The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-06-26
To FIGHT DIVORCE
IN UNITED STATES
Mrs Bispham Has Won
Twice in London.
AIDED BY CATHOLIC CLERGY
Singers Wife Will Oppose All His
Efforts to Secure Possession of
Son He Once Repudiated.

/ A case which recalls the ancient chiv-
airy of the Roman Catholic Church is
that which David Bispham, formerly OF
Philadelphia, the drawing room singer,
lost a few weeks ago IN the London
courts 1t threatens to become famous
in Catholic circles here and in Great
Britain, for il is more than likely that
the controversy VIII now be taken either
tn New York OF Philadelphia courts for
final adjustment.
When, three years ago, Mr.. Bispham
! instituted a suit for absolute divorce
against his wife, formerly Miss Car
RE Russell daughter OF Gen Charles
Russell. Of Indiana. and society belle
of the National Capital. there was a
tremendous sensation ii musical and
! social circles here and abroad.
Mr. BisDham lost that first case and
/ received q severe arraignment from the
! London judge for bringing charges
against his wife which he did not
| prove.
Last spring he instituted a second
| suit and gathered numerous witnesses,
| among them some Americans tempo
rarily staying In LONDON
! RELIGION Basis of Trouble.
Mrs Bspham. three or four years ago.
/ while visiting in San Reno. became a
| convert 50 the Catholic. faith. and TINS.
ner friends assert, is the whole anlmus
| of her husbands course against her.
| Roman Catholic clergy of London raj
/ lied to the support of the woman IN the
practical way of furnishing her with
! means to obtain the best legal talent
and transfer her case from one 1uris-
| diction TO another
! II seems that Mr. Bispham, many
ia
| wife ard there We're hints of q separa.
| ton Through the solicitations
| friends and of their young caugntt,s
| now eighteen and sixteen, respectiveN
they we're reconciled, and lived together
for q bout two years more, during winch
| period a son was born. This boy IS the
PRINCIPAL feature of the sensational pro-
ceedingS.
After Mrs. Bisphams conversion to
| Catholicism, it IS alleged. Mr.. Bfspham
deserted hsr. and all subsequent oitess
toward reconciliation were based co-iol-
tionally on her returning TO the taitn o.
| her fathers that of the Episcopaiian
When she refused. he instituted the sui
for absolute, divorce, repudiatfng the sor
and naming two correspondents
His Case Eot Proved.
He did not prove his case, and he was
ordered to provide for his wife and tc
restore her TO her conjugal rights.
But the allegations which MIR. Bis
pham had uiadv against his wife, and
his yelled insinua tons against her
morality, aroused the intense indigna
ton of the Roman Catholic priesthood
of London.
sought an asylum in a London convent
while her son was taken by Wen
known community of priests
The wife was prepared with counter
| evidence and succeeded in recruiting
every point when the second hearing
was held She had determined that J.
the case went against her ner son
whom Mr. Bispham now wanted 10 90
tain. and about whose birth ne hac
publicly withdrawn all his former IN
Situations. should never be given up
She had. therefore. arranged that thestt
priests should take him TO aaron
country and rear him in ignorance OF hi'
real name and his unhappy history
Ready to Fight Her Case.
: She was not compelled to go to thes
!, lengths, however and now she Is pre-
) pared to enforce her claims in Amer
can courts if Mr. Bispham is still de
; termined to fight for his freedom.
From a social standpoint, II Is aliege
that Mr.. Bispham has already suffere
: from his attacks on the religion of h
2 wife For three winters he sang al on
) or more of the musicales at the Whit
: House.
Last winter he was engaged by Mrs
Roosevelt but the enga cement was can
celed. 1t was current talk in muslca
/ circles that the treatment which Nj
: Bispham had accorded his wife cause