The Detroit times., 1910-12-10
CHILDREN DlACkEN
MOTHERS NAME
Tell Court Parents Infatuation For
Young Man Drove Father Away
and Broke Up Home.

tice Otis court, Friday morning, Har-
ry H. Williams. pianist in the Majestic
theater left the court room In tears
because he was compelled To give tes-
timony involving his mother, a wo-
man OF 4S years, and Henry A. ker-
stem, a divorced man, about 30 years
old, who Is now paying 50 week to-
ward the support of his wife and two
young children.
The case was that brought by Ker-
sten to compel Williams TO pay for
the painting OF his mothers home. at
No. $50 Seyburn-ave. Kersten claimed
that he had been hired by the son to
paint the house but the sou denied
his. and testified that Kersten, while
living in the Williams home, offered
TO do the work If he were supplied
With the paint The son bought the
paint and kersten did the work nights
and mornings.
"KeTsten's statement that | brought
him to the house 10 do the work is
absolutely untrue, the son testified.
The first | ever saw Of this man. |
round him in our home drinking beer
with my mother. Mother said he was
an old friend and l thought II all
right then. because | couldn't dream Of
her doing anything wrong. But |
have learned lot since then, and he
has broken up our home. II was
through this man that mother drove
father out Of the house, and now we
are TO lose the place. because the pay
ments have run behind.
This testimony of the son WAS cor.
roborated by another son, Albert a
strapping big fellow, who threatened
to give Kersten a beating IL he would
step out into the corridor. Albert
did strike at Kersten once, but his
mother stepped between them.
This man came into the house TO
board Albert said, and he Is the
man who led my mother TO act as she
has. She became crazy about him.
Nothing was too good for him. She
even spent money on him, and the
money we gave her To make payments
on the home was squandered in some
way, and now we find that the pay
ments are SO far behind that the mort
gage has been foreclosed'
Albert made shocking charges OF
conditions in the home after Kersten
kersten and Mrs. Williams. He al
legged that as a result of this conduct
on the part of Mrs. Williams the
sons left home and are now boarding
with a married sister All these chill
dred take the fathers part:
My father. Henry Williams, is an
honest, hard working man." the mar
ried daughter said Father and
mother lived together happily for 80
years and then to have this awful
thing come into the family has just
broken my heart. 1t hurt me to 20
on the stand this morning and testify
against mother, but | had TO. | know
the boys have done everything they
could for her, and stuck TO Der until
couldn't help but see how things
were going"
I'm deciding the case Justice OFT said
that he had heard enough to convince
him that Kersten was responsible for
the conditions in the Williams home,
and that he was entitled to no pay,
as he was living In the house and
making 1t his home.
No decent man would live as you
are now, and my advice to you is TO
get away from there" the justice said.
While Kersten was being chided in
this manner, Mrs. Williams, who is a
woman OF pleasing appearance arose
and asked if she could say a few
words.
mo sit down. | have heard enough
from you" the justice replied.
Kersten was raging when he left the
court. and was heard to remark re-
fiecting on Justice OFT. The justice
will probably institute contempt pro-
ceedings
Kersten figured in a sensational di-
vorce case in Judge Murfin's court
more than year ago. His wife,
Frances. charged that he beat her al;
most every week and never supported
her properly. making 1t necessary for
her to go home TO her mother TO get
sufficient food. She said her husband
would frequently bring home choice
food. which he ate himself, while the
children went hungry.
Mrs. Kersten was given decree,
with So per week alimony and the
Youngest child, while the eldest daugh-
tr. aged s. was given to Kersten's ia.
Their. the Judge holding that Mrs.
Kersten was not able financially TO
care for il. The child latter ran away
10 her mother. and charged that her
father beat her cruelty. Aft9r try
ing court scene. during which the
piven to the mother.