The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-26
SEA CAPTAIN is SUING
HIS WIFE'S "AFF|NITY"
Wants $4,000 from Real Estate ManMr Soddard Lauds At
hnities and Tells How They Soar But Hermann the De-
fendant Says "A Tommyrot" She Knows Folks Won't
Understand.

New York, Dec. 26.-George j. Her
mann. wealthy builder and real estate
speculator Of 5103 Fourteenth avenue,
Borough Park, Brooklyn, was served yes
terday with a summons and complaint I'm
suit TO recover $4,000 damages for
alienation. The plaintiff is Capt Charles
b. Stoddard of the Ward Line Steamship
company, who lives at 65l1 Fifteenth
avenue, Borough Park.
The Stoddards were marTieds i'm June,
1902, and two years later Mrs. Stoddard
became the mother OF a baby, which SUBJ
sequently died The death Of the child
preyed upon her and she did not regain
her health until some time later. The
expenses OF an operation caused a big
hole in Stoddard's bank account, and as
Capt. Stoddard was away from home a
great deal on his trips south Mrs. Stod-
dard decided to earn something toward
paying the household expenses. Then
she got employment as stenographer.
typewriter and assistant bookkeeper for
Mr.. Hermann at his real estate Office at
Sixty fifth street and Fifteenth avenue,
Borough Park. Mr.. Hermann has a wife
and four children, the eldest being Wal
ter. who is 2I years old.
PAID HER ATTENTIONS.
Mr.. Hermann. knowing that Mrs. Stod-
dard was weak following her long illness,
paid her many attentions which did not
escape the notice OF the neighbors. Mrs.
Stoddard says that then some one who
was JEALOUS began sending her clippings
from the newspapers referring TO the
Ferdinand Phiney Earle affinity case and
this began TO annoy her.
At times Mr.. Hermann visited the
Stoddard home, which was near his Of
fee. but he says he simply called on
business. Then Mrs. Stoddard was sum-
moned TO the Flatbush police court
charged with making threats against
Mrs. Hermann. AS Mrs. Hermann failed
tc appear TO press the complaint IL was
dismissed. Then Mrs. Stoddard says she
told her husband about Mr.. Hermann's
actions and the way she had been treat
ed by Mrs. Hermann and then Lawyer
A. w. Burlingame was retained to bring
the alienation suit. In his affidavit Capt.
S,oddard says.
That the defendant. contriving and will
fully intending TO injure the plaintiu'
ana to deprive him of tho love, affection.
comfort, society and aid OF said wife OF
the plaintiff, and TO ALLEVIATE and destroy
her love for and affeefion for him here
tofors; on or about the 9Th day OF Novem,
times after that day. and before tho
commencement OF this action, said de-
fendant, at his place of business and az
divers other places. made love to plain
tried by false statements TO induce her
to leave plaintiff and go away and live
with said defendant. and held other COM
munications with her. whereas the love,
affection. comfort and society OF SAID
Ella Stoddard for plaintiff was impaired.
alienated and destroyed. and by reason
OF tho premises the pl0intiff has been de-
prived OF and has lost the love. affection.
comfort and society Of his said wife.
LETTERS SIGNED COSMOS"
Mrs. Stoddard says that she received
may letters from Mr.. Herman all OF
which were signed Cosmos" She says
that he was her affinity and that she
loved him.
"Our love was as pure and holy as the
holiest thing could be. The world will not
believe Il and will not understand II. but
we loved without thought OF nshly things.
We recognized In each other afinities.
Scientists would understand me IL l told
them. IL was not love OF this earth.
We were In tune with each other. He
kissed me and I kissed him, but the
kisses were pure and holy. He never
suggested anything wrong We read to
each other and discussed the wanderings
Of our souls through space as we sought
each other"
Mrs. Stoddard says that Capt. Stod-
dard. after hearing the gossip. called on
Mrs. Hermann and told her he had no OBJ
isction 10 Mr.. Hermann calling upon his
wife 50 lone as she was treated with re-
spect. She said that she did not want to
injure Nj. Hermann who had been 80