The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-06-15
GRACE YAM SIUDOIFORD
TIRED PAYING HUSBANDS
DEBTS, She TELLS LAWYER
Has Even Had to Settle Some of
His Club Obligations, She
Declares
BALKS AT LATEST BILL
Grand Opera Star Refuses to
Pay for Chest of Silver
Ex-Spouse Bought Here


well-known opera singer, plainly but
stylishly attired, occupied the stand
in Judge Searles division OF the cir
cult court hcst of Friday morning,
when she was under cross-examIna-
ton in the suit brought against her
by w. A. Sturgeon & Co, at one time
well-known Woodward-ave. jewellers,
who seek to collect for a chest OF
silver purchased in 1908.
Miss Van Studdiford was cross-ex-
emined for TWO hours ana taken over
the entire transaction q dozen times
or more, but always told the same
story, that the silver was purchased
by her husband, Charles Van Stud
diford, and given TO her, and that he
should pay for IT, AT times she be-
came very much annoyed at the repe-
tition OF questions put to her, and
snapped her answers out an2Nly, but
always to the point and with consid-
cradle effect
II just wish ! were a man." she
whispered excltedly. to her attorney,
Mcnamara, as she left the stand
I'll bet that man wouldn't talk to me
In that manner. His insinuating and
insulting questions get on my nerves
so that can hardly contain myself"
Discussing her experience, during
recess, Miss Van Studdiford said: IF
IL were not that | had paid so many
of my husbands debts | would pay
this to avoid any more appearances
in court. That young attorneys In
sinuating ways arouses all the fight
there is in me. / cannot stand much
more OF this
Miss Van Studdiford, at the opening
Of her examination, said that she was
an opera singer, which profession
she took up Is years ago. She was
married in 1897 to Charles Van Stud
diford. and divorced In 1909. The
goods for which she is now being
sued were purchased in 1903 by her
husband, she said, but she was pres
ent and assisted in making the selec-
ton. She said she always supposed
they were paid for until after her d.
yorce, when she received two bills
from her husband, which had been
sent TO him, and by him forwarded
10 her. He at that time. she said adj
vised her TO pay no attention to the
matter. as he would attend to It,
In addition to the silver, the bill
also included brushes, combs, a mir
ror, and diamond stick pin valued at
$50 The pin, she said, was worn
by her husband, and the other goods
she knew nothing OF.
Where is the silver now?" the
singer was asked
MY sister has IL. | gave 1t to her
as security for money loaned
And you live with your sister,"
Yes"
Then you have the use of It. Are
are not paid for?"
No" the witness retorted with
considerable spirit. Il always paid
my debts. and paid my husbands
until | could pay them no more.
even paid his club bills"
Miss VanStuddiford produced the
bills which were sent to her hus-
band, and they were addressed to
Charles VanStuddIford. and the writ
ing was later identified as that OF the
firms bookkeeper. With interest the
bill now amounts to more than $500.
A witness for the defendant will be
W. A. Sturgeon, who made the sale
OF the chest of silver. He will testify
that the sale was made 10 Mr. Van
Studdiford, and he was always looked
TO for the pay lie will admit that
the goods were first placed In Miss
NanStuddiford's account. as she had
an account there, but were later trans
ferred 10 separate account carried in
Mr. VanStuddiford's name. The In
terests of the firm of Sturgeon & Co,
are being looked after by NJ l. Brabb,
who is winding up the business.
Miss VanStuddiford will leave De-
troit at the conclusion OF the trial,
and hurry TO New York. where she is
preparing for a 30-weeks' tour in
vaudeville