The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-15
JERSEY LILY" NOW FREE
EMILE CHARLOTTE LANGTRY sE-
CURES a DIVORCE IN CALIFORNIA.
Her Husband Fails TO Heed a SUM
mons and the Judge Grants a Decree
by DefauIt-The Dispositions.

LAKE PORT, CAL, May 14.-Emilie Char
lotte Langtry, better known throughout the
two hemispheres as the Jersey Lily" has
secured a divorce from her English hus-
band. The decree that gives her her much
sought freedom from matrimonial letters
was signed by Judge r. w. Crump yester-
day. 1t was all done very quietly, a de-
fault being entered against the foreign de-
PENDANT, who had failed to file a defense in
the time allowed by the California code.
While all the legal formalities were COM
piled with, no one except those actually in
terested in the delicate matter were present.
Henry G. McPike. who appeared for the
plaintiff, was armed with a number of dep
ositions taken in England and America in
tended to convince the court that Edward
Langtry had deserted his fair wife. That
of the plaintiff was to the effect that she
married Mr.. Langtry on the Isle of Jersey
in 1876 and that the marriage certificate
gave evidence that the lady was twenty
years of age and Langtry was twenty-four.
The defendant gave as his place of birth
Scotland, while Mrs. Langtry said she was
born in Jersey. the witnesses of the cere-
mony being Mr.. and Mrs. LIE Briton, the
lady's parents. Mr.. LIE Briton, who was a
minister of the Church of England. off,
ciated. Fiv years after their marriage a
daughter was born and named Jeanne. At
the time Of the taking of the deposition
in 1896 this child was fifteen years OF age
and has always resided with her mother.
Mrs. Langtry testified that her husband had
deserted her a number Of years ago. From
this time to date. the lady testified, he has
not furnished her nor her child with any
means of support, but, to emphasize his de-
sertion, has declared on a number OF oc-
casions that he would not return to his
wife. Thus thrown on her resources, she
had taken to the stage for a livelihood, had
been pursuing that occupation for a num-
California and taking a fancy 70 the climate
procured a house in San Francisco for a
year, in order that she might have time to
select a location for a permanent home.
She finally secured a large tract of land
near Middletown in the southeastern part
of Lake county and took up her residence
there. She spent a portion of the money
she made on the stage for improvements.
From this legal and financial showing the
lady returns to her matrimonial expert
ences, saying in one sentence: Il have al
ways treated Mr.. Langtry with affection,
never giving him cause 10 disregard his
duty toward me ag my husband" In con-
clusion she asked that the custody of their
daughter Jeanne be awarded to her.
Sir George Lewis, Mr.. James w. Smyth
Pigot, Captain a. w. Williamson, Emily
David lie Rriton and Clement LIE Briton,
the mother and father, testified on the point
Of desertion by Mr.. Langtry. and as to her
being a resident of California. Immediately
on the conclusion OF the hearing OF the
motion of Attorney McPike all the papers
in the case were sealed, in accordance with
law respecting divorce cases. For several
hours Judge Crump studied over the points
of the hearing in the retirement of his
chambers. Then he signed the decree find
ing that Edward Langtry had been duly
served with the summons, which luminous
he had failed to answer and was in de-
fault.