The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-29
MUST SHUN CUPID
John G. Cooper and Wife Are
Denied a Divorce.
Judge WhitcOmb Declares Both
Are at Fault.
CARE FOR BABY COOPER
Allowance Will BE Made Tor
the Child.
Wife Also TO Be Provided Tor
in Adjustment.
CARE FOR BABY COOPER

John G. Coopers marathon record
in matrimony was brought TO SUI
den end this morning when Juuse
Whitcomb refused to grant a separa-
ton in the sensational Cooper divorce
suit. Provision will be made however
for the child, which was given IN the
custody of the mother. Also the ante
nuptiaI agreement will stand, allowing
Mrs. Cooper a half interest in the
jackson street property; and she Will
probably be given a permanent allow
ance. Cooper must also pay the fat
attornev's fees and the court costs.
Both Cooper and his wife were in
the court room when Judge Whit
comb announced his decision. Cooper
smiled as the court read the lengthy
document, but afterward he admitted
that there was little consolation in the
decree In fact Cooper was quite con-
fident it was a hollow nightmare and
objects to a curtailment of his pur-
suits of peace and happiness. In the
courtroom with Mrs. Cooper and the
baby. was her sister, Mrs. Mott, also
once a candidate for Cooper's heart
and hand. Mrs. Cooper said she was
satisfied, but did not want to go INTO
details until she had consulted her at
torney and learned what it was all
about. Ed McKeeVer, for the plain
tiff, and Carr Taylor, of defendants
counsel were both absent and j. B.
Larimer was the only attorney in the
case who was present when the decis-
ion was rendered. He would not dis
cusS the verdict.
In his decision. Judge Whitcomb de-
clared that both parties were at fault.
He contended that the ends of justice
would be better met by denying a di
vorce, but stated that the warning wife
and husband would not be compelled
to live together. He mentioned that
both parties have given and received
more abuse and profanity than the
laws of etiquette prescribed. But the
court thought it was an even match
and refused to place the blame. The
judge criticised Mrs. Cooper for bring
ing the suit when her husband was
absent and without a conference after
the reconciliation in December. The
court dwelt on the fact that Cooper
had been twice married, once sued for
breach of promise and that these mat
ters had been discussed at length in
the newspapers. He doubted if Mrs
Cooper had signed the ante-nuptial
agreement with her eyes shut. He
pointed to the industry of Col Booge
of the Home Comfort, being able, to
find Cooper suitable and dutiful wife.
Few Saints in the World.
There are few saints left in this
world" said Judge Whitcomb, in the
course Of his remarks, "and when a
man and woman of mature years en-
ter into the marriage relations. on an
acquaintance of less than week. they
have no one but themselves to blame if
some breakers are encountered. The
obligations of such a relation are not
to be lightly undertaken or easily dis
carded. Society is not without a sub
stantial interest in such a transaction,
especially where the details have been
widely exploited, as in this case, and
believe it is the duty of the court in
such a situation to hold the parties
to their bargain as far as possible"
The decree will not be made up for
several days A trustee will be ap-
pointed for Baby Cooper. A substan-
tial sum will be set aside for her sup
port and maintenance and the child
will receive a good education and the
comforts of life. Also a monthly sti-
pend will probably be provided for
Mrs. Cooper. Under the terms of the
decree, both parties to tie action will
have the right to convey and dispose
of property without the consent of
the other.
In the general details, the verdict
of the court is a decided victory for
Mrs. Cooper. To be sure, the court
did not award her a fat verdict But
DIONluG0 AOI NlG CllllQ ana neFSeiI.
That, she stated today. was all she
wanted. At Cooper's death, the plain
tiff will inherit under the terms of the
ante-nuptial agreement and will re-
ceive a one-half interest in the prop
erty at Ninth and Quincy streets. val
ued at $4,000. Further, Cooper is by
the decree denied the right to re-
marry. This was one of the most Sc
we're shocks to the defense of the en-
tire verdict. Cooper's search for his
affinity is denied. Through the years
to come the aged Don Juan must
struggle through a cruel, heartless
world without a loving dutiful help
meet whom Cooper still declares lives
and waits for him. Just where she is
and what is her name, Cooper him
self is not certain. But Cooper is GER
tain she exists. When the court,
therefore, denied him to continue the
search even unto the fourth and fifth
and sixth party, Cooper's heart welled
with sorrow.
May Be Appealed.
There is a possibility that the case
NAV go to the supreme court. The
defense has not consulted and will
make no statements at this time. Some
time next week the provisions of the
decree will be discussed and final de-
cision reached as to the conclusion of
the case.
4)rotestS against an allowance for the
child In fact they advocated that
noiicy in the trial of the case. But an
allowance for the plaintiff? Never. Bit
terIv they opposed even the provisions
Of the ante nuptial contract. They
contended that the plaintiff should in
herit nothing. Attorneys for Cooper
arqued that the aged defendant had
teer, wronged and grossly mistreated
They pleaded with the court to grant a
decree in his name. But no one sur
Used the shock that was to follow.
certainly lawyers argued. a decree
S,,ouId be granted. But when the court
declared Cooper's love affairs had
reached the last chapter. the defense
-asped. Cooper's bald head, that his