Evening journal., 1914-10-06
SCORES father WHO
NECLECTS FAMILY
Judge Promises Jail SEN
tence for Speakman Unless
He Provides for Wife
YOUNG WOMAN
FIGURES IN CASE

Scathingly arraigning the defcn-
dant, whom he declared has not
shown paternal feeling and has
brought humiliation on his parents,
Judge Churchman. in City Court to-
day, ordered Louis Speakman, an in
surance agent, to pay his wife St2 a
week for the support of herself and
children. The court further ordered
that Speakman end his acquaintance
ship with Miss Susie Honey or Mar
shallton, Del, and report TO the court
weekly and present a bond of $500 for
the faithful observance of the courts
instructions.
This is a remarkable case,' Judge
Churchman said: Here is this mans
father, sister and other relatives sup
porting the evidence of his wife. The
.non-support law was enacted to make
men provide for their families and
this court would not be doing its
duty If it failed to enforce the law.
This man comes here and fails to
give a single reason why he has not
provided for his wife or lived with
her. The evidence Of the defense
says that he, the defendant, is a
boarder at the Honey home. Board
ers do not build chicken coops nor
take trips with women as has been
testified that Speakman did in this
case. The evidence is increditable.
From all the evidence in the case
il appears the defendant is guilty and
this court orders that he pay S12 a
week to his wife, report here once
each week until further orders and
give bond OF $500"
Judge Churchman instructed Chief
of Police Black to detail an officer to
watch Speakman and report on his
movements. The court said that the
imposition OF a term of one year in
the New Castle County Workhouse
would depend on Speakman's future
conduct.
Mrs. Speakman declared she had
been married Is years and that the de-
fendant deserted her on June l3 last
Mrs. Speakman said she has four chill
| dren and that her husband had given
her only small sums since that time.
Questioned as to her knowledge of her
husbands associations with other
women. Mrs. Speakman named Miss
| Susie Honey, whom she declared she
had seen with Speakman in the yard OF
No. 1852 West Fqrth street. Assistant
City Solicitor Lynn developed the fact
that Speakman had purchased a piano
for Miss Honey.
Mrs. Speakman said she had seen two
receipts for payments on the instru
ment.
Asked by Mr.. Lynn where she is lv
ing, Mrs. Speakman gave No. 26l0 Nesi
Eighteenth street as her address.
She said neighbors and the churcl
are aiding her.
Mrs. Spealmau declared she saw he
husband leaving the home OF Mis-
Honey, No. 720 DUPONT street. The wit
ness said Miss Honey smiled at her hus
band.
officer Frank Green testified that h,
went TO the Honey home and saw Miss
Honey kiss the defendant and was other
wise very aifectionate The officer said
Miss Honey at first told him Speakman
was not ''home," but finally told him to
come in and then called the defendant.
Miss Honey denied that her relations
with Speakman were other than proper.
Testifying in in his own defense
\ Speakman said he is the victim of a
conspiracy
He denied all charges against him an,
branded false the statement of hii
father, William Speakman. that he. th'
defendant, owes Sl37 rent. Speakmar
also declared false the statement thai
ne purchased piano for Miss Honey.
Mrs. Mary Il. Honey, mother Of Mis-
Honey. supported the evidence o
Speakman and her daughter.
The defendants sister was called b,
the State. She told of writing a lettc
to the insurance company by which
Speakman was then employed, telling
of alleged neglect Of the defendant
family. She had been informed that
Mrs. Speakman threatened suicide.