The Detroit times., 1911-09-07
TESTIMONY PILES
UP THAT HALL IS
HARD DR|NKER
Many Witnesses, Including Two
Women and wifs's Father, Tell
of His Debauohes- Plaintiffs
Case Is Finished.
Attorney Davis Denies Being Drunk
With Defendant or Having Seen
Latter intoxicated.

After having occupied two entire
sessions of Judge Hosmer's court, IN
piling up testimony In an effort 10
known Lansing politician and business
man. now defending a suit for divorce
brought against him by his wife.
Agnes Hall. daughter of H. w. Hard.
ing, a wealthy Detroit business man,
drank to excess and abused his wife,
Attorney Ralph Wilkinson. for the
plaintiff, announced shortly before
noon. Thursday. that his case was
completed.
Seldom In the annals Of the Wayne
circuit court has such an array of
testimony been produced against a
defendant in q divorce court, as has
been brought out during the progress
Of this case. During the first days
hearing. the husband. with unlighted
cigar In mouth, sat beside one Of his
attorneys, Samuel Davis, Of Lansing,
finding continual amusement In the
charges brought against him by his
pretty wife, lawyer and client laugh
ing and joking and attracting consid-
erable attention. Mr.. Davis ceased
LIE iduSuAuk WuCn lWO WlluCooCo tOot-
flied that they had seen him intoxi-
Gated with the defendant on the
streets of Lansing.
AS the evidence continued to ac-
cumulate against him. Mr.. Halls man
ner also changed, and. Thursday, he
could find little humor In the pro-
ceedings. Most OF the morning he
was on his feet beside his attorney,
Judge Van Zile, directing the cross
examination, suggesting questions,
giving advise and taking notes. He
apparently realizes that he is en-
gagged In a grim fight for the posses
sion Of two children, whom he pro
fesses to love dearly. Mr.. Hall also
has maintained throughout the trial
that he wants his wife 70 return to
him, but she has repeatedly declared
that she will not 20 this.
George w. WhippIe, q Detroit lum-
herman, was the first witness called
Thursday morning. He was asked II
he had ever seen Frank Hall drunk
I'm the Downey house. Lansing, ard
he answered in the Affirmative.
How drunk was her' Mr.. Wilkin-
son asked.
"I don't know how to qualify the
word, drunk the witness replied.
was he 50 drunk that you refused
him admittance TO your room?"
"He was"
"How many times did you see him
drunk?" Prosecutor Van Zile asked In
ross-examination-
ct don't think you want TO go into
that" the witness said.
"Yes I do, answer the question.
the prosecutor continued.
well, I saw hi ma great many
times" Mr.. Whfpple said and Van
Zile asked no more questions.
Mrs. Speaker, OF Detroit, told OF an
occasion when Mr.. Hall came to the
home of a sister OF Mrs. Hall, when
a card party was In progress. This
was after Mrs. Hall had left her nus
band.
"He was drunk when he entered the
house." she said, "and In very un-
tidy and dirty condition. HIS snirt
was soiled and was pnlled out OF MS
trousers. He smelled strongly OF
liouor and was ugly tempered.
spoke to him, but he merely grunteo
at me. He remained only few mih-
utes," -. u,s.
Anna "A owen, a frequent visitor In
the Hall home. Q She said sne mao or
fan seen Hall drunk in his home, mao
seen him stagger and had heard niin
(Continued ON Psse Threeo