The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-21
LU7ES DIVORCE CASE.
Accused Wife Has Charge Of
Her ChiIdren-Her Vigor-
GUS Indignation.

The taking of testimony in one of the
most sensational divorce cases ever tried
in Jersey City was begun before vice
Chancellor Pitney in Chancery Chambers
after recess today. 1t is a case in which
a man is suing his wife for absolute di-
vorce after having been married to her
for fifteen years. The wife is an ex-
tremely attractive woman, who is promi-
nent in the Lafayette Methodist Church
and was always considered above re-
proach until her husband instituted the
proceedings for separation from her
That she is a responsible woman and well
thought of in the community is shown
by the fact that the Vice Chancellor has
given her the custody of her three chill
dren, boys ranging in ages from nine
to thirteen years, pending settlement OF
the case. She has also been allowed $40
weekly alimony and liberal counsel fees
The complainant is Joseph Perrine
Lutes, confidential clerk in the tracing
department. of Adams Express Company
No. SO Broadway, New York. Through
his counsel, ex-Assemblyman Frank Nc
Dermo.t, he has filed petition accusing
his wife of infidelity. Mrs. Lutes denies
her husbands s charges and declares that
when she is given an opportunity she Will
prove them groundless. She will be put
on the stand by her counsel, William T.
Speer, Jr., to testify in her own behalf
Mr.. Lutes left his wife in September last
and Immediately began the proceedings
now pending. He name as correspondents
Augustus Wakefield and George W.
Robertson Mrs. Lutes declares that she
never heard of Wakefield, and as for
Robertson, he was merely a school mate
and that no other relations other than
those of simple friendship ever existed
between them. Mr.. Lutes alleges that mis-
conduct on the part of his wife occurred
in the summer of 1886 and in the summer
Joseph Perrine Lutes was married to
Viola Keeler in New York on September
Is, 1882 1t was a runaway match. the
parents of both young people objecting to
their being married. Mr.. Lutes in her
reply to her husbands allegations, de-
clareS that not long after they were mar
and that he showed signs of unreasonable
jealousy; she says that this Jealousy has
been growing worse every year.
He would follow me to church" she
said; y land sit in the last pew and watch
me through,the services for fear I would
look too much at other men; | am a
Methodist and when | would come home
from prayer-meeting would have charges
hurled at me. One time he took my
pocketbook, containing $5 which my
brother had sent me, and accused me OF
One time met him on the street. and he
openly accused me of going with other
men, That was more than could stand
pounded him with my umbrella and
beat him until he had to run to shelter.
SAT another time l could not find my
husband and later he crawled from under
the bed, covered with feathers. He had
taken the bed apart, looking for letters,
and had been hiding and watching me.
At still another time he remained for
five hours without my knowledge in a
closet, watching me through crack in
the door, When the minister called on
me. Mr.. Lutes remarked that the next
time the clergyman called he had better
bring his trunk. The last encounter we
had was when l learned that he had told
the grocer not to deliver me any pro-
visions; he left me without any money.
When Mr.. Lutes called the next time
was almost too angry to speak. Inc
climax was reached when he repeated
his charges against me- went at him
in earnest. / could not help 1T. 1t was
more than a respectable wife could en-
dure. tore his vest into pieces and de-
shirt into ribbons and tore his coat into
shreds. My husband dashed into the
street before got through with him and
has not dared to face me since
she returned at a late hour from a straw
berry festival her husband locked her out
and exposed her to drenching rain. After
the proceedings for the divorce were be-
for desertion. The case was tried before
Police Justice Potts in the Fist Criminal
Court. Mrs. Lutes alleged tlat she was
without means and that she has received
no money from her husband in month
past. On advice of his counsel Mr.. Lutes
gave his wife $40 in the presence of the
Judge. She threw It in his face an ana re- re,
alimony she accepts is for the support of
the children not for her maintenance.
She is supported by her brothers.
terest. It will probably take several days
to dispose of it.