled to leave her. fror
e which time he has been separated froT
el his children and without a home; an
d. the defendant has assumed entir
s. charge and control of his (the plain
IN tiff's) family, being daily at the hous
OF his wife, where he has assumed [
manage and control as the master {
the households; and bills rendered fc
B. coal, fuel and other goods. wares. mel
he chandise and luxuries have been pal
a by the said defendant fer and on az
W. cOuri. of Mary L. Prettyman. On az
n count Of all the alleged acts above r,
a cited, done by the defendant, whereb
es the plaintiffs home has been destroyer
his wife's love and affection lost an
association of his children prevente'
" the plaintiff claims that he has sustain
r | ed damage TO the extent of $50 O00