The Detroit times., 1910-05-14

.lff0it admirers have been accustomed
20 see her. Miss Van Studdiford is
the defendant in a suit brought against
her by w. A. Sturgeon & Co, for
merly the well-known jewelrv firm, for
4 an account amounting TO $42S.50.
A strange anomaly to the uninform-
ed Is the fact that although Miss Van
Studdiford is being sued by w. A.
Sturgeon & Co., Mr.. Sturgeon was by
her side in court, and, with Mrs. Stur-
ReOn, Is entertaining the prima donna
AZ his home during her stay in De-
trOit to attend the trial OF the case.
The explanation Is that Mr.. Sturgeon
Withdrew as a member OF the firm
some time before its stock was sold
70 the Grainger-Hannan Co., and III
reality has no financial interest in
the present suit.
Miss Van Studdiford's season on the
road closed about fortnight ago
and since that time she has been in
Detroit awaiting the present court pro-
ceedings. Attorney james Mcnamara
is acting for Miss Van Studdiford,
and William Lucking for the plain
TITS.
Miss Van Studdiford went on the
stand on the opening OF the case, Fri.
DAY morning, and testified that the
original transaction with w. A. StuT-
E geon & Co. was the selection OF q
chest OF silver by her husband, Chas.
Van Studdiford, and valued at $500,
as gift to her. This was In February
0r March. 1904. and on April IL OF
the same year Mr.. Van Studdiford
visited w. A. Sturgeon a Co.'S store
and purchased a number Of articles
0f 1ewelry and dressing table acces-
Dories. which he sent to his wife as
tprosent. Miss Van Studdiford ac-
knowledged receiving both the chest
fOf silver and the other articles. but
tleciared that she did not know they
had been charged in her name. and in
ffnct did not know anything about the
FINANCIAL end OF 1t, and, therefore, in
replying to the suit absolutely de-
Ielines TO acknowledge the existence
iO1 any such debt. Miss Van Studdi.
lord proved very quick and decisive
Witness, answering questions so quick
AZ as to frequently embarras her own
knttOrney In entering exceptions
Attorney Lucking for the plaintiffs
tried to prove by three young women
bookkeepers and stenographers In the
femploy OF the old firm OF w. A. Stur-
neon & Co., that all purchases made
feither by Mr.. Van Studdiford or his
wife had always been charged to
Grace Van Studdiford. The books
uroduced in evidence showed that such
an account had been carried in the
name OF Miss Van Studdiford for a
certain length of time, when 1t was
tranefefred to the name of Charles
Van Studdiford, the latter making pay
ments until the amount was reduced
20 the sum now sued for, $428.50.
In giving her testimony. Miss Van
Studdiford declared that she always
paid her personal accounts promptly
as she disliked owing bills, and that
she had frequently paid her husbands
bills to save annoyance. She said she
understood he had the reputation OF
being slow pay
The fact that Miss Van studdiford
and her husband we're divorced in
her home city OF st. Louis. Mo-, last
October, while not mentioned in the
present proceedings has a, greater or
less bearing upon the case
Just because / earn my living I'm
public way and am supposed to
make lots Of money, am counted
~ easy victim" said Miss Van Stud
aiford. rather bitterly In speaking of
the case. when court adjourned Fri.
day noon. II feel do not owe this
bill and will fight the case 10 the
end" she added spiritedly.
Miss Van Studdiford was a member
81 the Bostonians opera company
when she met Charles Van Studdiford
then wealthy St Louis society man
They were married and the brilliant
singer retired from the stage. Mis-
fortune overlook the couple, however
and their fortune was entirely swept
away, Mrs. Van Studdlford returning
10 the stage. She was unusually sue
ceagful as a star and her domestic
<tIntions were supposed 10 be OF the
Iabpiest until her friends were start
ma 81 the rumors of separation ant
NnalIy the proceedings for divorce
AR Van Stnddiford filed petition n
Innkruptcy In the 81. Louis courts
Hast previous 10 the granting OF IN,
I|torce 90 his wife. last October
When the singer was In Detroit las
winter AZ the head OF her company
I1e Golden Butterfly" an attach
1k<nl was served upon her in th'
0nme Of W. A Sturgeon q Co, anC
|1f personal belongings seized. Sh'
4rh bond At the time, but later II