Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-13
EACH PARENT FILES SUIT
Mr.. and Mrs. O. O, Bassett of Washington
Start Divorce Proceedings,
WIFE IN OMAHA, WHERE SHE HAS CHILDREN
Preacher Named by Husband who
Goes Into Capital COurt-wOman
daughter of Ex-senator
Rice Of Arkansas.

Mrs. Fannie Rice Bassett. daughter OF
ex-senator Rice OF Arkansas and promi-
nent socially in Washington, ID. c., is an
applicant for a divorce in the district court
Of Douglas county. Her husband is Charles
c. Bassett, who is employed in the govern
ment geological survey and now a resident
of Washington. Mrs. Bassett came to
Omaha about a year ago and has resided
here since.
Her petition was filed February 10 and
was Immediately withdrawn by her attor-
neys Baxter & Van Dusen.
The principal charges are cruelty and
nonsupport for the last two years. Mrs.
Bassett has with her their i've children,
four boys and one girl They are all I'M
der 10 years of age and it is understood
the principal fight viii be over their Gus
tody. Word was received Sunday that Mr..
Bassett had begun divorce proceedings in
the courts of the District of Columbia and
also was asking the custody of a part at
least of the children.
Baxter Talks of Case.
After the receipt Of the following special
telegram from The Bees Washington COR
respondent last night Judge Baxter was
called up by telephone from his residence
at the Madison hotel and asked if Mrs.
Bassett could be interviewed.
e Positively not we're her own words
today" said the Judge. Mrs. Bassett told
me today when your reporter called on me
she would not see a newspaper man now.
She would not talk If she did see one but
would only refer the reporter to me-"
Judge Baxter was apprised of the con-
tents of the Washington dispatch.
Yes, we understood the suit had been
filed, he said. but I did not know on
what grounds. I am not familiar with
the details of the case as your telegram
gives them. knew nothing of this
preachers identity. ] will say this much:
They in the east have been making threats
of cross-suit ever since we filed our case
in Omaha. They first tried to get Mrs
Bassett to consent to give up some of the
children to her husband, all of whom she
has with her and all Of whom she win
keep. She will never surrender one Iaail-
ing to secure the children by peaceable
means, they. then resorted to threats. These
ugly charges were made against her but
she was still informed they would be with
drawn and the husband would not file suit
If she would give UP the children. Still
she refused. Finding they could not coerce
or intimdate her, they filed the suit but
as we filed first ours will be tried first in
Omaha, and 1t will be tried very soon. too.
That suit in the east is wholly for the
purpose of furnishing Mrs Bassett, whom
they still hope they may be able to crush
into submission to their demands"
Preacher In the Case.
(From a Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c., March 12.-(spe-
cial Telegram )--What promises to be a
most spectacular divorce case has heen
begun in the courts of the District Of Co
lumbia through cross bills that have Just
been filed The parties to the suit are Mrs.
Charles c. Bassett of Omaha and Charles
c. Bassett of Washington. Mrs. Bassett is
represented by Hillary Herbert, ex-secre-
tary of the navy. Bassett, who is a topog-
rapher in the geological survey, began suit
against his wife on statutory grounds, NAM
ing E. Lawrence Hunt formerly pastor OF
the Washington Heights Presbyterian
church of this city. The charges against
Hunt becoming known to members of his
church, he was compelled to resign, later
being called to a church i'm Brooklyn. Mrs
Bassett went to Omaha year or more ago
and having secured residence. there began
/ suit against her husband on the ground OF
nonsupport and extreme cruelty. Mrs. Bias
| sett is said to be an accomplished woman
Mr. Herbert said today the case would be
| fought to a finish that his clients name
| might be freed from sensational charges
| made against her by her husband. 1t is
stated that when the congregation oi
| Hunts church heard of these charges yes
! terday. there was intense excitement, and
in all probability he win be asked to re-
I