The Washington times., 1920-04-17
SONG WRITER SUES
FOR S5O0,0O0B BALM
Monte" Brice Seeks Damages
From Husband OF For
mer Wife.
(cOD tinued from First PsgeJ

NSontlnueu from flTsh iasN'
James b. Duke, the American tobac-
co msgnste.
Helen Brice before her marriage at
Asbury Park on March 10. 1914, was
Miss Helen Elizabeth oliver, some
times called Maize oliver, daughter
OF James III. and Mary Elizabeu
IBerksley) oliver. ,humble residents
OF a little manufacturing town, Wash
ington. near Pittsburgh.
Marvelle Cooper Brice, plsintin In
the 100000 mystery" suit and de-
fendsnt In the upstate action, Is bet
ter known In this city as Monte"
Brice, song writer and employe or
weil-known firm Of music publishers.
Mopte's uncles, by adoption. are W.
Kirkpatrick Brice. lawyer and club
man. and John Francis Brice. Their
sisters are the Misses Helen AID Mar
gsret Brice, who occupy the Brice
home at 693 Fifth avenue.
Montes mother. Mrs. Catherine w.
Mount. was married TO a son OF
United States Senator Brice, OF Ohio.
Then the Senator's son. Stewart
Nelly Brice, adopted the boy. who has
been known variously as Stewart, Jr.'
and Msryelle c. Brice. The boys
father by adoption d!ed insane at As
bury Park in 1910.
served FIRST with the Department of
Justice and later got a commission In
the Commissary Department OF the
army.
s4,oOO.oOO Gift Rumored.
Reports after the marriage OF Hell.
en- Brice to the British baronet as
serted the bridegrooms gifts to his
bride included a check for $4,OOO,OoO
and a necklace OF pearls valued at
$50 900. On this point Mr.. Roth.
counsel for Mrs. Brice when she sued
for divorce, spoke interestingly.
after her decree had been made
final, / learned that Mrs. Brice was
to marry Cunliffe- owen. The tobacco
magnste had evidently, discussed the
question OF a pre-nuptial agreement,
for Mrs. Brlce told me: s'He is an
Englishman. and I guess his word is
good. II he says he will make a pre-
nuptial settlement see no need OF
drawing up any formal papers
"As a matter of fact, Sir Hugo gave
her many magnificent gifts. These
included jewelry and two automo-
bi,es. also understand he has given
her 100000 worth Of certificates.
which, however. are 'graveyarded,
and not to be converted by her.
"Desplte tne ulHeTeucc III 'hch
ages, there is no question OF the baro-
nets affection for my former client.
She Is a remarkable little woman,
very beautiful and with splendid So
ciai qualities. am sure she viii
grace any social circle.
Has Fairly Coed Voice.
"Her parentage was humble and her
career before she came to my office
Is unk nown to me. have heard she
has a. fairly good voice and sang in
cabarets; also she enjoyed brief
career in motion pictures. She made,
many trips to California.
81 do NOT know the lexact nature
Of her former husbands suit. But
everything about the Brice divorce
was properly done and I don't see
how any possible attack can be made
upon IL. or course, ] do not know
what facts Monte Bricc has about
Sir Hugo's friendship for Mrs. Brice
before their marriage. but that can
not concern the validity of her di-
vorce.
Although counsel for Brice would
not even disclose the nature or the
$500, 900 suit yesterday, another man
close to Mr.. Bricc said
There arc revelations in the COM
plaint which will astound everyone
who reads them. Accusations arc
made that reveal a most remarkable
story. Mr.. Brice is not overbNrdened
with money, but he intends TO spend
every cent he has, II necessary, in the
prosecution of this suit"