Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-06
Allegations in Suit to Recover
$4,000 Damages.
ALICE W. SLATER'S CHARGES
Chief Engineer Of Local Corporation
is Defendant.
WAS INTRODUCED AS HIS WIFE
Letters Said to Be in Possession Of
Counsel-Handwriting on the
Envelopes.

The declaration of Alice W Slater in a
suit for alleged breach of promise against
Cotle L. Heath, chief engineer of the Poto-
mac Electric Power Company, a corpora
ton controlled BY the Washington Railway
and Electric Company, asking damages in
the sum Of $50, 600, was filed in the Supreme
Court of the District Of Columbia today by
Attorney Albert Sillers, counsel for the
plaintiff. 1t is stated by the plaintiff that
ION or about June 10, 1900, she was of
good, moral character and had received
decree of divorce from her husband, Geo.
R. Slater, in New Bedford, Mass, upon
the grounds of adultery and non-support.
She declares that she was residing with
her parents in that city and solely de-
pendent upon herself and her family Tor
her livelihood, and that the defendant. Z:
l.. Heath, was an unmarried man and had
been acquainted with plaintiff for long
time prior thereto and assisted her so far
as to partially pay the expenses through
the courts for divorce from her husband
and besought her to marry him and be-
come his wife.
Mrs. Slater adds that she we'll knew she
could not become his wife until six months
after the decree of divorce had been signed
between herself and her husband. she con-
scented at the end of that time to become
his wife.
After the six months had elapsed she
AYERS, Heath again proposed marriage 10
her, which offer she accepted, and Heatn
contracted to marry her and take her from
the home of her parents, Were she was re-
siding, at Fair Haven, Mass. She went to
the home of Heath's mother at Plymouth
n H. where he introduced her as his al
famed wife,
Remained at Home.
The couple remained at the home of
inpa
about two weeks. THE plaintiff and de-
PENDANT then went to Auburn. N Y, where
they lived together as man and wife, she
believing that under the laws of New York
she was his common law wife and he as
surfing her that such was true.
1t is added that by reason of the alleged
''evil and malicious conduct on the part OF
the defendant, Heath, she is damaged In
the sum Of $4,000 besides the costs of the
suit
Mrs Slater adds that confiding in such
promise she has always remained and still
is an unmarried woman; that July 81, 1905,
she and the defendant. who had always
lived together as husband and wife since
she left her home, came to Washington and
the plaintiff was introduced by Heath Ito
the whole world as his wife, and the de-
PENDANT desiring to further provide for the
plaintiff purchased for her a house situated
of 2235 1st street northwest in this city,
and paid for the same sum OF 81 500 writing
to her when she had returned to her
fathers home on summer vacation IN
1905 that he desired to make happy
home for her and had purchased this prop
erty.
executed by her his wife to secure the
deferred payments on the purchase money
| for the house referred to, according to her
statement. The plaintiff declares she came
| to Washington and resided In the nome
| believing it to be hers or that she had an
interest in it as his wife, and remained
there for a period of about year.
After leaving this city again December
| 10, 1906, and upon returning to Washing
| ton to again take up her home, she was
| informed by the defendant when he met
her at the depot that she had better leave
| town; that she would be arrested II she
remained her, as he was married man Nv
| ing with his wife in the house that she,
| the plaintiff believed to be her own home.
In Notification Left Town.
THAT by reason of the statements and
persuasions and suggestions by the de-
PENDANT to the plaintiff that she was not his
wife, she, in modification. humiliation and
| disgrace. left Washington, and by reason
| Of the '.evil and malicious conduct on the
| mart of defendant" the plaintiff is damaged
in the sum of $4,000.
| Letters From Defendant.
| Attorney Sillers says he has in his pos
session thrty-one letters written by Heath
| to Mrs. Slater, he aalleges, and addressing
her in such endearing terms as my dear
| little wife," etc. These, Mr.. Sillers says.
he will offer in evidence at the proper
| time
1t is said that Mrs. Slater went to the
office of the attorney in the belief that she
| was Heath's common law wife here as in
| Mr.. Sillers was to employ him to enter
\ suit against Heath for maintenance, she
! fully believing he was her husband. The
| attorney Informed her that the common
| .rria hold good in the Dis
! trict of Columbia. The envelopes In which
the letters were sent from Heath to MRS.
! Slater are said to be in his handwriting,
| and addressed, Mrs. Cotile l.: Heath.
Statement by Attorney Ambrose.
Mr.. Cote L. Heath, the defendant named
| in the suit was seen today in his office at
| the power house of the Washington Rail-
way and Electric Company. 14th and b
streets, by Star reporter. When inform
| filed against him by Mrs. Alice w. Slater
| through Attorney Sillers he declined to dis
| cuss the matter, but referred the reporter
to his counsel. Mr.. William E. Ambrose.
| The latter when seen at his Office this after
| noon made a statement in defense OF his
client He said Mr.. Heath met the plaintiff
| as single man and cultivated her friend
| ship with the view OF bringing about a
! change in her mode Of life. He promised
| that under certain conditions he would
marry her after a stated period had elaps-
| ed, but Attorney Ambrose declared Chat tne
| conditions were not fulfilled and he was
| compelled to forsake her company
| Mr. Ambrose added that on the occasion
| of Mrs Slaters recent return to this city
after visit to her parents In New Eng
| land he informed her Of his intention to
| avoid her company in the future and gave
| her $3.50, with the advice that she return
+, to her home in the north. Attorney Am
| brose added that she misused the money
and has now entered suit against Mr..
| Heath He added that the other allega-
| lions in the plaintiffs bill will be fully re-
! piled to in the answer of defendant.
Plumbers Enter a Protest.