Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-11-04
Howard Gould Denies In
f|uencing Mr.. Chapman.
Makes Reply TO Accusation Of
Wealthy New York Woman.
intimates He Was Accused For
Highly Improper Reason.

New York, Nov. 3.-Following the ac-
cusation of Mrs. Melville D. Chapman
that her husband was induced TO go on
yachting trip by Howard Gould, a
denial was issued Yesterday by both
Mr.. Gould and Mr.. Chapman through
their lawyers. Nicoll. Anable, Lindsay
& Fuller, OF No. 81 Nassau street. Mrs.
Chapman in her affidavit filed in her
suit for separation. also asserted thar
Mr.. Could used his influence to per-
suade her husband to desert her. Mr..
Gould i'm his statement says:
Il have known Mr.. Chapman for a
number Of years and have always been
and still am. his friend. But / deny
most cmphatically that by word or
deed | ever influenced him, or sought
to influence him in his most unfortun-
ate martial affairs.
Il know of course, in a general way
that relations between Mr. and Mrs
Chapman werc strained. but Mr.. Chap
man was most reserved in his reference
es to his domestic affairs. and neither
asked or received advice of any sort
from me.
Il have not seen the court papers in
the Chapman suit, upon which the
newspaper notices, which appeared this
morning, arc said to be founded. Bat
l do know that any charges therein by
which l am accused of inducing Mr.
Chapman to desert or slight lis Wife
fer yachting trips with ME and my
friends are absolutely false.
"Mr. Chapman was with me on my
yacht on several occasions since his
hpfn hot,
Mrs. Gould and myself. and Mrs. Chap
mans annifnosity both toward me and
Mrs. could was incurred Iy reason Of
the fact that invitations to Mr. Char
man, for reasons which were considered
good and sufficient at The time, did not
include Mre. Chapman.
since thC. disagreement between Mrs
Could ard me became public, however,
have Ieon informed that Mrs. Gould
and Mrs. Chapman have become fast
friends. and It was even intimated to
HE that unless Mr.. Chapman acceded 10
his wiiC'S demands my name would be
brought into the case in the manner in
which II has been. l still refused. how
ever. t" have anything to do with Mr..
Chapnlan's affairs in the way of influ-
encing Tim in his relations with his
wife. ami my course in the future III
that regard shall BE- the same as III
the past.
-; is ar.-tr"nt'y supposed that on
e." ~, II of y public trial in which Inc
differences now existing between me
ana Mrs.. Gn;li.i viii be passed upon by
II" courts would urge and Possibly
assist Air. Chapman to yield to the fl
Eancial demands of his wife to avoid
the dstasteful ana unlescrvcd public
lily which has come to me i'll the Chap
man suit. did not. however, fail in
with this plan.
"N'hcthe" Mr.. Chapman considered
TIC course | have adopted in my own
affairs in turning Il deaf ear to over
lures for settlement as a good one to
follow in his own | do not know. From
ever. | believe that he as we'll as | pre-
than for tribute"
Mr.. Chapman. i'm denying his wife's
allegations. says:
at is absolutely untrue that my
friend, Howard Gould. at any time in
fluenccd me in my conduct toward Mrs.
Chapman. AS the matter is in the
hands If my lawyer, John r. McIntpcr,
/ DO not intend to discuss the affair in
the newspapers. When the truth comes
to ne known, however. l believe my
own conduct toward Mrs Chapman will
be amply justified.
"I;ut however this may be, it will
certainly be sho wnthat whatever l did
or said was wholly uninauenced by any
OF my friends. and | am entirely salts
fed with the course I pursued l feel
as Mr.. Gould doubtless does. that pro-
c AeGings in which such false and sour
rilous charges were made should not
be settled out of court. and think that
the best answer which can be made to
the unaccountablv vicious and biased
Of some Of the newspapers is
a thresfing cut Of the issues in open
court.
This is also my counsal's view. but
further than what | nave said. / cam
not 90 into the details Of my own case
Al tbic time