The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-08-04
ACCORDING TO A REVIEW
OF THE MANY DISPOSITIONS
He charess Her With Many Direlie-
tions, and She Comes Back
With Counter Charges.
WIFE WILL FIGHT ALLEGATIONS
On Which the Major Bases Ills Plea
For Divorce-Both Parties
Are Prominent.

Wooster. Ohio, July 31.-This city
during the present week will be the
scene of the trial of what promises to
be one of the most bitterly contested
divorce cases ever heard in Ohio. The
case is that of Major Elmore f. Tag
gart, Sixth infantry, United States
army, versus Mrs Grace Viola Culver
Tsggart. Great interest attaches to the
case because of the sensational charges
made against officers of the United
States army and allegations contained
in the petition as to the conduct of the
wives of officers at army posts. Major
Taggart is about 43 years of age, Mrs.
Taggart about SO, both of fine appear
ance, the wife a handsome brunette.
Major Taggart was born at Orrville.
Wayne county, Ohio, where his aged
parents now reside on a farm. Major
Taggart is a protege of ex-President
Mckinley, who when a Congressman
representing the Eighteenth district
in the eighties, appointed Taggart a
cadet to West Point. 1t Is said that
he has very creditable military rec
ord, having served with honor in the
Philippines as major of volunteers.
During the last two years he has been
transport quartermaster on the Sher-
man, plying between San Francisco
and the Philippines.
BRIDE WAS PROMINENT.
Mrs. Taggart was a daughter of
Charles and Viola Culver both de-
ceased, prominent and wealthy resi-
dents of Chicago. Her father died in
Chicago in 1890 Mrs. Taggart's in
come is said to be the income on $780,
000.0 900. Her mother came here during
the summer Of 1904 to visit her daugh-
ter and died of bronchitis at hotel in
the city.
The Taggart marriage, on Dec. 80,
1890, was reported as one of the brill
liant society events of the winter in
Chicago, and was attended by military
men, officials and leaders of society in
great numbers.
The petition of Major Taggart shows
that he was welded Dec. 30, 1890, at
Chicago, to Miss Grace Viola Culver, a
long a resident of the Windy City. The
bride of 1890 was leader in her social
set and is still very handsome wom-
an Two children came of their union
Charles Culver Taggart, aged IL
years, and Elmore F. Taggart, aged 7
years.
SERIOUS CHARGES.
Major Taggart first charges Mrs.
Taggart with desertion, alleging that
on July 6, 1903, she left their home,
taking with her the two children. He
says that she went to San Francisco,
where she was guilty of gross. improp-
er and immoral conduct in permitting
men to take Liberties with her. In his
first petition Major Taggart asks for
divorce and custody of the children.
Major Taggart later on made an
amendment to his petition, in which he
named Captain Louis Bash. He de-
clared that in 1896, at FIT Thomas,
KY, Mrs. Taggart had received the at
tentions of Lieut. Rither. He also
named William Taggart, cousin, of
Orrville, Ohio. and declares that for a
lllne III l5UU his Wlle COUSOTleu WlLH
William Taggart at their home, in Orr
vile, Ohio. He AYERS also that in No
vember or December, 1900, at the home
of her mother, in Chicago, she was un-
faithful to her VOWS with one Spencer.
The acts with Capt Louis Bash he al
leges, were committed in Manila, in
August, 1901 and that she was on
many other dates and occasions guilty
of misconduct with Bash.
TAGGART NAMES FORTESQUE.
Major Taggart further AYERS that on
May Z, 1903, Mrs. Taggart was guilty
with one Granville r. Fortesque, at
their residence in FIT Leavenworth,
and also upon other dates and occa-
sions during 1908.
In his second cause of action, Major
Taggart charges his wife with gross
neglect of her marital duties; that she
squandered much of his money for in
foxicating liquors for herself and 9TH
ers and purchased many presents and
articles of clothing for William Tag
gart, named as correspondent He
declares that she was addicted 10 the