Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-06-05
'jurg Says as Is Liable lat fslfangsd
uIte's Debt.
FREeDin aAs COST NM $4,000
Under Separation Pact She Was to
Got Lump Sum Of $4,000 and Re-
nainder in Monthly instaiinnents on
Condition That She rf'ina No D.
vorce Suit.


Senator Thomas c. Plat will be COM
PEELED to pay 10 the law firm OF Marsh.
Winslow & Viewer $247l expenses.
which they paid for Mrs. Lillian Jane
way Plat. the senator's wife. during
the tendency Of her suit for separa-
ton. This was the verdict of jury
In the Supreme Court which heard the
Testimony in the case.
1t developed that Senator Plat
agreed to pay his wife $75.0Y0 in lieu
of all her claims upon him. besides
recognizing hr as the absolute own
er Of TiOsa Lodge at Highlani Mills.
and of several other smaller pieces
OF property which he had decided TO
her while they Were still good friends.
No Divorce Suit in New York.
In return Mrs. Plat agreed not to
bother him any more with any de-
mands for her support. She also
agreed to drop her suit for divorce.
which she had already begun in this
county, and to institute no other ac-
ton for divorce against him anywhere
or at any time based on charge of
adultery. But she reserved the right,
specifically set forth in the agreo-
ment. to sue him for a divorce at any
time in any state where desertion or
other cause than adultery is recogniZ-
ed as good ground for a divorce suit.
Mrs. Plat did discontinue her suit I'm
TINS county. and as far as the sena-
tors lawyers are aware she has not
yet begun any suit for divorce in any
Cthfr slate up to date
The agreement also sets forth just
how the $4,000 was to be paid to Mrs
Plat. There was a fight over this.
but Mrs. Plat vas finally persuaded
TO accept the trustee arrangement on
condition that she should select her
own trustee. She chose for this Of
fIce one Of her lawyers. Daniel De
Wolf Viewer. Under the trust agree.
ment Mrs. Plat received S.. 900 cash
down. and Senator Plat agreed to paw
her $4,000 year in monthly install.
ments OF $SSS.35 for five years These
payments have been made regularly
to Mr.. Waver, as trustee. since the
agreement was signed.
LAWYERS Come to Terms.
According to the testimony of Mr.
Viewer. it was agreed that the senator
would accept responsibility for and
pay all debts incurred by Mrs. Piattl
up to the date Of the actual separa-
ton. But the senator demurred to,
paying the bills which she had con-
tracted after that date. except such
as wera for the. ordinary necessities
which a husband Is legally RESPONSE
Bile for. He demurred in particular toI
bills from Tifany's. from Altman 81
Co. and she was informed that shel
would have to pay those bills herself
out Of the cash payment she was tOl
get when the agreement would bel
signed. Mrs. Plat. who sat in onel
room Of Mr. Viewers Office. while
Judge Hatch sat in the next, Wcverl
acting as the transmitter. refused
point blank to accept any such pro-
posal. She wanted all her bills paid
to date. so that she could start fresh
with the full cash payment in hand.
Mr.. Viewer testified that an UNDER
standing was arrived at between thel
two lawyers. by which Viewer. in ,hel
name Of his firm agreed TO accept re-
sDcnsiliEty for all Mrs. Pfatts debts
since September 20. and to pay thsm|
on the promise by Judge Hatch that
he would see that the firm was REIN
bursed. Mrs. Plat was then told. &C.
cOrdins to Viewer. that she was 10 got
the $4,000 in full. without deductions
for her debts. and on that undersi and.
Ing she signed the agreement and got
tine $25,0o0.
The bills footed up between $1,000
and $s."0s. according to Mr.. Viewer.
and included several items for dia-
monds and expensive gowns.