Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-10-09
CLARK DIVORCE CASE
HEARD IN COUNTY COURT
Former President of New Eng
land Milk Producers Associa-
ton Wants Final and Formal
Separation from His Wife,
Who Makes No Contest

which MIR. Clark seeks divorce from
his wife on the grounds Of intoerable
severity. charging, also improper re-
lations with Dr. NJ w. Hunter of l;s-
sex junction. was heard In Chittcnden
county court Tuesday Mr.. Clark was
formerly president Of the New England
MILK Producers association rho case
given Tuesday by IudGc Hed S. Stan
ton of Roxhury presiding Judge. War
rem r. Austin appeared for the pcti-
toner
Th difficulty in tho clark case
comes out of alleged relations between
Mrs. Clark and Dr Hunter. while the
physician was actuG as the medical
adviser of the libclce. This matter was
given considerable publicity at one time
when there was said to have been Il
meeting between pr IJuutor and Mrs.
Clark al Essex Junction. which. it was
ella lined was INTERRUPTED by Mrs Hun
ter.
As result Of these difficulties an
alienation suit was brought by Mr.
Hunter against Mrs Clark. which was
pending for some time in Chittcnden
county court. but which was finally
settled outside Of court. At present
there is q case pending in which Mrs
q
Hunter
There were only three witnesses on
tho stand IN the Clark case Tuesday
Mr.. Clark himself. Or. George NJ Sabn
and County Clerk &. j. Russell
Mr.. Clark testified that he married
I Belle A Johnson on August IS 19n1. at
the Hotel Somerset. Boston. and that
they lived at the home Of her people
in Worcester for some time after their
marriage. They lived together until last
May. although Mr.. Clark said that he
learned in 1915 that his wife had not
been true 10 her marriage vows. In
1918. according to the testimony. the
conduct of Mrs. Clark with Or. Hunter
became publicly known and caused Mr..
Clark , great deal Of trouble. DR.. Hun
ter used to come to the Clark house,
while acting as attending physician
upon Mrs Clark much oftcner than
, was necessary. according to testimony,
and his relations with Mrs. Clark were
claimed to be other than those of a
, medical adviser.
At one time II was said. Mr. Clark
/ ordered Or. Hunter 10 leave the house.
Mr., Clark also testified that he urged
his wife to discontinue tho services Of
Dr.. Hunter as her medical adviser In
, 1918. it said Mr.. clark discovered
that Or. Hunter had been making his
wife presents, including watch. brooch
pin etc. He AT once insisted that these
presents he returned. and they were re-
turned. but later they appeared again.
There was trouble between Mr.. and Mrs
Clark in 1918. and they separated. Later.
according TO testimony. they We're united
once more. after Mrs. Clark had written
to her husband admitting her wrong and
asking that he return to her once more.
DR. Sabin testified that he considered
that Mr.. Clarks health had been ser-
ously affected by the family troubles
through which he passed Mr.. Russell
testified in regard to the alienation suit
which was a one time pending in county
court but which was settled. also in re
gard TO the Hunter divorce suit now pend
ing
OTHER DIVORCE CASES
The case Of Henry s. Cain of Charlotte
against Myrtle r Cain was read for trial
I Tuesday afternoon, but owing to the
fact that this case was tried at the March
term Of court. when petitions for divorce
were brought by both husband and wife
and dismissed without prejudice by Judge
Sherman +. Moultou. the court decided
I that it would be best to postpone the hear
ing in the case until a court reporter could
, he secured
In the case Of Theresa y. Sheldon of
Burlington against Wilbur NJ Sheldon of
parts unknown. a divorce was granted
Tuesday by Judge Stanton, on the
grounds of wlful desertion. and the libel
liant was given permission TO resume her
/ maiden name, after hearing the evidence
in the case as put in by g. G. Austin of
-. A 4 81.
[ This was the first case heard Tuesday
afternoon. Al the opening of court.
It was set forth in the testimony offered
in this case. which was unContested. that
Mr.. and Mrs Sheldon were married in
burlington January Is 1919, that they
went to St Adams to live with Mr., Shell
! don's sister and her husband staying
there about week then going to the
, farm OF Mr., Bell, whore Mr.. Shell
don had hired out for both of them. After
working there about two weeks, Mrs.
| Sheldon was taken sick and returned to
her home in Burlington
/ Mrs. Sheldon testified that she was i'll
at home for abou. three months, and that
! her husband came to Burlington and re-
NAMED for few days, then left her
suddenly. and that he never contributed
! a cent toward her support, and that she
had seen him only once since that time.
When she was able she said she went
TO work and has been supporting herself
! ever since. This testimony was corrobo-
rated by Mrs Sheldon's mother Mrs
Pssha of this city, and by other wit
nesses
! There was also a hearing Tuesday in
the case of Marion J.. Tracy of Burline
ton against Charles +. Tracy, alias Anne
Bescherer. of parts unknown. The peti
toner in this case is asking for divorce
on the grounds Of intolera Die severity
and refusal 10 support j. j. Enright pu-
| in the evidence for the petitioner
| MI and Mre. Tracy were married in 1916
and " was not until about II months after
the marriage that the petitioner learned
according to her testimony, that her hus
bands name was not Tracy, but Anne
Reschercr. and that he was German
She learned this through his mother
when staying at his home in Philadelphia
After their marriage. the couple LIVED
for a short time in Burlington, then h'
vent to New York, where she followed
him about sin weeks alter There. tn,
husband refused to provide for her. dranl
heavily and went with other women, &C
cordine to the testimony Of the petition
err,
A child was born 70 them, and the hus
band even refused 20 pay the hospita
bills, while he gave her absolutely moth
ing with which TO clothe The child, anc
she had 10 fend home for clothes for tn.
baby. When she was able, she went &c
III. "a, priladelnhia w1nra re