The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-29
Bessie DeyOe Brings an Action
for 100000
Against Millionaire as Balm for
Lacerated Affections.
DEFENDANTlN EUROPE
His Attorneys Obtain a Stay in
the Proceedings.
The Plaintiff Is Living Quietly
in New York.

New York, Nov. 29.-Frank jay
Gould, the multi-millionaire who was
| only recently divorced from Helen
Kelly Gould, has been sued for $780,
900 by young dancing girl known to
the public as Bessie Devoe."
The fact that service in this action
was obtained upon Mr.. Gould just be-
fore his departure for Europe two
months ago was revealed by a special
cable dispatch from London. The
London report was confirmed here
later. 1t was also learned that siren
uous efforts were made to press the
action to trial in the courts, but that
stay was procured. Lawyers from
the office of Delaney Nicoll appeared
upon the scene in behalf of the young
m1lllona1re. That they feared an at
tempt to secure judgment by default
while the defendant is travelling in
Europe seemed evident from the mo-
ton made within the last two weeks
pleading for time.
Bessie Devoe' is now living in
New York, but she has kept in Sc
clusion since this action commenced.
In the last year her name has fire.
quently been linked with that of Mr.
Gould. Erroneous reports named the
young woman jim connection with the
suit for absolute divorce which was
started by Mrs. Helen Kelly Could
but she was not referred to in the pa
pers, it is asserted. But in the early
spring when Mrs. Ben Teal was in
based upon the alleged intimacy be-
tween the pretty dancer and the
multimillionaire society man.
Not for Breach of Promise.
The cable dispatches say that the ac-
ton is a suit for breach of promise.
This was denied by persons acquainted
with the facts. 1t was pointed out that
Uoc rri od 10
July, and that the alleged facts upon
which this action is based are dated
back several months. Therefore, any
promises that might have been made
could not be used as a legal basis for a
marriage contract because Mr.. Gould
was still a married man.
But it is asserted that heart BALM
is sought; that the fair complainant
holds that her 'affections' have been
damaged to the amount of 5000 900. Just
how the dancing girls heart was in
jured by Mr.. Gould has not been made
clear.
Business associates of Mr. Gould re-
fuse to talk about this case. Close
friends and those in his personal SER
vice could not be seen. But one friend
who is acquainted with the facts had
this to say:
Mr.. Gould was served with papers in
suit by Miss Devoe. but it was not 2
suit for breach of promise to marry
LAS a matter of fact, I believe that
Mr.. Gould actually has forgotten all
abou+ the case. He left for a tour of
Europe shortly after the papers were
served and has visited London and
Paris. He is now touring somewhere
upon the continent with friends"
Does Mr.. Gould intend to fight this
suit. or will he allow a default?'
Gould Will FIGHT 1t.
"Mr. Gould's lawyers already have
taken action which should answer that
question. Within a week or ten days
a stay has been obtained on a motion
made in the regular way"
but the public was not informed of
ibis case at alp
"The attorneys in the case made no
special efforts to keep the matter
quiet, as far as Mr.. Gould was con-
erned, because he regards it as ridicu-
ltus. The motion was made in the
regular course of the case and If the
newspapers overlooked it that is their
own affair."
Efforts were made to secure details
CT copies of the records from two of
the attorneys in the Office of Delaney
Nicoll, who are known to represent
Mr.. Gould in personal matters. They
could not be found. The name of the
attorney for the dancing girl was not
revealed.
Bessie Devoe was missing during
tie progress of the trial of Mrs. Ben
Teal. Attorneys for the latter made a
special appeal to the court for an or