The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-29
FRANK GOULD'S REPLY.
Has Been Filed in Answer to. Bessie
De Voie's Suit.

New York. Dec. 29.-Frank Jay
Gould has filed his reply to charges of
fraud and misrepresentation which
Bessie De Vote, an ex-actress, brought
against him in her action for half
million dollars damages in connection
with an alleged promise to marry her.
Gould's answer is a general denial
of the accusations. 1t is of the formal
character usual in such cases, in order
to preclude the possibility of the
plaintiffs obtaining judgment by de-
fault 1t was not put in, however, IN
til his lawyers had exhausted their eff
forts to obtain a further extension of
time, in which they twice were success
full.
Miss De Votes lawyers hold commu-
nications. of a most affectionate char
acter. alleged to have been sent by
Gould to the young woman. In num-
Der they are sufficient to make full
sized volume.
Here are some of the letters:
New York Yacht Club. Nov. 8. 1908.
Dearest Bessie: So at last you did
write Frank Perhaps if you keep
on writing it that way it will come
more natural in talking l like it. any
way. / have been so busy with the
kids and also about a small dinner I
had at the house Saturday evening
that 1 could not come in. You are as
sweet as ever. and sweeter, for you
write me when l owe W u couple of
answers. Have also been rather put
out by something 1 heard about the
case (divorce). Will tell you what
next time I see you. Please don't feel
badly al anything 1 said. dear. 1 think
but please don't. May come over to-
morrow for little while. Will write
more later. Yours as ever.
(Signed) FRANK.
In order to qualify himself for the
company of the young woman, who is
took lessons in the Terpsichorean art
and was nicknamed by his friends in
the Seawanhaka Yacht club the dane
ing commodore"
In reporting his progress Gould, it is
asserted, wrote TO Miss De Vote:
Flagship Helerita.- July 8, 190S:-Dear-
est Bessie: Did you see this notice of the
Dancing Commodore before? What
would l make a week in vaudeville, or
had I better go into the legitimate?
Received your third letter this a. m.
1t made me feel better. Could not come
to New York on Monday, but today feel
little better, probably on account of
the cooler weather and your note.
certainly miss you very much. You
must know that. Bessie but even if you
you. 1 understand they are going to
senG up again to Canada for more wit
nesses, but there is nothing they can
get, so l am not worrying. Much love
20 you, deaT, ana regards TO anOther.
Yours. FRANK.
address care of Mr.. Howard Gould,
on board steam yacht Invincible)
Reference herein to their going to
send to Canada for more Witnesses is
believed to apply to the lawyers for
Mrs. F. ]. Gould in her divorce case
Mr. Gould wanted his little daughters,
Dorothy and Helen. to meet Miss De
Vote, their future mother" so he took
them to the Slayback home, as the fol-
lowing letter shows:
S34 Fifth Avenue. Monday-My Own
Dear Bessie: 1 saw Mr.. and Mrs Stay
back last night after dining alone. and
Mrs. Slayback wants you to come over
next Sunday in time for lunch and
spend the night If you care to. Then,
Sunday afternoon, as the Riddles" are
with me. I will bring them up to Sew
street to call on you. Won't
you do this? Say yes" please. Had
my photograph taken for you today and
hope to have proofs next time 1 come
over, perhaps tomorrow or Thursday.
Am going out with my brother, Ed, this
evening. All my love and kisses to the
only Bessie, from her
FRANK