The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-19
DUE To POKER.
SignOr Perugini, Husband of
Lillian Russell,
Testifies in His Slut For Divorce
From Her
THAT ALL TROUBLE
Proceeded From Her Passion
For the Game.
Insisted ON Playing Until 6
O'Clock i'm the Morning.

New York, Sept. 19.-Taking of testi-
mony in the suit of Signor Perugini for
divorce from his wife, Lillian Russell,
has begun in Jersey City before Mas
ter in Chancery Washington B. Will
liams to whom the case was referred by
Chancellor McGiIl.
Signor Perugini's name in private life
is John Chatterton. The grounds on
which he seeks to be relieved from his
matrimonial bonds are desertion and his
wife's persistent refusal to live with
him. The plaintiff attributes his do
nestle troubles to his wife's uncontroll-
able infatuation for playing draw poker.
He says she prefers playing poker to
sleeping or even eating. Several the
atrical people were at the hearing, in
Guiding Digby Bell, Miss Ellsworth and
Mrs. Kate Brown, who were witnesses.
The defendant was not present.
After the proof Of the maria ge-
which was solemnized in January, 1894,
by Justice of the Peace Vollers in Ho-
boken-had been put in evidence, Sig
nor Perugini told his story
I lived with my wife in this city for
four months after our marriage he
said. Il paid the rent of the house and
the household expenses. We were very
happy until the season opened, and we
went on the road. We played together,
she as a prima donna and I as a tenor.
We had a very successful season, and
everything was as pleasant as could
be desired until we reached Philadel-
phia. Then my wife rebelled against
my authority. She would come to the
hotel and insist on playing poker until
8 o'clock in the morning, and that on
nearly every morning
with whom did she pIay?" asked
plaintiffs counsel.
With other members of the compa-
n.y. replied the witness. Il demanded
n CHI
forthwith, as there were some ladies in
the company whom I did not care to
have my wife associate with. My wife
refused to listen to me or to obey my
instructions, and asserted her right to
do just as she pleased. We had many
quarrels, some of them quite stormy
and finally my wife left the hotel where
we We're stopping and went to another.
She told me she would never live with
me again, and that as far as she was
concerned could do as pleased.
we continued to play together all
that season, although the newspapers
were full of stories about our separa-
ton. The audiences received me with
great enthusiasm, while my wife was
treated very cOldIy. She became so ex-
cited and agitated over the continued
GOODNESS of her receptions that it was
with difficulty 1.-THE management re-
strained her from breaking her con-
tract. While on the stage and between
the acts I often spoke kindly to her and
begged her to return to me, but she
would not even deign to answer me.
she became i'll after the season
closed, and I sent her bouquets and lit
tie presents, and I also wrote her let
ters begging her to return but she
neither acknowledged the receipt of the
presents nor answered the letters.
have not seen her in four years nor
heard from her except through
friends"
Digby Bell testified that he had
known Signor Perugini and Lillian
Russell for a great many years and
had played in the same company with
them.
81 was a mutual friend" he said. "and |
when trouble came between them I in |
terested myself in trying to effect a re-
Cancellation. My efforts were not sue |
Newark, when the curtain fell on the |
last act of the final performance Miss |
Russell exclaimed: THANK heaveni |
That's the end of this ordeal, the end of |
him. This was because of the treat |
ment accorded to her by the public. |
When the company was leaving Buff |
falo went into Miss Russell's private |
car to bid her goodbye and remarked |
that hoped to see her and her hus-
band touring together again. Miss Rus |
sell said such a thing could never be, |
as the separation was final"
Miss Ellsworth testified that she met |
Miss Russell about a year after she |
had separated from Perugini and Miss |
Russell asked her if she had seen any |
thing of him recently. Witness replied |
that she saw him occasionally.
Next time you see him. said Miss |
Russell, you can tell him to go to the |
devil and that I'll never live with him |
again.
The testimony is being taken private |
ly. Miss Russell has filed a crossbill |
against her husband, alleging cruelty.
RTRLES FOR HEROES.