The Detroit times., 1909-12-06
WOMAN ELOPES
WITH CHAUFFEUR
Wife of Wealthy Chicago Man Is
Later Deserted in Utah-Hus.
band Willing To Forgive.

CHICAGO, Dec. b.-CharloS II.
Stebbins. president OF the Lake Shore
Sand company, Was deserted by his
WIFE, Kate u Stebbins. about two
months ago when she eloped with
his chauffeur r. NJ. Van Wormer Mr.
Stebbns immediately retained private
dete ctiveG and has spent money freely
- locate The missing pair i'm the hope
OF inducing the woman 10 leave Van
Wormer and return 10 him
She now is said 10 DO in Salt Lake
City. Utah. and 10 have been left
without funds by Van Wormer Mr
Slcbbins is out of the city and is re-
ported To- have gone TO Utah TO plead
vtth his wife TO return to- Chicago
with hln.
Tie story OF the elopement was re
ported 10 Capt. Thomas Kane of the
ShC iiicjd-ave police station, but Mr.
S;ehbns succeeded in having the
facts suppressed.
Mrs. Stebbins was arrested in the
automobile of I.Cuis \. Hele, her ~
torney. in front OF the lawyers res-
dence,- 27l3 Pine Groveaye, Sept. 13
On q warrant sworn out by her hus-
uand in Judge Groves court charging
o,sorderly conduct Mr.. Heie was in
the automobile with her and was mis-
taken by the over jealous detectives
for Van Wormer. for whom they held
warrant charging assault and bat
lIeIl .-
Woman Taken to Station.
The woman was taken to the Shef.
ficld-ave. police station in Mr. HSile's :
machine. where he proved his own
identity and secured Mrs. Stebbins
release on bonds. Later the case
against Mrs Stebbins was nonsuted
upon the refusal Of Mr. Stebbins TO
prosecute. He said that he swore out
the warrants to prevent the elJpc-
ment OF his wife with Van Wormer.
Mrs. Stebbins was induced to return
TO her residence. 5l7 Surf-st.. in the
Blenheim apartments. and promised
her husband that she would have
nothing 10 do with Var Wormer any
more. For two weeks everything was
apparently harmonious. and then one
day Stebbins returned 10 the apart
ncntG to find that his wife had packed
I'D her personal effects and had 'et
the city.
Private detectives were placed i'm
raedistelv upon the case and found
that Van Wormcr. who lived in a
North Clark-st, rooming house had
also disappeared. Mrs. Stebbins had
taken enough money with her To pay
the incidental expenses of elopement
and II was another two weeks before
her husband succeeded in having her
located She was found in western
city with Van Wormer.
Deserted by Her Chauffeur.
They ran short of money and Van
Wormer tried To get position as
chauffeur Later the couple parted
and then for the first time Stebbins
allowed his wife to know that she
was being closely watched by mon
who were in his employ. Since then
he has been trying TO get her TO re-
turn to Chicago.
Mr.. Stebbins moved his household
effects oHt of the apartments at441
Surfst. and broke up Housekeeping.
Since the elopement OF his wife ne
has lived at the residence of sister.
Ever the ianitor al the building was
not told of the new location selected
b. Mr. Stebbins. II is believed thai
his purpose in moving was 10 leave
nothing in the path OF Mrs StebbiTe'
return 10 Chicago and that he desired
their new residence TO be in a locality
where nothing was known OF the un-
happy chapter I'm their married life.
Attorney Heile refused yesterday t0
either affirm or deny that his clirnt
had eloped with Chauffeur Van Wor-
mer
See Mr. Stebbins if You want any
il formation about his wife. said Mr..
Hcile.
Is it not true thaj Mrs Stebbins
is in the west with Chauffeur Van
Wormer9" he was asked
MIR. Stebbins knows where his wife
is and can answer for her" said he.
Says Mrs. Steobins is H.
Attorney John T. Waters. counsel
for Mr. Stebbins. acknowledged Tho
truth OF The reported clopemcnt of
Mrs. Stetbins with the chauffeur
Mr.. Stebbins is ready and WILLING
to take his wife back to their hom',
said he. Mrs Stebbins has not been
we'll for long time and her action Is
the result Of her consequent mental
condition. Mr. Stehbins realizes
this and desires 10 protect her"
Al the Blenheim apartment building
I. was learned that the warrant sworn
out for the arrest of Van WormCr on
the charge OF assault and battery was
the outcome Of an attack mde upon
Mr. Stebbins by Van Wormer