The Cairo bulletin., 1909-01-02
PLAINTIFF GETS
100000 AL|M0NY
WIFE OF RUSSELL GARDNER
ALSO GETS CUSTODY OF
YOUNGEST CHILD.
OESERTION THE CAUSE
Court Rules That Long and Studied
Absence Constitutes Desertion
Gardner Took Trims
On Yacht.

Cairo friends OF Russell Gardner
the multi-millionaire buggy manu-
,facturer of st. Louis will read with
regret the following sad sequel OF
the steamboat trips made to Cairo
and points south on Mississippi river
iby Mr. Gardner as told in the st.
Louis Globe Democrat of yesterday:
| Just thrty-one hours and thirty
| five minutes after ner suit was filed,
Mrs. Annie Gardner was yesterday
granted divorce from Russell f.
Gardner, the wealthy buggy manu-
facturer. Alimony in gross of $780,
1000 was given to Mrs. Gardner by
ther husband. the details of the trans
fer being arranged by the lawyers or
husband and wife after the decree
was granted.
Mrs. Gardeners Statement
Mrs. Gardner was the FIRST witness
In support of her petition. She told
that she was 40 years old and had
u. ,.
told that she first noted a change in
the attitude of her husband toward
her seven years ago, when he began
to take long trips on the river in his
little stern-wheel steamboat He
spent a great deal of time on the
boat she said.
where did he go?'' Gov. johnson
asked
"Oh, anywhere from St Paul to
New Orleans, Mrs. Gardner
answered.
Mrs. Gardner told that for five
years her husband had not lived with
her as his wife, and declared that
eighteen months ago he admitted to
her, when she overheard a telephone
conversation. that he had sustained
relations with other women.
Mrs. Gardner testified that her hus
band had taken her to Dr. Marco Ray
Hughes for treatment for neuras-
thenia or nervous breakdown. I'll
had borne Mr.. Gardner six children, "
Mrs. Gardner said and my illness
was due simply to his treatment of
me"
Mrs. Gardner declared that she had
not brought the suit until every Ell
fort to re establish their relations
had failed, and until he had told her
that he did not care for her
Judge Foster asked Mrs. Gardner
as to her husbands financial condl- !
ton lie has property in Arkansas
and fine business" she answered !
Il don't know anything more than
that except that he spends a lot OF
money"
Decree Granted.
ut has been shown tnat the piaia-
tiff is the injured and innocent
party said Judge Foster, "and that
he defendants studied absence con.
'titutes desertion. | have heard this |
'u!t promptly because it was in EFF.
ect default case. II is we'll. where
IRE concilable differences exist and |
liycrce becomes necessary, that the |
lew status of the parties toward So
'icty toward their relatives and to /
heir children, he fixed as soon as
possible The children have a right /
y know as soon as can be what their
lew relations are"
Judge Foster in addition to the de-
rec, granted Mrs Gardner the Gus
ody Of the minor child, Rogers.
ged S.
When the question OF aIlmony was
discussed. while Mrs. Gardner was
n the stand, Attorney Johnson tod
he court that 100000 had been
greed on by the lawyers.
Mr.. Gardner has promised in ad-
ition to provide additional sums for
he support Of the children. Gardner
Interrupted
After the decree was granted Mrs.
iardner's lawyers assisted the court
lerk. as is usual, to prepare the
memorandum for the record entry
read as follows:
Decree granted with custody of
ne minor child. Rogers. and alimony
! gross of $1,000 II