The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-14
DIVORCES.
Stokes Family
Figures
PROMINENTLY
Sister-in-Law of John Stet-
son Obtains Separation.

Another phase in the family troubles
OF John Stetson, the late famous Bos-
ton theatre manager.
Yesterday, in the jury-waived session
OF the superior court, before Judge
Aiken, Belle Stokes Inslee, we'll
known actress, and slster-in-law of the
late John Stetson and sister of the late
Kate Stokes-Stetson, whose troubles
IN the court have occupied so much at
tentlon through the theatrical world.
as revealed in the Ada Richmond case
was divorced from Charles E. Inslee
former manager of the Globe The
atre of Boston, on the the ground of
adultery, the correspondent named be-
ing called Miss A. Morgan, also an
actress.
The libellant, Belle stokes-Inslee
brought the libel against her husband
on the ground of adultery, the act al
legged being committed with the core
spondent named in the little country
1898. 10y H.
Mrs. Inslee's case came the latter
sworn, her striking figure made a deep
impression upon the spectators in the
court room. Dressed stylishly in black
ana sombre colors, her welI-trinmed
FORM was surmounted by high thea
trlcal hat, and her frank, sympathetic
ar as she narrated the incidents of her
tention
She spoke in liquid measures. with a
sort, appealing voice; but when she
came to the evidence in regard to her
husbands infidelity, her eyes shone
with an angry look which would be as
etfective off the stage as on. Mr.. Inslee
himself, the libellant in the suit, made
no contest and did not appear in court
TO defend the libel.
There We're but three witnesses in the
case, Mrs. Inslee herself the deputy
sherln who served the libel. and the
Keeper of the hotel where the alleged
act of inffdelity took place. 1t was a
remarkable coincidence indeed that af-
ter the fierce litigation which followed
the legal claim of Kate Stokes Stetson
10 the property Of the great theatrical
manager Of Boston, and the revelation
as to the romantic career of John Stet-
son, that his sister-in-law, still cling
ing to the honored name of Stokes
should also have found unhappiness in
her married existence, and drained It's
cup OF sorrow to the dregs.
Like her sister. Kate Stokes Stetson
Belle Stokes Inslee, who was allied to
one of the leading families of Boston
has been forced to the court to secure
redress, and her name again brought
before the attention of the public in
attaining her freedom.
For the past two years Mrs. Inslee
has been living in New York with her
mother, and has enjoyed the privacy of
retired life previous to the petition
for divorce from her husband Two
years ago she left the stage for the
time being, and now that her freedom
has been obtained it is announced that
she will return to the footlights Both
she and her husband were actors at
the time of their marriage, and her
husband, from whom she is at last sep
arated, is playing with the Castle
Square company in Boston.
Mrs. Inslee herself first took the
stand and was examined by her coun-
sci, Col. Robert e. Beecher of Athol
for 20 minutes. She said that she was
married to the libelee, Charles E. ms
lee, in November, 1893, while the two
were playing in Boston. They Travelled
together with various stock companies
over the country for two years, when
they abandoned theatrical work for
time, and her husband, becoming en-
amored with hotel proprietorship, as
sumed charge of the Pequog house at
Athol Here, after some months of ex-
istence, life did not continue so pleas
ant and Mrs. Inslee began to hear
stories about the associates with whom
her husband confined his company
She said that she heard open talk of
his relations with other women, and
finally married life became so intoler-
able that she went to New York to
live with her mother. The relations
with husband and wife living apart
continued until July 14th of the present
year when as claimed in the libel, her
husband, under the name of Charles e.
Edgerton, occupied rooms with a Miss
Morgan at the Warwick Hotel at War
wick, this state. The register was
produced in court, and the signature
of Charles e. Inslee identified.
As Charles e. Edgerton he remained
at the Warwick Hotel five days with
Miss Morgan, as claimed, according to
the testimony Of the landlord, Alfonso
Baker, who allowed them full freedom
until he received intimation from Dep
uty Sheriff Doane as to the identity Of
the couple The proprietor of the inn
himself testified to the presence of Mr..
Inslee at the hotel with the lady, and
produced the hotel register. Deputy
sheriff Doane testified to serving the
notice of the libel upon the libellee. He
saw him in Warwick, and said that his
reputation for chastity was not good.
Il came out in the testimony that
MT. Inslee had deserted the libellant
after having supported her about four
wears. The question of alimony was
Iro,,pht in. Mrs. Inslee stating that she
was in what might be called straight
ened circumstances
The court at first reserved the award
of alimony to another sitting, but final
" called Mrs. Inslee back to the stand
and she testified as to the condition of
her husbands employment The son
Of well-known Boston brewer; NE Is
now setting about $50 per week, and
she asked for $40 for her support. The
PRAYER for alimony at $40 per week was
allowed. Mrs. Stokes-Inslee then lett