The Washington times., 1905-04-17
HUSBAND ACCUSES
OFFICERS CT RANK
Prominent Army Men in
Divorce Scandal.
MAJ. TAGGART COMPLAINANT
president Roosevelt's Cousin Fortescue
One of Those Mentioned.
Went the Pace.
MAJ. TAGGART COMPLAINANT

WOoSTER, Ohio. April I7.-With the
Iiiing> by Major Elmore F. Taggart L
D A, OF an amended petition in his suit
LOT oiVorce, which is on the calendar
ior trial mere this week, further sensa-
uons have been added to a case which
mas been the subject of gossip in mill
tary posts from the Philippines to Kan
saS.
captain Taggart has served at many
stations in this country and in Cuba
and the Philippines since his marriage
TO Grace Violet Culver. a Chicago
society girl, in 1890 He is now daily
expected home from the Philippines,
whittier he sailed in January in com
Tand of the transport Sherman. He
has named half dozen officers of va
nous rank as correspondents.
Among them are Capt Louis H Bash,
husband of Bertha Runkle, whose
Helmet of Navarro" placed her in the
front rank of young American writer's.
before Captain Bash's marriage his
name was spoken by gossips in con
nection with the Taggart troubles, and
on account of it Captain Basn offered
TO release Miss Runkle from her be-
trothal, but she declared belief in his
innocence and they were married on
October q last.
Ihe Taggarts have two children, aged
ten and six, respectively.
Life" in Manila.
In his first petition for divorce Ma ior
Taggart charged his wife with deserting
him on July 6, 1903. while he was sta
TONED at Fort Leavenworth He alleges
that she went with the children to San
francisco. where her conduct was such
that it created scandal.
1t was while in Manila that Major
Taggart alleges that Captain Bash and
Mrs. Taggart figured in episodes which
are recounted in the petition. Major
Iaggart specifies that in August. 1901
Captain Bash was "a frequent visitor at
their home In spite of protests which
he made TO Mrs. Taggart.
In reference to Captain Bash Mrs
Taggart said recently:
Il scarcely know Captain Bash While
i was in the Philippines three years ago
with my husband / met Captain Bash
hut we never became well acquainted |
saw no more of Captain Bash than l
did of many other fellow-officers of my
husband
In the first cause for action named By
Major Tagsart, he says that his wife
was guilty of improper conduct with
Lieutenant Rither, at Fort Thomas, KY,
In 1896. He also reiterates the charges
as to misconduct with one William Tag
gart. and alleges that his wife and vii
liam Taggart lived for time in 1900 in
the iatter,s honae-in Orrville. Ohio.
Major Taggart further arers that on
several occasions in l90s while he was
stationed at Fort Leayenworth; Mrs.
Taggart was guilty of improper conduct
with Col. Charles w Miner, L. S. a
II was about this time, Ma jor Taggart
alleges, that his wife and Lieut. Gran
vile X. Fortesque. relative Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt figured in incidents
which furnish ground for naming the
lieutenant as one Of the correspondents.
Drinking Contests.
For his second cause of action Major
Taggart charges his wife with squanGer-
ing much of his earnings for intoxicants
for herself and others, and for presents
CT clothing and other articles Ia William
Taggart-
Major Taggart alleges tnat his wife
was addicted TO cigarette smoking and
drinking. He instances an occasion al
Fort Thomas when, as he alleges, Mrs
Taggart engaged in a drinking contest
at the canteen with a Mrs Poore and
several other women 20 determine which
could stand the most liquor. lie aIleges
that in 1888 he discovered her with two
men in saloon in MatanZas. Cuba. and
that she was in an intoxicated condi-
tion.
Two years later, he alleges. while lsn-
der the escort Of a man named Spencer
had 10 carry her upstairs and Iu- Es- u
bed. Mrs. TaggarI IL also cnzrgs9 1Sta
conspiring with Colonel Aioer and Cap
tain Poore to cause his confinement y
the Army Hospital a. Fort Le2TeEl sts-tsa
on charge OF acute alcoholism
Mrs. Taggau's Den5ais.
Mrs Taggart IN her answer saa cross
examination, says that she ms always
deneaned herself a faithful SslS Dded4-
ent wife, and charges extreme cruelty
and neglect OF herself and children.
She alleges that while living in Manila
in 1901, her husband struck neg witn
his fists on two occasions while drunk.
She also charges him with improper
conduct with native Filipino woman
named Augustine. Mrs. Taggart alleges
that after returning home from a dance
at Fort Leayenworth to which she hao
been escorted by Capt Poore and Lieut..
Fortesque at her husbands request.
he met her at the door, tore her gown
completely off and beat her savagely.
The following morning, she alleges
he came to her bed, threw the clothing
on the floor and shouted:
You must have been on -- or a
bat last night"