New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-20
Charge Stokes
Hired a Negro
To Trap Wife
Detective Sought to Link
CirlhoOd Pictures With
Denver Place of Evil Re-
pute, Littleton Asserts
Never in Wallace's Rooms.
She Says, as Defendants
Suit for Separation Opens

Though the title of the case still
rsads "W. f. D. Stokes VS.. Helen Ell
wood Stokes" the long drawn-o out di-
yorce suit of the former owner of the
Hotel Ansonia, and the counter suit OF
mis- wife for separation took re-
ysrsed form yestssday when counsel
FOR Mrs. Stokes began the introduction
Of testimony in support of her counter
sstion, which she bases on allegations
of cruelty.
Martin W. Littleton charged that Mr..
Stokes had crusliy villifed Mrs
Stokes. In 1918, the lawyer told JUS
lice Finch, the husband took an album
containing pictures of Mrs. Stokes.
which he used for the purpose of OBJ
tanning evidence against his wife. One
of these pictures, it was charged, Mr..
Stokes sent to a negro detective in
Denver, with instructions to ascertain
whether that photograph was taken in
the rear of a place of i'll repute in
Denver.
"Mark you" said Mr.. Littleton, moth
inc can be more cruel in law than to
impute unchastity to a woman. We
are considering whether it is safe for
woman to live with g man, not only
physically safe, but safe as to her
character and reputation. Those pic
lures Of her early life, taken limo
Gently enough in her girlhood, were
used to impeach her character"
Letters to Detective Offered
Mr.. Littleton also had some letters
which it was said Mr.. Stokes wrote.
ri -
in evidence for the present, having
them marked for identification. The
Justice said in case the evidence ad-
duced justified it, he would admit the
missives. These letters were sent to
the negro detective. Mr.. Littleton said
the latter had been paid $4,000 for his
work by Mr.. Stokes. Herbert C. Smyth,
Of counsel for Mr.. Stokes, said he had
letters to prove that the money was
not paid. but that the detective refused
10 turn the letters over to Mr. Stokes
unless the latter paid him $4,000, which
be claimed for services.
"You have the letters now. Who paid
tine S2,000?" said Mr.. Smyth, address
ing Mr.. Littleton.
Mrs. Emma Miller, of Denver, mother
OF Mrs. Stokes, was a witness for her
daughter yesterday. She said she had
peeH dppfodCneQ by negro name
Harrison or Harris. who said he repre-
sented Mr. Stokes, who had made cer-
tain derogatory statements about his
wife. Mrs. Miller said she was pros
trated over the news of her daughter
marriage to Mr.. Stokes and was kept
inbed for some time. The witness add
Cd that through George Estabrook, a
Trend, Mr. Stokes sent photograph
Of himself to Mrs. Miller, saying he
had heard she was ILL., The message
rom Mr.. Stokes delivered to his mother
ln-law was that he wanted Mrs. Miller
to know who he was. 1A
Denies East 35th Street Visit
Mrs. Miller denied she had been with
her daughter in January, 1916, at 3 East
Thiny-hfth Street, where Edgar T.
Wallace, one of the correspondents, had
an apartment Witnesses had testified
TO seeing Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Stokes
there.
II nevr heard of 13 East Thirty
fifth Street until 7 came to this court, -
said Mrs. Miller 81 was with my daugh-
Ter when her second baby, Muriel, was
born on December 20, 1915, less than