The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-08-03
MRS. CHAPLIN
ASKS DIVORCE
Charges That Charlie Has Been Ex
tremely Cruel to Her From Almost
Beginning Of Mar
rage.

! UNITED Press Leased Wire Service.
/ LOS ANGELES, Calf, Aug. ga
story of alleged domestic unhappiness
dating almost from the time OF the
marriage of Charles Chaplin, noted
film comedian, and Mildred Harris
Chaplin, on October %, 1913, was re-
vealed today following divorce &C
ton brought here late yesterday by
Mrs. Chaplin.
Severance of the matrimonial bond
is asked on the grounds of extreme
cruelty and bodily injury alleged to
have been done Mrs. Chaplin by her
famous husband.
A temporary order restraining Chap
lin from disposing of his interest in
certain motion picture films was
granted by Superior Judge Jackson
when the divorce complaint was flied.
Equitable division" of property Is
sought by Mrs. Chaplin.
The divorce action came as the eli
max of differences between the Chap
Inns, which sprang into the public eye
with personal encounter between
Chaplin and Louis Mayer. manager
for Mrs. Chaplin, here last March.
At that time Chaplin accused Mayer
of interference in his domestic affairs.
The divorce action was brought by
Mrs. Chaplin's attorneys here, the &C
tress now being in New York.
Among the charges Mrs. Chaplin
makes in the complaint are:
That Chaplin had refused to live
with her any longer and insisted that
she get divorce.
=, a VT, ~ fhn3r
hold bills.
That he stayed away from home at
nights before their separation.
That he refused to give her any of
their community property or to &C.
count for his community earnings.
That he became abusive, failed to
show proper consideration for her be-
fore and after the birth of their child.
Charlie Is Silent.
LOS ANGELES. Calf, Aug. 81
Charlie Chaplin-he of the nifty mus
tache, crooked cane and exoctic walk
will play silent role in the prelim-
inaries of the divorce action which
Harris Chaplin has filed
against him.
At least that's what Attorney Arthur
Wright, who is the comedians "di-
rector" in the divorce tragedy said
today
to Chaplin" Wright declared. I'VE
had not expected the papers to be
filed while Mrs. Chaplin was in the
east.
Chaplin will have no statement to
make, that is if l can persuade him
to refuse comment"
= will a cross complaint be ff1ed?"
Wright was asked.
81 don't know and / wouldn't tell If
/ did" was the enlightening reply.
Chaplin himself was busy and
couldn't be seen.
The divorce complaint in which Mrs.
Chaplin charges that the Chaplin walk
has been done down the primrose path
and that parties with other women"
have been staged at which custard
pies were not the chief feature, also
includes these specific allegations:
That Chaplin had his wife trailed
by detectives.
amounting to $500 monthly-for the
Chaplin home.
That he made his wife return to
work in the films Immediately after
their child was born
That he would not look at their
Christmas tree.
The complaint sets Chap1in's income
at 100000 annually, but movie folks
say that's too conservative.
The first court action will come
August 9 when arguments on the APP
plication for an injunction permanent.
ly restraining Chaplin from disposing
of any property, including his latest
films, will be argued.