Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-06-08
NOT RESIDENT OF STATE
DEFENSE CLAIMS DIVA HAS NO
RIGHT TO BRING SUIT
IN ILLINOIS,
RAPP's RAPTUROUS WORDS
CALLS MRS. DEAN "DARLING.
WONDERFUL GIRL" IN
EPiSTLE

Chicago, June S.-More lmpassioned
letters addressed to Mrs. Catherine
Dean and alleged to have been written
by William Rapp, who is being sued
for divorce by Mrs. Schumann-H Heink,
the grand opera contralto, we're intro
duced in Judge Sullivan's court today.
| Under date of August l, 1918, the
writer of this letter said.
q wrote Friday, Saturday Sunday.
Monday | did not write as | had con-
ferences all day till late at night.
Tuesday and Wednesday wroce
again. Yesterday waited all day for
a letter from you, and | was discour-
aged at not hearing from you."
The reason the writer did not hear
from Mrs. Dean was in court in the
person of Miss Frances j. Ashton, a
nurse employed as a detective by
counsel for Nine -Heink.
She was the first witness of the day
and testified she roomed with Mrs.
Dean from time to time during 1913
and intercepted considerable num-
ber Of Rapps letters.
4s-lt sEess- said sem zsalGss sri2a Tin ,l5lis
Dean letters would be introduced BY
Miss Ashton and that this probably
would conclude the presentation of
testimony from the complainant
Ben M. Smith, chief OF counsel for
the defendant, declared that he would
center his defense on the allegation
that the singer is not a resident of
Illinois, and therefore not entitled to
sue for divorce in the Illinois courts.
He added that he would prove Rapp's
counter charge Of infidelity against
the songstress by the evidence of the
defense. If successful he said there
would be no necessity for controvert-
ing the letters placed in evidence IN
behalf of the prima donna.
In the letter of August .13, 1918.
Mrs. Dean Is addressed as My darl-
ing, wonderful girl
1t wantnon: without you it is
awful. J,M now when ! require that
quick wit of yours the most, I must
forego. That is honest grille, and
you know my unbounded admiration
for your ability is true. You are the
one and only little woman for me, who
can keep me true and straight and
who can bring out the best in me-"
The epistle mentions a Mrs. De-
Shoth, woman who the writer says
gave him the idea of coming to Chi
cago and confronting the Madam di-
rect "She gave me considerable in
formation about her" The letter was
signed "Your Billie" and concluded
with the statement that what money
the writer has is yours"
Rapp never repeated himself in ad-
dressing his alleged affinity. She was
my darling wonderful girl" "My dar-
ling, present and future; MY own"
l"My one best bet," and Glorious
lgood little woman kid.
The matter was in reference to two
checks which the writer had sent.
Plans for a Joint business life and
hopes of a blissful future filled the
pages.
"You see9 said the letter of August
I g. "for the present (Scl amann-H -Heink)
must believe we are entirely estrang
ed or never had any intimate associa
!. ton"
II In The course OF a long epistle mail
ed two days later Rapp referrd to one
Of their business plans, saying:
"Talked to wealthy friend about thu
road house here, Chicago, on the nortl
: side. and he became enthusiastic abou
lit; suggested providing room to sea
about L. and enclosed entran,a s
parties could not be detectei a:i'
rood meals. expensive, and good thing
to drink. He is married but seem