The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-08
Claims Ernest BrOquet Prom.
ised to Wed Her.
DEFENDANT WEALTHY.
A Rich Ranch Owner In Norton
County.
Was Divorced From Wife When
He WOOed Plaintiff.
Then Relented and Remarked
His Former Wife.

sensational breach of promise suit
will be called for hearing at the next
term of the United States circuit court
here. Nora e. Simmons of Kansas City.
Mo-, is the plaintiff in the case, and
she has brought the suit against Ernest
Broquet, of Devices, Norton county.
$4,000 account of his refusal to
marry her. after an engagement of two
years duration.
The petition filed with the clerk of
the court here today is very brief. None
of the details of the case are entered in
to- Attorney Laughlin who came here
to file the suit, however, said that the
case would develop into one of the most
ensational that was ever brought in
this court.
In the petition, Nora Simmons alleges
that on January Is, 1899, she being then
unmarried, at the request of the de-
fendant, Mr.. Broquet, promised to
marry; that frequently between that
time, January Is, 1899 and September,
1901, she promised to marry and that
the defendant also renewed his prom
ises to marry. She also alleges that on
this account she remained unmarried,
that on September 16, 1901, the defend
ant repudiate ted his promises to marry
the plaintiff and that he married an
other woman during the same month.
She further alleges that "up to the
time of the said marriage" she was 'at
all times ready and willing to marry
the defendant. and that by reason of
| the refusal of the defendant to fulfill
| his said promises, great Distress NOR
tification and disgrace have been brought
upon plaintiff, all to her damage in the
| sum of $50,000," for which judgment is
prayed, including the costs of the case
| Ernest Broquet is a rich ranch owner
! of Norton county. He is of French deS-
| cent and his family is wealthy. He is
about 45 years old. He is well known
at Norton, the county seat of Norton
| county, where his family has large
! property interests.
| Nora E. Simmons is said to be beau
| tiful woman. She is quite well known
| In Kansas and is supposed to be quite
wealthy.
The story of the incidents which led
! to this breach of promise suit reads like
a highly colored novel Broquet has
| gained for himself the reputation in his
county, it is said, of being exceedingly
| rapid. He has gone through with large
| SUMS of money, and a few years age
| was practically without money.
Nearly 20 years ago he was married
| He lived with his wife for nearly Ii
| years and was separated from her fiv'
years ago by divorce applied for by
| Mrs. Broquet. They were the parents
| of three children two boys and one girl
| the oldest being a boy about 1S year,
| old.
Mrs. Broquet secured her divorce OF
| account of charges made against he
husband of a sensational character. H
| later met Nora Simmons, the plaintiff
| III Tie DIcdCI VI pIOiIilSS suit, dll0 IL L
alleged promised to marry her.
Through the offices of Mr.. Broquet'
mother, business-like old lady of s
years, who manages the Broquet estate
| a reconciliation was effected betweel
the son and his wife and they wer
again married.
1t is now said that the defendant, MI
Broquet, has amended his ways ar
that by mis- habits of industry and en-
| ergy he is rapidly amassing a forum
| in fn Stnc1x hJ1CinPSS tt iS said that
one time when Broquet had lost the en-
tire fortune given him by his father. h
borrowed $4,000 from a friend and sue
ceeded in clearing up $4,000 in on
| year by an investment in cattle
Broquets mother is an excellent busi
| ness woman and although quite we
advanced in years apparently attend
| to the affairs of the estate with a
much energy as could be displayed b
a younger woman.
Deputy United States Marshal Nc
| Grath served the papers of the sui
upon Broquet at his home near tn
| pOstOffice of Devices