The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-25
Obtained Divorce While She
Was Mentally Incompetent.
SECRETED PART OF PROPERTY
Alleged That Woman Was De-
frauded in Settlement.
DisgrGntIed Chicago Lawyer
Caused Present Action.

Because, it is charged. Lulu Pierce
was insane and not legally responsible.
Judge Dana is today asked to set aside
the divorce decree granted two years
ago to Gilbert J. Pierce, a wealthy
Rossville and Topeka druggist. 1t s.
charged that the wife was defrauded
in the settlement of property rights and
that Pierce and his lawyers kept from
the court the fact that Mrs. Pierce was
mentally unsound.
At the time the decree was granted
March 2, 1910-Pierce was engaged in
the drug business in Topeka 1t was
believed that he owned property valued
at $4,000, but inventories presented ut
the time the divorce was granted,
showed only limited estate. AS ALI
mony, Mrs. Pierce was given a farm IN
Usage county valued at $4,000 and on
which Pierce placed an 81, 100 lien.
In his petition, Pierce represented
that his wife abandoned him. al
though at the time she was of unsound
mind and under the care of relatives
in Chicago, it is claimed. Through
Michael Feinberg, a Chicago lawyer.
the woman is said to have been in
duced to sign certain waivers and stip-
ulations of which she did not know
the legal meaning. After the granting
Of the decree, Mrs. Pierce was ad-
named as her conservator. Then
came more litigation. The Chicago
lawyer levied on the Usage county
farm for a $1,000 attorneys fee and
the conservator imme ediately began a
new action in the Shawnee county
court to set aside the divorce decree.
On the witness stand today. it was
claimed that for seven years preced-
ing the divorce, Pierce had gradually
segregated his property in an effort TO
defraud his Wife in the payment of
alimony when a divorce should be
asked. It was also claimed that Pierce
knew his wife's condition at the time
his petition was filed and that the real
facts were kept from the knowledge OF
the court
Decided Property Away.
AS evidence of Pierce's efforts to hide
his property, it was shown that he owns
property on Buchanan street valued at
$500. the deed for which is in the name
of Bertha Lantz, q relative. This wom-
an, it is charged, never invested a dol
lar in the property and knew nothing
of the title until the present case was
filed. Property in Highland Park ad-
dition and in Rossviile is also said to be
owned by Pierce as is also several
farms. These titles are in names Of
other people, it is claimed, and a true
inventory cannot be obtained
By the defense, it is charged that
several of Mrs. Pierce's relatives knew
of the divorce proceedings and urgec
the drafting of the journal entry under
Which a settlement was made. Now
they ask to have the divorce set aside,
that the wife might participate in the
entire life savings of her husband.
Pierce is not attending the present
hearing. 1t is claimed that he has re-
Gently been living in Leavenworth, bUf
has failed to appear in the present
trial. Prior to his action for divorce,
Pierce conducted a drug store in ROSS
vile and also in Topeka. 1t was be-
lieved by many people that the drug
gist was quite wealthy; and it is t.
determine the extent of this purported
wealth that the wife's conservator askn
the setting aside of the former divorcs.