The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-26
Husband Gets Decree-W Wife
Alimony of 81, 900.
Attorneys for Mrs. Cooper Want
a New Trial.
SUED FOR $4,000.
VIII Ask That Money Allowance
Be Increased.
Case Nay Be Taken to the
Supreme Court.

Even honors were granted this morn
ing by Judge A. w. Dana of the Shaw
nee county district court in his decision
to the contestants in the Cooper divorce
case, which was notable because unusual
and extremely featured by odd condi-
tions
The divorce was granted to John G.
Cooper, the plaintiff. He was ordered to
pay the defendant. Clara Stookeye
Cooper, the sum of 81, 900 as alimony,
and to also liquidate the court costs of
the case.
Neither got exactly what was asked
for. Cooper wanted the divorce, but
wished to escape aHmony and costs. Mrs.
! Cooper asked for $4,000 in her cross petit
ton. The honors are about even, al
though there is considerable sentiment
among people who followed the case
that Cooper got of cheap"
In handing down his decision Judge
Dana said: 4 grant the defendant the
alimony of $1,000 because in marrying
Mr.. Cooper she made a sacrifice. mean
particularly in relation to the place
which she held in I.eaVenWorth, where
she had her own business, a millinery
esta blishment, and was earning clear
about $25 each week. She gave that up
when she became Cooper's wife. This
unlucky year of her Iife's experience
will naturally keep her from either liv-
ing in Topeka or going back to Leaven-
worth The chances are that she will
go among strangers. I granted her this
alimony so as to aid her until she gets
another start in her business
The court officers were unable to fig
ure up the costs of the court in connee-
tion with the case, but it will range
somewhere between 500 and 5000. A
great many witnesses were used and they
were kept here a number of days. BY
the time Mr. Cooper gets the alimony.
the costs and his lawyers paid, he will
find that his divorce will have cost him
in the neighborhood of 81 600.
Cooper, a wealthy retired farmer, was
about 50 years of age, while Clara
StoOkeye was Sc, when they We're mar
ried in Kansas City on April 10 1905.
Cooper's home was in this city at Ninth
and Jackson streets, just north of the
First Baptist church, where he still re-
sides. Miss Stookeye was conducting a
millinery establishment in LeavenwOrth.
Cooper's wife left him on May Is. A
] little while later Cooper filed a suit for
| divorce charging gross neglect of duty,
extreme cruelty and fraud in the mar
riage. She returned a short While later
! with a cross petition for a divorce al
/ legins extreme cruelty, want of support
and fraud and MISREPRESENTATION in the
ante-nuptial contract. The case con
sumed week and a day in trial. Every
/ detail was narrowed over with nne-
tooth comb Charges and counter
charges galore were made, even to the
extent of conspiracy on his part. that
his wife married him to get his money.
( widespread attention was attracted Dy
the proceedings and the court room was
daily filled with spectators. The age Of
the contestants made the case especially
W. W. Harvey, J. B. Larimer and
John Martin We're the attorneys foE
/ Cooper. In speaking Of the decision Mr.
Harvey said today We are satlsfed.
/ We expected the decision to be about
as it resulted. There is no complaint
from our direction"
". r. Hazen, Mrs. Cooper's attorney
announced that he will file a motion for
a new trial on Wednesday. 1T does not
/ suit US at ALL" he said. I'VE will also
ask for a modification of the judgment
/ that is an increase in the alimony; W.
may go further than just asking for a
new trial About that we do not wish
to say anything now however"