The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-28
Counsel Representing Doehme Refuse TO Make stateme1
Concerning Proceedings in Divorce Case, ButSay It
is Up to Primo Donna to Make Statement.

| Is VIZ w
Declaring that there was some collu-
sion between Edward Lautcrbach. coun-
sci for Zoltam Doehme and James Russell
Soley. counsel for Lillian Nordca Doehme.
George Gordon Hastings. new lawyer for
the Hungarian tenor, argued before JUS
tce MacLean In the Supreme Court.
that the interlocutory decree Of divorce
for Nine Nordica, granted on January
Goth should be set aside. Messrs. Solely
and I.autcrbach both secuted the collu-
sion charges. and Mr. Lauterbach sought
In every way to get before the court an
affidavit he had made telling In detail
his connection with the case. Justice
MacLean would not accept it, even as
courtesy to Mr.. Lauterbach.
The arguments rehearsed from the be-
ginning the marital difficulties OF the
Declines, paying particular attention 70
the haps and mishaps of an account OF
about $1,000 in the New Amsterdam
Bank, and an account of about $50, oD0
with Strong, Sturgis s; CO. 1t was be-
cause these accounts comprised all his
means of living Mr.. Doehme averred, that
he did not defend the divorce suit. The
LAWYER for his wife and his own former
lawyer urged him to make no contest,
and he could have part of this money,
his present lawyer declared. Justice
MacLean gave the lawyers until this
afternoon to file briefs in the case.
Her Former Husband.
Rumors yesterday that Frederick a.
Cover. Nine. Nordica's first husband,
who was supposed to have been drowned
in the English Channel In balloon eN-
petition had appeared in Paris very re-
Gently, were credited in some quarters
to Mr. Solely. Nine. Nordica' $ attorney.
Last night he denied this empha tcal.y.
Not only did he know nothing of Mr..
Covers appearance in Paris he said,
but he did not believe that the man
was alive.
George Gordon Hastings, for the tenor,
yesterday told of the early married life
of the two singers, bringing !tdown TO
August of last year, when Nine. Nordica
came here from Europe. At that time
the Hungarian was in Europe, but. his
n ttorney said received messages and let
tiers from Nine Nordica constantly add
ing: He had no reason to believe there
had been any change in her feelings,
but there had, and this wife was DESTROYS
OF obtaining divorce. Her husband
was entrapped by the schemes of people
who will be brought forward
Inc HIST MI. lJptilillG hiloN VI tiiN ~
yorce suit said his lawyer, was when
he received word, in November 1903, that
his account in the New Amsterdam Bank
and his brokerage account with Strong,
Sturris & Co. had been attached in
suits brought by Nine Nordica. He came
to- this country was served with papers
in four suits, including one for absolute
divorce, became III and had to go to Dr.
Bulls sanatorium. Under pressure from
his counsel and his wife's, he consented
not to fight the divorce suit. asserted
Mr.. Hastings on the promise that all
the money tied up by the suits, save
$4,000 which was to go to Nine Nordica,
should be paid over to him.
HE was coerced BY force and, fraud, =
said Mr. Hastings,
Prima Donna's Defense.
To this Mr. Solely interposed an afi-
dayit from Nine. Nordica, and one of
his own. supplemented by various others
from, DR.. Bull, lawyers who had heard
Doehne threaten to kill Nine. Nordica T.
she got divorce and then commit sui
eide. subpoena servers and the manager
for Strong. Sturgis 6: Co. Nine. Nordica
declared that her husband had not work.
ed since she married him, but she had
turned over to him some 100000. She
had deposited III his charge securities
which he had on margin with strong,
Sturgis & Co. When she came here last
summer she discovered that her nus
band was unfaithful, not once, but sew
eral times. so she began divorce pro-
ceedings, also bringing SUIT TO recover
the money Of hers which her husband
had on deposit TO his own credit.
Mime. Nordica's Letter,
Counsel then read the following letter
which Mme Nordica sent her husband
last November informing him of her
contemplated action against him;
,Zoltan,-Since my return to America
have learned of facts about your con-
duct during the past two years which
have shocked and panied me inexpressi-
bly,. There is no need for mo
to go over these details. You know them
we'll yourself and you know that no en-
cuses can be made to Justify them. is
not of any single case OF lntlaeily lnat
am sneaking. hut a whole lie of in-
fidality not only when i have been away
from Won but when ! have been with
Won and Trusting implicitly In your pros
testations of affection.
~ have thought long and, deeply over
these matters. and of our relations from
the beginning to see whether ~ was
noss,hle 10 find any. common ground orr
which VIC could live, but find none.
During the seven years of our married life
i have given you, as you know all the af-
fant,or, and devotion of true and loyal
wife without reserve and without ex-
cantion / have worked necessarily and
1,ard st my profession and have placed
I H., ,,o,,, nan for investment all OF my
na,nines During this time you have
not chosen TO do anything for your own
support or mine and ] have paid for your
entire maintenance In the last two
years, when have been nome. iulfll!'nS