New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-06
Mrs. Ida Van Claussen Has
Novel Exhibit When She
Appears on Stand.
CALLS MATTEAWAN
DESSERT "POULTICE"
Woman Who Wrote Famous Let.
ter to Water Board President
a Spirited Witness.

Mrs Ida Van Claussen was again a
spirited witness Yesterday before a
Sherihs jury. which is sitting, with
which is to pass on the question whether
she is competent. She is now an inmate
Of Matteawan Insane Asylum where she
was committed following a letter she
wrote 10 Charles Strauss. until recently
president of the Board OF Water Supply.
Mrs Van Claussen feels bitterly toward
Mr.. Strauss. for she said that he was her
attorney when she sued Or. lIonsn for
divorce. and the question was never prop
erly adjusted, go that she has been unable
10 get valid div orce from DR. Honan. as
Mrs. Van Claussen said, although he has
remarked.
Mr. strauss il was announced. had been
subpGnaed TO be present as witness yes
terday. but he failed to appear. and Com
missioner 1ngraham granted the motion
Of Randolph NJ Newman. counsel for Mrs.
Van Claussen, that an attachment he
issued for him. In the absence OF the
former head OF the Board of Water Sup
ply the alleged incompetent told a sensa-
tlonal story Of personal experiences with
Mr.. Strauss
She said that she was friend OF his
family. One night. said Mrs. Van Claus
sen, she and Mr.. Strauss met on the roor
garden OF the Hotel Majestic and she de
clared he suggested that they go away to-
gether. She rejected the proposition. On
two other occasions. she added. MIR.
Strauss made efforts 10 attack her. and
one of these times, she said, she was COM
PEELED TO strike him.
II IS expected that Mr. Strauss will ap-
pear at the next hearing and make de
NAL of the story.
Mrs. Van Claussen was questioned about
her literary works and she said she had
received letters Of commentator from
Earl Grey and Secretary Bryan. She en-
phasized the approval given by William
Jennings Bryan" She asked: rs he con-
sidered as a clever man."
Claims Title Of Princess.
After being on the stand about half an
hour Mrs. Van Claussen, who was In an
excited state. refused to answer any fur
Their questions. However. her attorneys
prevailed on her 10 continue her testi-
mony.
Asked about her title Of countess by
which she used 10 be known, Mrs. Van
Claussen explained that she got that from
the family OF her dead father i'm Germany.
And then she confided to the court for the
first time she said. that she also had
right 10 the title Of Princess OF Mirstein.
Her ire grew when George y. Medalie,
deputy Assistant District Attorney, ap-
peared in answer 10 a subpoena and said
that the letter written by Mrs. Van Claus
sen 10 Mr.. Strauss on which she was COM
mittee TO Matteawan had been returned
to Mr.. Strauss Mr.. Newman commented
on what he thought was an unusual pro-
ceedng in returning n court record 10
complaining witness.
Mrs Van Claussen voiced her vigorous
objections and contempt for the quality
Of the food given TO patients at Mattea
wan, and she brought with her an exhibit
in the shape of piece OF pudding-she
called IT "a poultice rather than a pud-
ding"
Mrs. Van Claussen was questioned as TO
her intention 10 marry J. Russell Buckley
while she was locked in the Tombs. She
said that was a plan to have the Legality
OF her divorce from DR.. Honan tested in
the courts. II was her plan to have Mr..
Buckley bring the action after their mar
riage AS II Is" said she. II am not n
widow. not an orphan. not divorced. | !
have no status at all What am ~
Says She Is Being RaiIrosded.
Mr.. Honeyman, who is trying to uphold |
the commitment Of Mrs. Van Claussen |
told of threatening letters received by Dis |
trict Attorney Whitman, who did not
think il would be safe for the woman TO
be at large This is an outrage" said !
Mrs. Van Claussen. Her counsel said she |
was being railroaded.
Mr. Strauss was again reverted 10 IN |
the examination and Mrs. Van Claussen /
said that when she was dying in St Paus !
the attorney sent her only 800 OF S,1O
that he had Of her money.
Matthew Claussen, a brother of the
woman. who does not use the Van In |
HE name. was in court He has been |
aiding in the effort TO have his sister
committed. She said that while she was
in ST. Paul a telegram was sent TO MN |
telling him that she might die, and that
he telegraphed back: IF she dies VIII
come for the body.
CIaussen was heard TO exclaim Ihat |
l., . I;eW Mrs Van Claussen said