The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-20
He DENIES He
HUGGED AND
KISSED HER
Curious Case Which Is Up in
Chicago.
THEY MET AFTER YEARS
But Have Different Tales of.
the Meeting.

Chicago, July. 19.-TOwnsend Smith, a
real estate dealer in the Boyce building.
who is accused by Mrs. Lille E. Davis. a
school teacher. of having attempted to
renew an acquaintance of seventeen
years ago with hugs and kisses, and who
thereby damaged Mrs. Davis feelings
TO the extent of $4,000 according TO a SUIT
filed by her lawyers yesterday declared
that Mrs. Davis was mentally unbalanc-
ed. In support Of this claim he asserts
that the father of Mrs. Davis and two Of
her sisters had been at different times
unuder treatment for insanity.
On the SIC of Mrs. Davis her lawyers,
Matson & Edwards, say that granting
the fact insanity has existed in the fam
lily it would have to be violent to cause
her to make up such a story as she has
told. It is further claimed that Mrs.
Davis whole life and her work for TWEEN
~ years as a teacher in the Chicago pub
lie schools have shown her free from the
least faint Of insanity.
I met Mrs. Davis last Friday said
Smith yesterday, at his Office in the
Boyce building. she came along the
sidewalk in Dearborn street, near my Of
flee, as I was talking to a friend. We
had not met before for seventeen years,
when she was a young girl and 1 was a
young man just married. My wife and I
boarded for some time with the mother
of Mrs. Davis Mrs. Parento. The recog-
milton was mutual and we talked few
minutes about old times and changes.
When ] told her I had nine children she
exclaimed: why, Mr.. Smith, don't be-
lieve it, and thereupon I said: Well, I've
a picture of them in my Office, if you
care to see it She said she would like TO
see the picture, and came up TO my Office
with me. Our whole conversation in this
private Office was with the door open 10
the outer Office, where two young women
were working. There was absolutely
nothing improper in my remarks to Mrs.
Davis, and her visit did not last more
than ten minutes.
You can imagine my surprise, then.
when I read about this suit. have not
yet been served with papers. but under
stand that notice Of beginning the suit
has ben entered. My opinion is that the
woman is mentally unbalanced and, in
thinking over the visit after she went
away, imagined that she had been III
treated. The facts about her relations
show there is insanity in the family.
Monday Mrs. Davis. accompanied by
her husband came up here and asked me
to give them some money! don't re-
membre how much; it was either 80 or
s50o-on the ground that Mr. Davis need
ed it TO go to California, where he has a
ranch. / refused 10 give them anything.
They did not accuse me Of any wrongdo-
ing then. and I do nto think the refusal
to give them money had anything to do
with the filing of the suit; that in my
opinion, was wholly the result Of the wo-
mans deranged mind"
The story Of Mrs Davis as given to
her lawyers agrees with that of Mr..
Smith about the way in which she went
TO the Office. but disagrees radically with
the real estate dealers account of what
took place there. Members Of her family
say she has admitted having asked Mr..
Smith for money at her visit Monday,
but asserts she did it on the ground that
MIR Smith ought to be taught lesson /
IN behavior.
George Strauss, who owns the building
N which Mrs. Davis lives, at 1855 Mil !
vaukee avenue, said yesterday; Mr.. aQd !
Mrs. Davis have lived here for ten or
-welve years. and l never heard a word |
against them. Mrs. Davis is a quiet wo-
nan. She never did the least thing queer. |
% my knowledge / should not suspect /
Ter Of being in the least deranged.
The complainant in the case is small /
woman about IS years old. Mr.. Smith. /
Who is said to De well-to-do, lives in /
aka Pluff