The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-09
Prof. Grant Grain, of Ottawa
University, Sued.
Miss Ethel Mckee Seeks $25, 900
Y for Breaking Vows.
BUILT HER A HOUSE.
Then for Seven Years Kept Her
Waiting.
The Professor Says Suit Is
Commercial.

Ottawa, Kan, Sept. 9.-Seven years
of 'engaged-to- married" life with
the picture of a little two story house
hanging on the wall and love letters
some of them with checks in them,
coming every week saying that the
wedding would be soon, isn't an I'M
pleasant chapter in young woman 5
biography. But to have it closed with
the announcement that the man VINO
sent the letters, the promises and the
checks, has been married more than
eight months to another woman, ism
a pleasant ending of that chapter.
That, with the fact that she was
driven away from home because she
loved him, briefly, is the story of MISS
Ethel Mckee of Kansas City after she
met Prof. Grant H. Cain at the busl-
ness department of the Ottawa unlver-
sity at ottawa, Kan, seven years ago.
A suit for $4,000 for breach of prom
Use was filed in the district court OF
Franklin county, Kansas, here Dy MIS-"
Mckee, 2214 Forest avenue, Kansas
City, a stenographer in the Aragon
building, against Professor cram nov
nresident of the ottawa Business co.
1ege Miss Mckee alleges in her petit
fion that January H. 1903, Professor
Grain promised to marry her and that
the wedding was set for three months
from that day, which was Easter.
Eight months ago Professor cram was
married to Miss Irene Macy of OttaN a.
He was principal of the business de-
Anartment Of ottawa university ano
Miss Mckee was a student there When
she asserts the marriage contract was
made.
and we were to be married Easter
1909" Miss Mckee said last night IN
Kansas CITY. but he kept putting II
off and putting it off, so we have never
married. Tie has made me a nervous
wreck and nearly broken my heart
believe I should have some compehsa-
ton for a broken heart.
ooh I guess it was because L was
inst a young, green, country girl
was 81 then-and didn't know any pei
ter. I went from near Butler MO, 10
the Ottawa university business depart
ment in the fall of 1902. l became ac :
quainted with Professor cram he u
ways was so considerable OF new Wo-
men students and he just showed me
everything and made my lessons 81
easy for me that I just couldn't help
liking him.
1T wasn't long after I came there
until Professor Grain TOOK me 10 Que
of the football games. Everything was
love after that. He used to take me
for rides in his rubber tired buggy
drawn by Old Prince-a large, black
horse that was a favorite with all the
girls. Well. we rode about town in the
buggy in the evenings, and in the day
time he assisted me with my short
hand and typewriting. 1t was diff
ferent world for me 1 was in love.
never had loved anyone before and
just would do anything for him. Janu-
ary u he asked me to marry him and
of course. 1 accepted. 1 loved him and
he told me many times how much he
loved me- TWO weeks latter he bough!
me this and Miss Mckee displayed a
sparkling ring, "and Immediately he
began to build a new house at 832 Ce-
dar street, where we were to live. Eas-
ter we were to be married. Easter
came and he said he believed it would
be best if we postponed the wedding
] consented.
Then he obtained a position for me
in Kansas City and 1 came here. Ev-
cry week, however. he came here &c
see me and promised every visit that
he would be ready to marry me soon
] waited. Then l went to my home tC
live with my parents. He wrote affec-
Tomato letters to me and kept remind
ing me of his promise. Two years ago
my parents told me that l would have
TO leave home or give up my cores
pondence and visits with Professor
Grain. 1 consulted the professor and
he said that he would support me ana
for me to leave my home. Only Tues
day he wrote me letter and sent mt
a check for S."
Miss Mckee did not know until las
night that the professor was married
Her attorney said his marriage made
her case stronger.
Il believe the suit is more or les
commercial in it's nature" Professor
Grain said. II was engaged to Mis-:
Mckee but 1 have letters which will
show that she broke off the engage
ment willfully, two years ago l hav,
not seen nor written to her for tw,
years. 1 don't see how she can collec-
anything