Evening star., 1901-08-08
HEAVY DAMAGES CLAIMED
JOHN SEAGER SAID TO HAVE SUED
CHARLES c. wORTHINGTON.
The Proceedings Based Upon Alleged
Alienation of Mrs. Seager's
Affections.

According to New York newspaper suit
has been instituted in that city by John
Seager against Charles c. Worth1ngton,
the former seeking to recover damages In
the sum of 100000 because of the alleged
alienation by Mr.. Worthington of the af-
fections of Mr.. Seager's wife. Mr.. Seager
formerly private secretary to Daniel
S. Lamont when the latter was Secretary
of War, and is well known in this city,
being engaged in business here as stock
broker. Mr.. Worthington was until recent
ly president of the Worthington Pumping
Engine Company, is a member OF num-
Der of the swell clubs of the metropolis
and is the possessor of a large fortune.
The records of the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia show that the I'd of
last April Maude Seager, through Attorney
Campbell Carrington Instituted proceed
ings to secure a divorce from John Seager.
Justice Hagner, the 9Th of June, signed
decree granting the petitioner a divorce on
the ground of willful desertion for a period
of two years prior to the filing OF the peti-
ton. MIR. Seager made no answer nor did
he set up n defense of any sort. The mat
ter was submitted to the court without ar
gument.
Meeting With Mr.. WOrthfnstOn.
Mrs. Seager is said to be a sister of Geo.
w. Lederer, the theatrical manager. Mr..
Lederer visited Europe several months ago,
those accompanying him being Mrs. Leder-
er, Mrs. Seager and other relatives. In
Berlin Mr.. Lederer says his wife informed
him that she would not continue to live
with him, and he took his boy Maitland.
and, with Mrs. Seager, returned to Lon
don on his way to this country
1t was there, Mr. Seager is reported as
saying, that his wife first met Mr. Worth
ington. She had written constantly to her
husband while abroad and her letters We're
i1rS 1ott chn
wrote, however, was shock to Mr..
Seager, for he says she informed him she
tired of her life with him and she
would not return to him. She added that
when she came back to this country she
would bring divorce proceedings against
him.
The statement is made that when she
did return she saw her husband, and he
asserts that although he did his best to
learn from her what had wrought such a
change in her attitude to him she would
not tell him, merely saying she had the best
of reasons. She told him. he says, she
would bring her suit in Washington.
Assured that she would not be turned
from her determination, Mr.. Seager made
no defense to her suit and decree was
granted to her. Now he says that in her
complaint she SWore he had deserted her
in June, $685. it being necessary to prove
that the desertion has been of two years
duration So far from this being the truth,
Mr.. Seager says it was only six months
where they lived together until she went
to Europe with Mr.. Lederer and his wife.
Result of Inquiry.
1t Is stated that Mr.. Seager has been
made i'll by his trouble and worry, and he
gave little attention to the suit. After the
decree had been awarded, however, he
heard many things concerning his wife and
Mr. Worthington, and this led to an ex-
tended inquiry. The result convinced him.
he declares, that Mr.. Worthington was re-
sponsib1e for his wifes change of heart,
and he decided to bring suit for damages.
II have been informed" said Mr.. Seager,
who is now in this city, that when my
wife was in London she stopped at ST.
Ermin's Hotel, where Mr.. Worthington had
his room. They were together almost con-
stantly, have been told, driving every
day, taking their meals together and TAX
ing no pains to disguise their admiration
for each other. 1t was at this time that 1
got my wife's letter telling me she never
would live with me again. When she came
back, understand, Mr.. Worthington was
On the same steamer. Had I known of this
you may be sure wouldn't have allowed
my wife to get her divorce without a con-
fecf