New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-14
Wife Didn't Even Know Of It,
She Tells Court.
FALSE, DECLARES HUSBAND
Her Former Counsel Also Says
She Seeks Only to Regain
Lost Good Name.

I'm asking Justice Platzek yesterday 10
set aside decree az divorce witch her
husband obtained against her, Mrs. Estelle
East told the court that the divorce was
granted without her knowledge and that
even after the suit was heard and juds-
mont rendered by default her husband con-
tlnued to live with her. although at the
same time Mrs East was suing for sepa-
ration.
The husband Is Lemue, o. East. head OF
a printing company. The wife began her
suit for a separation In 1910. and East
brought q counter claim for divorce. She
now tells the court that she has just
learned that her attorney told counsel Tor
East to take a Judgment by default IN inc
divorce action. as Mrs. East did not Intend
TO appear So the case wen. undefended
In court
That was in April. 1911. But, il IL alleged,
East continued to live with Mrs. East with
out telling about the divorce until December
26 She was surprised when neighbors told
her about 1t, and she was even more sur
prised when she learned that East had re
married.
East mentioned Nurton A. Babcock, who
10 III HlS tiufltN' III INC uiNpiN' "N''' "'
according TO Mrs last, who denies the
allegations made against her. East eH-
planned when she asked him about this
that he merely put in that charge so that
she could not get separation from him
and that he fully believed in her.
A woman boarder with the wife put In
an affidavit in which site quoted the hus-
band as saying to Mrs. East: Stella. for
give me. | know you are the oest woman
that ever lived. and I am all wrong"
The husband denies all the statements
made by his wife. pronouncing them false
hoods" lie says that she pleaded with
him to discontinue his suit against her.
but that he refused. East declares that the
only time he called on his first wife after
he obtained the divorce was when he went
there TO arrange for the funeral OF an
adopted child Of the couple who was killed
In an accident.
Mrs East's attorney also says that her
statements are "undenlably and unquali-
nedly false" He explains that East In
weighed her into a marriage by going
through the ceremony Of embracing the
Catholic faith. She said that her husband
was subject TO "brainstorms" and that
when in that condition was likely to Kill
her The attorney declares that he was
surprised when East put I'm the counter
claim for divorce, and that when Mrs. East
denied the charge only half-heartedly he
decided that the husbands treatment of
his wife was not due to religious frenzy,
but to her conduct.
lie also warned her that II any witness
I'm the suit testified falsely the court could
send that person to prison. After that.
says the attorney, Mrs. East ceased her
visits to his office and he supposed she had
dropped the case.
! The attorney adds: She is very shrewd
and crafty female, and [ believe this mo-
| ton Is an afterthought conceived by the
| plaintiff In an effort TO regain her reputa-
| ton after she has been thrown overheard
| by her lover, and believe that when she
found herself without a reputation or a
lover she cowardly and dastardly attempts
10 shift the blame TO her attorney"
! Counsel expressed the fear that his po-
! ltical and other enemies would seize upon
! the allegations Of Mrs. East TO inJure him.
Justice Platzek sent the matter TO former
Justice Freedman 10 hear as referee, and
! To sift the charges