The sun., 1906-12-05
mrs. RIVERS WANTS ALIMONY.
LAWYER TELLS OF THE DANCING
MtSTERS CONDyCT.
says Tic vas Fond OF Tall Brunettes MIR.
RIyers's Lawyer Talks Of Mrs. Rivers
and Everett T.. Wheeler Also Tells
why Nr. Rivers Didn't Put wheeler out.


Argument was heard by Supreme Court
Justice Kelly in Brooklyn yesterday on
motion for alimony and counsel fee pending
the trial Of the suit brought by Mrs. Martha
L. Rivers against William Pitt Rivers, the
dancing master, for an absolute divorce.
Mrs Rivers asks for $50 a week almony.
Former Judge Bailey, who represents the
plaintiff said the couple had been married
in 1882 and have two children, William A.
Rivers, % years old. and Mdgie Rivers.
% years old. Judge Daley said that while
Mr.. and Mrs. Rivers had lived under the
same roof in the Knapp mansion, Williams
burg, yet their relations had not been those
Of man and wife for ten years and that the
two children had taken the part of the
mother and had even made affidavits against
their father. He said that Mr.. Rivers had
a fondness for tall brlInettes and frequently
had one in his orchestra and even in the plays
which he presented. He also said that Mrs.
Rivers had a very strong objection to this
one brunette in particular, and that Mrs
Rivers had objected to her daughter, Midgie,
taking part in the plays in which the tall
brunette appeared. He said that the de-
fendant in company with another man
had gone to the French students bal! in
Manhattan, where they met two women
and escorted them home afterward. He
told of one occasion when Mrs. Rivers was
i'll in bed when she was annoyed by the
barking OF her pet dog. She rose from bed
and with her daughter and several witnesses
went into the bowling alley and saw woman
leave by lower door. shortly fol owed
by Mr. Rivers, and both jumped on a car.
He cited a number of other instances
wherein conduct on the part OF the defend
ant WI as refer ed to-
Lawyer Eugene V. Brewster, who ap-
peared for the defendant. said that Mr..
Rivers was amply providing for his wife
and children, and that there was no reason
whv he should be compelled to pay alimoDy.
He said that his client had sued Everett E.
Wheeler for $50 900 for alternating the af-
! fections of his wife. He said that Midgie
Rivers had visited him at his office and was
told that her father would discontinue the
suit if Mrs Rivers would give up Wheeler.
| Al this suggestion, Mr.. Brewster said,
Midgie became angry and said, NO, we will
| not give up Mr.. Wheeler Continuing, Mr.
| Brewster said that Mr.. Wheeler had taken
| Mrs Rivers and her daughter to Saratoga,
! TO Palm Beach, and to raCetracks. theatres
| and restaurants. and had been "A very good
, friend OF Mrs. Rivers.
why doesn't the husband put him out?-
! asked Justice Kelly.
| HE is not ig enoug gh. said Mr.. Brewster
Mr.. Brewster said that Mr.. Rivers had
received anonymous letters since the suit
! was Legun, and that he was sure efforts
| to ruin him were being made by one or more
wealthy men who were willing TO protect
! the interests of Mrs. Rivers. In fact, i'm his
| affidavit he says that the plaintiff told him
| that there was wealthy lawyer who was
! willing to back her to the amount of $50, 900
| TO get square with the defendant. Mr..
| Brewster said that his client was almost
broke, as all he had at present was about
papers and reseryed decision. .,s,.----~.,