The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-30
CRUELTY CHARGED
IN ROOSEVELT SUIT
Wife Alleges Husband Struck
Her and That 1t Is Unsafe
t. Live With Him.
PARTED TWO WEEKS AGO

band. John Ellis Roosevelt. n cousin OF
Col. Theodore Roosevelt, was disclosed
without details on Thursday, though 1t
had been filed on Tuesday. accuses her
husband Of cruel and nhuman treatment
among other things and states In her
complaint that 1T has become and IL
entirely unsafe and improper for her 10
Mvs with the defendant" She alleges
three specific instances of abusive treat
ment. one in Naples. another In the
Savoy Hotel. London. II a third In the
presence of Mr.. Rpuscvelt's brother a
few weeks ago.
The papers In tie action we're avail
able only yesterday afternoon. when the
apparent mystery envcloping the suit
was dispelled. Then there were several
explanations. One was that the papers
had inadvertently been placed with d.
vorce documents. which tire sealed as a
matter OF course. Another was that
they we're not made public as u matter
OF public policy because of one OF the
allegations contained in them. Several
efforts to get a peek at them were futile
yesterday morning. but in the afternoon
reporters were told by attaches OF the
County Clerks ofice that the papers
ma Oeefl aVdlltVlS III " Sip'Ns
Papers served Oct. IN.
According to the paper on hle, Mr..
Roosevelt was served in the action on
October % In the presence OF Mrs.
Roosevel's brother. Lewis II. Hamers-
ley. Mrs. Roosevelt states in her COM
plant that she is a resident Of the State
and VITA married to John Ellis Roosevelt.
The defendant. on January 9. 1914. at
zoos Massachusetts avenue, Washington.
d. &. There is no issue of that mar
rage. she asserts, and then alleges:
That since the time Of their marriage
the defendant has treated the plaintin
IN a cruel and iuhuman manner mo has
repeatedly committed acts of cruelty and
violence upon her that he has been con-
SANITY In the habit Of applying abusive
and insulting ep!thets to her and OF
threatening her with violence and OF
striking and attempting TO strike her.
and that Il has by reason thereof n OF
the matters n things hereinafter set
forth become and is entirely unsafe and
Improper for her TO live with the de-
PENDANT.
THAT on one occasion. At Naples. in
the kingdom of Italy. on or about the
lst Of March. 1914. the defendant, with.
on, cause or provocatlon. struck the
plaintif several violent blows, grabbed
her around the neck, attempted to throt-
tie her. made her black and blue and
made marks and bruises on her arms
and shoulders. at the same time using
toward the plaintiff violent and insult
ing language. That N another occasion.
o. or about the 10th Of April. 1914. at
the Savoy Hotel. in London. England,
the defendant. without cause or prov
ocation, struck the plaintiff. attempted
A. ,lrottI, NOV vvnhhiy. nor nANly and
Arms and at the same time using to-
ward her violent and insulting language.
Relief Demanded.
THAT on another occasion, on or about
the 81 of October. 1915. in the pres
snce of his brother. defendant called
her insulting. disgusting and abusive
names. Wherefore the plaintin demands
Judgment for n separation from the bed
and board OF defendant that a reason
able provision lie made for her support
and maintenance out of the defendants
property and that plaintiff have such
other and further relief In the premises
"a may he just and proper. together with
me costs and expenses of this action"
The fact that the separation suit
spoiled an automobile trip through the
South and West seemed TO disturb
John Il. Roosevelt more than the suit
itself. He and his daughter, II seems.
had arranged to rent the Roosevelt
house, at SIS Madison avenue. and
motor through the Shenandoah Valley.
His wife was to go with him when the
trip was first contemplated. but her
sudden departure from their Sayville
home two weeks g and the subsequent
ding OF tho separation suit made a
change OF plans imperative.
Mr. Roosevelt and her husband and
his daughter, Jean, lived together at
ehe Meadowcrott, Sayville. until two
weegs ago last Sunday. Then Mrs.
Roosevelt suddenly left n ordered all
mail addressed to the st. Regis Hotel.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roosevelt, however, had
not been seen together at Sayville or
e)~~hsrc for six weeks last summer
Then Robert Roosevelt. John Ellis
Roosevelt's brother. and his wife brought
about q temporary reconciliation to
prevent undue notoriety. soon after
ward the automobile trip was arranged,
Hssband Explains Troubles.
Mrs. Roosevelt IL a foolish little
woman John Roosevelt was quoted as
saying yesterday. The trouble with
women to-day Is that they have too
many odd theories that cause domestic
~unhappiness. | believe in one head for
Q household. II was two heads IN
our case and that brought on the trou-
Die. Mrs. Roosevelt. for example, would
want to live In one place and L. for
business and other rdaaons, wanted Ia
Nv some piace else. Maybe that Is
what abe calls cruel and inhuman treat
menA. But I am too modest TO defend
mysslf against that awful charge.
II can't understand that charge at
all. I can't see any Just!iable reason
why MN. Roosevelt should bring an
action against me. OF course. I'll fight
&. I think the suit is a result Of the
modern tendency Of women. We need
moro women of domestic tastes. ! am
afraid the times are progressing toward
q veal OF domestic dlscord. There should
be but one head to a household, | don't
mean that the husband should run the
IN all important matters affecting the
home and mode Of living he should have
the governing decision.
Mrs. Roosevelt Is fond OF the water,
but not OF fishing. Probably II We had
been alike In some hobby we might have
succeeded better. pit abe. like most
women water lovers. has enough after
an hour or two aboard a yacht, When
20 fishing I like to make a day out
Of II. Mrs. Roosevelt and ] spent
the summer at sayviIle. Two weeks ago
she took her departure. Mrs. Roosevelt
deserted me. 1t was a mystery and a
surprise. ! was about to take a long
auto trip with my daughter. Jean. We
had everything packed. but now ! sup
pose I shall have to remain IN town
u0TxIa Ann