Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-24
LOVE CASE |SLOST
BY A. {. HARRISON, JR.
Army Lieutenant Gets $50, 900
Verdict for Alienation
Of Wife
ENTICED AWAY BY GIFTS

were employed by Alfred G. Harrison,
Jr.. millionaire and clubman. son of
Alfred G. Harrison, of Edge Hill. to
gain the affection of pretty Ruby
Davies. of New York city.
Thus testified Lieutenant La Verne
A. Davies. the husband, in his $3.50 900
alienation suit.
The jury listened nttentivcly and re-
turned verdict of Sl50000 in favor
of the Injured husband.
While Lieutenant Davies was "nbscnt
on duty" according to the testimony.
Mr.. lIarrisoa was always by her
side" and the lavish gifts and attcn
tions showcred upon her. TO which she
was not accustomed. had n powerful
and trying effect on her love for her
soldier husband. Among the jcwelry
which Mr.. Harrison gave her. it was
testified, was a $40 900 pearl necklace.
Lieutenant Davies said he returned
from the service to find his wife had
moved from their modest apartment TO
a luxurious home provided for her by
Mr.. Harrison His wife confessed her
love for her admircr, he declared. and
one night he met them together in
cafe.
The husband attempted to "sQuarp'
matters then and there. and was ar
rested for diSordcrly conduct. but when
the magistrate heard tho story Of his
wrecked home hc was discharged. The
suit followed.
Mr.. Harrison is the nephew Of Charles
Custis Harrison. former provost of the
University Of PENNSYLVANIA. and
brother to the Countess Karl Won Holm
stein. lie was married about fifteen
years ago to Miss Marie NJ. Gibson.
and went at once to live in Cuba where
the llarriSons have large sugar inter
cstS While he is member of the
RittCnhousc and Philadelphia clubs. he
has not spent much time in this city
during tho last fifteen years. according
to friends. but has been in New York
frequently. His wife lives at POO West
Fifty seventh street.
Mr.. Harrison is about forty five years
old. Mrs. Davies is twenty five. Al
though MIR. Harrison was served with
notice of the action at the Ritz Carlton
Hotel recently. he failed to appear to
defend himself. 1t is said he is now at
I.SVUu'lH UP Mora, \ HDa, where MS
sugar plantation is located.
Both in his affidavts and testimony.
Lieutenant Davies related an astonish.
ing tale which had its dcnoucmcnt
when he arrived in New York from his
regiment in Porto Rico last December.
intending to have Christmas dinner with
his bride. She was handsomely gowncd
and wore gorgeous jewels when they
met, and Lieutenant Davies began to
believe statements she made in letter
sent>a short time before. that her
affection for him had cooled.
Lieutenant Davies testified he asked
his wife what had caused the sudden
change in Ter love. as they were both
happy when he left her in September
to rPjoin his regiment, after a short
furlough He said she replied that
wealthy man was in love with her and
was eager to make her his wife.
She informed the lieutcnant he said,
that her admircr had showcrcd cxpcn-
sive gifts upon her and she had received
iewelry worth between SO 900 and
$500 Almost daily. Mrs. Davies
mentioned getting a pearl necklace,
which. she said. cost 500. 600.
Further inquiry by Lieutenant Da
vies and questioning of his wife revealed
who her admiror was and the alleged
fact that he had maintained costly
apartments for Mrs Davies during her
husbands absence. Lieutenant Davies
declared his wife had surrendered the
apartments he provided in this city
when he was ordered from Camp Lee,
/ II Al,
together, to join t.e 317th Infantry at
Porto Rico. when she made the ac-
quaintanCe of Mr.. Harrison.
| The defendant, q asserted. was sue
cessful in entiCing his wife away from
her home by his lavish gifts of jewelry.
| flowers. money and other luxuries which
he could not afford. Through this me-
dium, declared Lieutenant Davies. the
plantation owner alenated and destroy
ed his wifes love and succeeded il aC-
complishing his purpose of winning Mrs.
Davies for himself.
Previous to December 20 last, said
Lieutenant Davies, when he was pre-
pairing to join his wife, he received
/ letters from her apprising him that her
| feelings had undergone a change. While
disturbed and worried by the context
/ of the letters. Lieutenant Davies said
II did not divine the true character or
extent of the transformation which had
taken place.
Confesses Love Destroyed
The real awakening came when his
/ wife confessed her love was totally de-
stroyed because of her association and
contact with another man during his
absence. said the lieutenant. He said
she then left him.
Lieutenant Davies explained he en-
tered the military service in June, 1917,
being determined to fight for his coun-
try.