The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-13
STEWARDS TWO SPOUSES
TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO THE COURT
HIS MATRIMONIAL VENTURES.
Claims His Recent Divorce Was BONA
Fide-Ccnter Lodge, i. o. o. F.,
Injunction Suit.

John (Jack) w. Stewart, a well-known
young man of this city, was before Judge
Carter, of the Superior Court yesterday in
relation to charges made by Helen T. Stew
art, who claims TO be his wife. The woman
a week ago filed a petition asking that an
alleged fraud practiced on her and the court
by Stewart be investigated. In this petition
she charged that Stewart, having been
foiled in his attempt to get divorce from
her in Room l. had brought new suit for
separation in Room 8, making one Fannie
Stewart" the defendant. The petitioner
averred this was done in order that she
would be deceived and would not appear
against the plaintiff. When the divorce case
was called for trial there was no Fannie
Stewart present and the plaintiff was
granted his divorce. The petitioner charged
that Fannie Stewart is myth.
Both John w. and Helen Stewart were
present in court yesterday morning. Stew
art admitted his marriage to the petitioner,
but asserted he had been previously mar
ried to a woman named Fannie Garder in
Newport, KY. This marriage occurred in
1884 Stewart produced affidavits to prove
this marriage. They were signedl by the
judge of the Circuit Court and the clerk of
Campbell county, Kentucky. Stewart said
that after this marriage he travelled over
the country in the theatrical business. He
lived with his wife in Cincinnati and New
Orleans In the latter city they became
separated. He was married to Helen Stew
art in st. Louis in 1895, having come to the
conclusion that his first wife was dead.
Last September, he said, he received in
formation through a travelling man that she
was living, and so brought a suit for di-
Vorca from her in October. This was after
his separation from Helen Stewart.
The latter resides in Stewards house at
1873 North New Jersey street, but they are
not living together. The woman is d pro-
nounced brunette, very tall and well pro-
portioned. She is about thirty-five years of
age. She testified yesterday that she left
Stewart on account of his cruel treatment.
She said she was unable to produce her
marriage certificate, having torn it up in
Chicago after quarrel with her husband.
She stated that after their separation here
Stewart returned to her again and lived
with her for some time in her boarding
house at Ohio and New Jersey streets She
testified that on the day Stewart failed to
get q divorce from her in Room he shook
his fist at her in the courtroom and vowed
he would get even with her.
Some documentary evidence was pro-
duced yesterday morning in the shape OF
letters it was claimed Stewart had received
from a woman after his second marriage.
In one of the letters the writer stated that
she wanted to see Stewart-on business, and
he could not she would visit him. This let
ter was signed your wife" Stewart ac-
knowledged the receipt of the letter. but
denied that it was written by the woman
Fannie Stewart" to whom he was mar
ried in Newport. Judge Carter has taken
the case under Adjustment.