Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-21
BROUGHT TO SUDDEN CLOSE
JUDGE scARRITT STOPS THE MUS.
SER DIVORCE CASE.
Husband Will Be Given Decree-Wife
to Get the ~Child-Sorry Disap-
poIntment for a Morbidly
Curious Crowd.

The sensational Musser divorce suit came
10 an abrupt end yesterday noon through
the intercession of Judge Scarritt, who ad-
vised Mr.. and MIs. Musser to settle their
differences for the sake of their child. The
decree in the case will be rendered by the
Judge Tomorrow Mr.. Musser will be
given a divorce on the ground of incompat-
tbility; Mrs. Musser will be given the GUS
tody of the child: Mr.. Musser will be al
lowed TO visit HIS daughter and will con-
tribute to its support. Mr.. and Mrs. Mus
ser each withdraws the charges of in
fidelity and other things made against each
other.
The suit OF Inez Musser against George
w. Musser for divorce went to trial
Wednesday morning. 1t was one of the
most sensational cases ever tried in this
county. All day Wednesday the filthy de-
tails were laid bare. and it disguised the
Judge. When court met yesterday morn
Ing Mrs. Musser was the first witness call
ed. Before a question had been asked her
Judge Scarritt said 10 the lawyers:
You ought to stop right here and try TO
get together and settle this thing for the
sake of the little daughter Of these peo-
fRn isf a " Is and q s disgnse ah Of = th his t ri nA cast u upon eon
on her life that she viii carry TIL she dies.
/ want all of you folks concerned in this
case to retire to a private room here and
see If you cannot come to some sort OF a
compromise"
went into the jury room and remained all
the forenoon: When, u came time for
n noort session. eS %ee! M az Muss ei9en bimDirtt ed a writ
ten proposition to his wife's lawyers. which,
ne said, was that he must be given the d.
she might have the child, but he must be
allowed TO visit her, and. all charges Of
each against the other would be Withdrawn.
Mrs. Musser accepted this. the lawyers
asked till tomorrow to draw up the de-
cree. The judge granted the request ana
court adjourned.
The settlement of the case was a sore
disappointment to the crowd of men in the
courtroom. Every seat in the large room
up as were seated. Many Of the county
and city officials and clerks were there.
Old and bald-headed men were in the ma
1ority. 1t was amusing to watch old, sober
faced and staid business men side into
the courtroom and pretend to be surprised.
looked Mdy' a he1l1i. s swEa Eeu al sa This as cr sssS
why, this is the Musser divorce case.
divorce. heys Wen! Guess ri stay a
Would do ike do had done before he
BILE and stay through 1T all.
A man who figured as correspondent in
TONED aof By several sassil ~ Witnes aa,he w eds MsS,
was Frank G. Pratt. a solicitor for J. G.
Burner. the publisher. Pratt lived for
merly in Wichita. Kas. About three years
Pratt inherited a large fortune from
his father and he disappeared from Wich-
tia. it is said. deserving his wife. Ada F.
Pratt. For a time after he left a story
was afioat that he was really the multi
murderer II. II. Holmes, of Chicago castle
notoriety, but this story was exploded by
utter disappearance of her husband, broke
the heart of his wife and she died in the
Wichita hospital. April q last. 1t is said
Pratt wasted all his fortune in dissipation.
He was a great deal in the company Of
Mrs. Musser.