New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-04
WOMEN FIGHT AT COURT
OVER TOE KISSING BEE
Marchese Said Salute Would
Cure Injury, and Mrs. Johnston
Gave 1t, Asserts Mrs. Weeks.
LIAR, REPLIES HER FRIEND
Story of Travels Abroad Leads
to Blows, After Hearing OF
Dual Divorce Suit in
White Plains.

There was a lively set-to in the corridor
of the White Plains Court House yes'eI-
day afternoon. at the close OF the Gay
hearing of the divorce trial or HaTllel
l. Johnston AGAINST Harold l.. johnston
before Supreme Court Justice Arthur D
Tompkins. Mrs. Johnston attacked hei
sister-in-law, Mrs. Evelyn Weeks. VINO
testified that while with her in SWitzer-
land in 1911 Mrs. Johnston had kissed the
foot Of Marchese Ludovico Roccasecca, an
Italian nobleman.
Mrs Weeks. who had been on the staho
most of the afternoon. glared at Mrs
Johnston as Mrs. Johnston was passing
out Of the building. Mrs. Johnston re-
turned. the look and remarked
"You told lie. A deliberate lie.
81 am not a liar" replied Mrs. Weeks
flushing angrlly. II told the truth.
witnesses say that Mrs. Johnston then
struck her sistsf-n-law Oh the chest ana
on the right cheek. when Miss Ahce
Johnston jumped to her sisters ASSIST
ance.
Don't you dare to strike my sister,
she cried Don't you dare"
Johnston interfered At this stage OF 'he
mix-up. Turning to Mrs. johnston ne
said: Grace, don't make show OF your
SELF I'm front OF all these people.
Without further words Mrs. Johnson OF
tba arm OF her father left the building
and the others followed.
Mrs. Johnston In her suit named as CO.
respondent her stepmother. Mrs. Anna j.
Richardson Her father. Milton I. Rich'
ardson. a wealthy property owner OF
Ridgewood. y. j., testified against his
wife and In favor OF his daughter.
Mrs Weeks. called as a witness In the
counter divorce suit Of Mr.. johnston
swore that In 1911 she visited |eNey'
Switzerland. with Mrs. Johnston, and that
Mrs. Johnston introduced her TO the
Marchese Roccasecca and Principe III
Plemonte. known also as Messer d Aiat'a'
and as the Duke d'Alatta.
All were stopping at the same hotel'
according to Mrs. Weeks, and they were
together much OF the time. Walks win
the two noblemen were frequent she
said. and on many occasions there were
tete.a-tetes I'm the summer houses.
At St Croix. Mrs. Weeks said the
marchese was injured while bobsledding.
His right foot was hurt and he was
taken TO his hotel She said that Mrs.
johnson massaged his injured foot while
she and the duke were present
III YOU would kiss my foot | am sure
IL would get we'll" the marchese said to
Mrs Johnston, according 20 Mrs. Weeks.
Ibid Mrs Johnston do this Mrs
Weeks was asked.
Yes: she kissed the foot OF the noble
man while he was lying in bed
What them" asked Justice Tompkins.
"The marchese wanted the duke and
myself to kiss his foot also. but re-
fused The marchese became quite
angry and I left the room. returned
later on. however. and said | was sorry
for my display OF temper, but ! was not
asked again TO kiss his foot. When
returned to the room Mrs. Johnston was
standing behind the door smoking a
cigarette"
In Kanderstag Mrs. Weeks swore' she
saw Mrs. Johnston sitting In the lap OF
the marchese.
Mrs. Weeks said she and Mrs. Johnston
were travelling together In Europe, but
had had a difference about money mat
tiers and parted. Asked If she had ever
seen Johnston. her brother, kiss Mrs
Richardson. she replied:
YES. many times"
The next hearing, II was announced,
would be AT Nyack, but no date was set