The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-15
g. - 49, - = I IS
PUTS ON BRAKES.
Mr.. II. H. Leavitt on the Down
Grade.
Probate Court Stops Mad Ca.
reer. With Guardian.
NEGLECTED HIS WIFE.
Also Devoted Much Time to Con-
suming Liquor.
Spent $150 Monthly Allowance
in Riotous Living.

Because Harrison H. Leavitt is an
| habitual drunkard, spends his money
| on other women than his own wife IND
allows the $4,000 Leavitt estate to de-
preciate IN value, Judge SchOCh will APP
| point a guardian to look after the man.
business affairs. 1t took just three min
utes for a jury in the probate court
| to decide this morning that Leavitt IS
| incapable OF managing his own bust
ness.
Leavitt was we'll started on the down
| track when his father died two years
ago. When his mother died last July,
Leavitt put on more steam and con-
surned large quantities of whisky and
drugs. Mrs. Leavitt left an estate vai-
| ued at $4,000. By the terms of her
will, Harrison H. Leavitt, the only
heir, was to receive the life residue
from the estate, which consisted of ten
Leavitt and his wife lived in tho house
| at S1S jackson street-next door to
John G. Cooper-and the nine other
properties Melted an income of $3.50 a
month.
But little Of this money ever reached
Mrs. Leavitt, so the woman testified
before the jury. The wife identified i
suitcase filled with empty bottles
which had contained tincture of ginger.
This the label said. contained SO per
cent alcohol. Mrs. Leavitt said her
husband often drank as many as eight
bottles of this drug a day. He would
awaken from an apparanetly peaceful
slumber to find his system needed re-
freshing. Then he would drink anoth-
er bottle of ginger. Sometimes Leavitt
became so reckless in upsetting chairs
and disturbing the quiet of the nome
that it was necessary to tie him in
bed.
Then another woman appeared on the
scene. Grace Randolph, who sometimes
answers the name of Blanche owens,
went to work at the Cooper home. Size
had signed one of the famous Cooper
employment contracts and while per-
forming the duties in the Cooper hor1e'
met Leavitt. Their friendship became
more congenial as the days passed.
Leavitt appeared to all but forget lbs
own home in an effort to make tie
Randolph woman happy and comforta-
BILE. Mrs. Leavitt testified that her
husband received letters from the wo-
man, that he gave her money and
urged her to get a divorce so he could
marry his new love. But Mrs. Leavftt
declares she will never do it.
Each day Leavitts condition became
more critical. The $3.50 monthly in
come vanished. The property suffered
from lack of attention. Several of the
| houses were advertised for sale be-
cause the riotous son of a rich father
forgot to pay the taxes. Then Leavitt
arranged for extensive credit for the
Randolph woman at the department
stores. Here she bought goods with
out stint on the Leavitt credit.
1t was when this condition was
reached that Mrs. Leavitt complained.
She insisted that she herself collect
the rents. The plan was in effect one
month. That month Mrs. Leavitt gave
her husband SIS to pay the gas bill.
Instead Leavitt gave the money to the
owen woman to buy a new dress.
Frequently Leavitt was seen on the
streets in company with the woman.
At other times he made extended
visits to her apartments in the Keith
building Much of the time he was
unable to work. At other times he
declined to work. 1t was in the last
few months, Mrs. Leavitt testified, that
her husband has refused to give her
spending money or to allow her credit
at the stores.
John G. Cooper, DR.. H. H. Keith
and others testified concerning Leav-
tits apparently hopeless condition.
Cooper was sure Leavitt was drunk
every time he saw him. He also re-
membered Leavitt's gifts to the Ran
dolph woman and testified that his
neighbor recently telegraphed Grace
money to return to Topeka from
trip.
Leavitt and his wife were married
II years ago. They have lived in To-
peka about four years. Mrs. Leavitt
stated that she did not want to
leave her husband, but wanted an ar
rangement whereby the estate would.
be protected.