The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-16
Denies Neglect Charge; Says He
Treated Wife Well.
ABOUT WEDDING TRIP
Couple Visited France and Eng
land on Honeymoon.
Never Denied Family Anything
Witness Declares.

Constantine G. Chumos, the wealthy
Greek confectioner being sued by his
wife, Maria Chumos, for divorce and
alimony before Judge Dana, was placed
upon the witness stand as the last wit
ness in his own defense, this morning.
His cross examination has been reach
ed but it is not likely the case can be
completed today.
In reply to questions the Greek gave
a brief outline of his American career
in studied English. At II years of age
he left Greece in 1885, landing in New
York, where he remained four years.
Then he came west to Kansas City,
where he spent year, coming to To-
peka in 1890 to open small confection-
cry shop He landed in New York with
$3.50. He has not had a cent left to
him and is now rated worth $4,000. In
1904, after he had become prosperous
and well established in his store at S04
Kansas avenue, Chumos went to
Greece, where he married his present
wife. For a month the newly married
couple travelled about Italy and France,
spent a week in Paris, some time in
England and sailed for America, land
ing in New York, where stop of four
days was made. Thence they went TO
OIL City, Pa. the home of A. Chacona,
the wife's brother, who is now here SUI
perintendnfng the divorce proceedings.
From Oil City the couple went to Chi
cago, thence to Topeka.
Tells About Home
The five roomed upstairs residence
which was provided, and which has
been under question for the last three
days, was described by Chumos as hav-
ing been newly papered and the wood
work vanished for them. Rugs and
furniture were purchased and the home
fitted in a style, nothing fancy but
h Irufp fio1 snr11f OrF
able He drew a diagram of the five
rooms for the judge and explained why
his wife and children had been placed
in one room while he had a bed in the
room of his sister. Until the first child
was born, Con and his wife occupied
one room, his sister another, and his
brother Peter and wife another. The
wife had to be moved from the room
with the baby because there was no
conf lection for gas stove to keep a
suitable temperature for the child. She
was moved into the sisters room The
room was too small for two beds, so
Con had to leave his in the sisters
room and she screened her section off.
tomary in Greek families to have their
beds in one room in row. That's the
way we have been brought up" he said.
He further said that he could not take
the only other room available because
it was directly at the head of the stair
and a timer poundings in the morn
ings, would keep him awake, as he
came home at 8 o'clock a. m. from the
store and went back at O'Clock.
The burden of the direct examination
of Chumos was in relation to his provision
for his wife and babies. Did you ever
deny her anything in your life or ever
refuse her credit in any store?" asked his
lawyer. Il never did, he answered. In
cidents of generosity were drawn out.
such as the purchase of $12 worth of
stockings for her and the children at one
time, the purchase of three and four pairs
of shoes at different times, the dentist
bill of So. Il told her she could go any
where and get anything she wanted-just
to tell them Con- Con so they would
and they would let her have
anything-maybe 1 would be out of town
and I wanted her to have everything"
Did you ever try to buy her a hat?"
asked the attorney.
Il wanted to get her a hat She had
two old ones at home but I wanted her
to go out and have a nice hat But she
wouldn't have the hat. No she said L
can't put it on and l would spoil it. II
don't want to go out, and she would not
have new hat"
Chumos also said that his wife had free
access to the two cash registers in the
store and could take what she wanted.