The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-06
c. F. BAILEY GETS A DIVORCE
FROM THE WOMAN HITH WHOM
HE WAS SHOT ny DIR. DADE.
Charged Her win Desertion After Proving
Conspiracy In Connection with the
Divorce Action She De.an-still Suing
Her Brother for Putting Up tho job.


PHILADELPHIA, July "a divorce was
granted to-day to Charles f. Bailey, vice.
president OF the Bailey, Banks d Biddle Com
pany, from his wife, Selma Coe Kerr Bailey.
1t was the china to litigation that has in
cluded many suits and counter suits. The
decree, which was handed down In the
Court of Common Pleas, was on the appli-
cation Of Mr. Bailey, who charged his wife
with deaertion.
Mrs. Bailey was the widow Of Channcey
F. Kerr and became the bride of Mr.. Bailey
In November, 1900, The wedding was the
sequel to somewhat sensational ad-
venture in the Adirondacks. Mrs. Kerr
was the hostess at the mountain Gotta &c OF
her brother. f. Holloway Coe, and Mr..
Bailey was one OF the guests. One day
Mrs. Kerr and Bailey we're walking through
the woods. At the same time Coe and
Dr. Dade. another Of the guests, were gun
ming. Unknowingly they came into close
proximity TO Bailey and Mrs. Kerr.
rustling OF the leaves was mistaken by
the g,inners for the movement Of deer
DR.. Dade raised his Winchester and
fred. There were loud cries from the
thicket and the g'inners hurried in the
direction whence they came. They found
Mrs Kerr and Bailey each wounded. Bailey
was wounded in the back. while Mrs. Kerr
was struck in the thigh. Bailey was seri-
ously injured, but recovered after few
weeks. Mrs. Kerr's life was saved only
by the amputation OF her right leg
wedding followed Mrs. Kerr's recovery.
On Jan. 81. 1902, Mr.. Bailey received
cablegram announcing the death OF his
mother in Paris. His wife accompanied
him to the dock and babe him an affectionate
farewell. On Feb. 10 Mr.. Bailey arrived
home on the Tourane In company with
his father and the body OF his mother.
who informed him that Mrs. Bailey was
suffering from nervous prostration at the
home OF her mother As fast as horse
flesh could get him there Mr.. Bailey hurried
to the home Of his wife's mother, at 588
Fifth avenue. There he had stormy
reception
His wife charged him with infdelity and
declared that she had in her possession
written statement to prove it. Mr.. Bailey
thought that his wife was laboring under
delusion due to hysteria.
Her brother, f. Holloway Coe, who was
present, was appealed to. but he sided with
his sister, and remarked: Il have seen the
statement Mr.. Bailey left the house. It
was his Last interview with his wife and the
beginning of long, hard fight for the vindi-
cation Of his name.
Mr.. Bailey coming to this city. retained
John G. johnson, Richard p, White and
Thomas ". Barlo " to defend him. He
several times tried to get in communica-
ton with his wife, but failed. and was
finally informed that she was going to sue
for divorce, on evidence furnished by .
Philadelphia woman. Through counsel re-
peated demands we're ma do for a right to
inspect the evidence.
After many refusals Mr.. Bailey was
shown an aff1da Wit, alta ohed to photo =
graph Of himself. The affidavit was made
before local attorney and was signed
Violet Walsh. The woman swore that she
had accompa MED the man whose photo
graph was attached to various places and
was known as his wife.
Months Of investigation on Bailey's
part followed, and on Jan. rs, 1904, the
climax came when he caused the arrest OF
Z. Holloway Coo in suit for 500 900 based
on charges Of conspiracy and the aliena-
ton of his wife's affections.
Accompanying tne oTuer lot zoo aIToSt'
Mr.. Bailey filed sensational papers, parts
Of which were confessions by William
Virtue. Henry johnson and Maizie Allen.
alias Violet Walsh. Virtue, it was alleged,
was former secretary to Coo. 1t was
alleged that the men, at Goes instigation, had
secured the woman to sign the affidavit.
Maizie Allen admitted she had signed
the name Violet Walsh to the affidavit and
had been paid for doing 80. She said the
affidavit was entirely false and that she had
never known Mr.. Bailey in her life.
The suit against Coe, it is said, Is still
pending. Apparently Mrs. Bailey never
pressed her claim TO a divorce.
After the legal limit Of two years had
expired Mr.. Bailey entered his suit here,
alleging desertion. After hearing before
master favorable report was made.
upon which the decree Of to-day was entered.
Mrs. Bailey inherited 81 100000 from her
father, E. Frank Coe. Her first husband
was rich.