New-York tribune., 1903-06-12
DR.. VAN DE WATER NAMED
WATT CASE FOR JURY.
Motion in DiUorce Suit IN Which
Clergyman Is Correspondent.

The Rev. DR.. George r. Van De Water. rector
of st Andrews Protestant Episcopal Church,
Fifth-ave and One e-hundred-and- -twenty-sev
enth-st., chaplain to Columbia University and
formerly chaplain of the list Regiment N. G.
N. Y. has been named by Archibald Watt as
the clergyman heretofore unnamed in the
countercharges which he made about year ago
against his wife. Adele Watt. in her suit for
separation. Mr.. Watt, who formerly COM
modore of the American Yacht Club. and is
member of the Manhattan, Harlem and Driving
clubs, alleges that DIR. Van De Water and his
wife have been guilty of such conduct
titles him to an absolute divorce.
On the other hand, Mrs. Watt, who began an
action for separation last July. charges that
Watt cruel Indifferent, intemperate and
Eeglectful, and was intimate with other women
When a year ago Mrs Watt asked for alimony
and counsel fee aff1davits were submitted on be-
half of her husband in which a clergyman,
whose name not mentioned, was accused OF
being on Commodore Watts yacht at all hours
of the night with Mrs. Watt. after her husband
had retired The affiant. Matte H. Snaallwood,
colored, the stewardess of the yacht, also af-
firmed that Mrs. Watt had gone to church festi-
walls and other places with the clergyman and
returned to the yacht at late hour 1t was
also asserted that they had visited saloons to-
gether and fndulged in high balls" and other
liquid decoctions.
The separation suit and the counter action
came up in Special Term, Part l, OF the Sn-
preme Court yesterday before Judge Blanch-
ard on a motion to have the issues framed so
that the suits could be tried before a jury in
stead of by judge sitting in Special Term.
David May of Howe & Hummel. appeared 1or
Mrs Watt, and John c. Shaw for Mr. Watt.
The motion to frame issues in the\ divorce
suit of Mr.. Watt made by Mr. Shaw, VINO
asked that certain questions be submitted 10
a turv as to the allegations of infdelity made
by Commodore Watt.
This application" said he, lis to frame GER
tain issues and submit them to a jury. Mrs
Watt has brought action against her hus-
band for a separation, in which she alleges
cruelty and inhuman treatment. The defen-
dant replying, denies her allegations or cruel
and inhuman treatment, and makes counter
claim against the plaintiff of improper conduct
with certain persons. account Of which ne
asks for an absolute divorce"
David May, while not opposing the trial OF
the issues in the divorce suit. considered Mrs.
Watts assertions should also be submitted TO
a jury.
Your honor he said, my friend has not
stated the full facts in this case. This action
was originally brought in Mrs. Watts behalf
by the law firm of Howe & Hummel for a sep
aration on her allegations of cruelty. The de-
fendant interposed an answer denying all her
allegations of cruelty and making counter
charges against her in which he named two
men, one a certain clergyman of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, in this city, whose name L
do not now desire to mention, and the other
a man whose name do not now wish to dis
close"
Some thirty-fve questions, called issues Of
fact, were filed in the court to be submitted to
the jury that hears the case, counsel for both
sides agreeing such disposition.
Among the issues which will be submitted to
the jury whether not the defendant
neglected and nl-treated Mrs Watt; admitted
mis- relations with one Irene, and said her name
was Mrs Rice; was addicted to the use of in
plaintiff; had dssolute board the
American in 1898, and refused TO allow the
plaintiffs daughter by a previous marriage to
live with her
Dr. Van De Water is entitled to be served
with the summons and complaint. so that he
can defend himself. At his house, No. 1 West
One hundred and -second-st, last night 1t
given out that he was out of town
Last August the vestry OF DI VaL De Water S
church gave him vote of confidence in a set
Of public resolutions when his name was men
tened Last night, when several OF them were
seen they deplored the continual litigation, ana
declared that the use of DR.. Van De waters
name was uncalled for, and the result of vi
tuperation. He is innocent" said one of the
vestrymen: his relations with Mrs Watt, who
was a worker in church and guild, were SIM
ply those that would naturally exist between the
rector and any active member of the church,
The matter will be entirely cleared up, and this
outrage in attempting to connect Dr. Van De
Water in a malignant form with the proceed
ings will react upon the instigators, to their
dismay."