New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-05
J. B. POTTER GETS DIVORCE.
THE DECREE GRANTED BY JUDGE
ROGERS AT NEWPORT ON THE
GROUND OF DISCRETION.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !


Newport R. L June An the Supreme Court
this afternoon the divorce petition Of James
Brown Potter nephew Of Bishop Henry c. Pot
ter of New York against Cora UrQuhart Pot
ter was heard by Judge HoratiO Rogers, and
granted. The allegation was "desertton, living
apart four or five years" and the evidence was
wholly in the form Of dispositions, which made
a formidable mass of typewritten documents.
James Brown Potter. the plaintiff. deposed
that ne is citizen Of Newport, under recent
decree of the Supreme Court. provided by
law and that IN coming to Newport TO live he
was merely returning TO the home Of his fam
lily. which dates back TO early times in the his
tory Of the State while three Of his uncles are
now residents here.
In the spring Of 1886 Mrs. Potter and their
daughter Fiji, then seven years old, went abroad
to spend the summer Previously Mrs. Potter
had taken part in amateur theatricals, and
wished to go the stage professionally, TO
which the plaintiff was opposed. In 1887 she
wrote him that all she cared for was her art,
which she preferred husband or daughter;
that she was going on the stage to be somebody.
and not conine herself TO narrow Tuxedo She
did not think she could ever live there again,
but wanted to become a citizen of the world
She would go on the stage even without her hus-
bands consent, but would do nothing to be
ashamed of.
Plaintiff wrote his wife, warning her that she
would cause breach between him and his fam
lily, and opposed her going on the stage Later
he demanded that she cancel her contract, TO
which his wife replied that her mind was made
up and she intended to persevere. She said:
You must recognize that am a woman
ask you as to respect me- We are not IN
the dark ages now.
Judge Rogers said he was satisfied that their
paths diverged, unless there was something to
bring them together Plaintiff testified that he
supported his wife and gave her money for the
European trip, but she returned his letter Of
credit. The Judge said this was probably TO be
considered a declaration of independence
In consideration for his wife, plaintiff al
lowed his daughter TO remain with her mother
for some time after Mrs. Potter went on the
stage. When she returned to New-York her
hotel bills were paid by her theatrical manager
He saw no sign Of affection her part. She
seemed too much engrossed in her dramatic
work 10 pay any attention TO him. de told ms
wife that the daughter would have to remain
with him. Plaintiff considered that the final
breaking Of relations dated from February %,
1851 He had never at any time consented 10
the stage life Of his wife.
Other dispositions were read in confederation
Of the testimony Of plaintiff and the divorce
was granted.
Cora Urquhart Potter is daughter Of Colonel
David Urquhart Louisiana planter of proui-
nence She was married to James Brown Pot
ter in New Orleans in the spring Of 1877. Mrs
Potter was for several years known elo-
cutionist of ability and prominent in
amateur theatricals. It was about thirteen
years ago that she left her husband in order
to go upon the stage.
She made her debut at the Haymarket Thea
tire on March 20, 1887, as Anne Sylvester IN
Wilke ColIins's play Man and Wife" The
Prince Of Wales was present. With Kyrle Bel
lew as her leading she played in nearly
every part OF the world where an audience that
understood English could be got together. one
of her earlier achievements upon the stage was
magnificent production OF antony ana Gle
opatra-" in which she appeared as Cleopatra.
Her father-in-Iaw, Howard Potter, who died IN
London on March % 1897, disinherited her IN
his will.