The New York herald., 1921-08-06
LETTERS IN THORNE
DIVORCE CASE READ
Counsel Insists Religious Sen
timent Is Proof of Inn0-
cence.
ASKS JURY DECISION
Plaintiffs Attorney Quotes
Passages as Evidence Of
Indiscretions.
ASKS JURY DECISION

Arguing yesterday against con-
iirnation by Supreme Court Justice
Burr Of the report OF David r. Daiy.
referee, recommending divorce for
Joel w. Thorne. banker, from Mary
Casey Thorne, the Belle of Third ave-
nue," John G. Dyer, her counsel, pleaded
that the deep religious sentiments Of
both Mrs. Thorne and Raymond b.
Wilson. correspondent. precluded their
commission of the acts of misconduct
alleged by Mr.. Thorne. One indis-
cretion, it developed. was alleged to
have been committed after Mrs. Thorne
and her bodyguard returned from
church services one Holy Thursday
night.
Former Judge Dyer's brief maintained
that despite the formidable weight Of
certain letters that passed between the
correspondent and Mrs. Thorne, Wilson's
letters at least were merely the OUT
pouring of a boy in his puppy love"
stage. The sincerity and religious tone
them were proof that their relations
were innocent. he argued.
There isn't any doubt. your Honor.
as to the devotional sentiment of those
letters. but it certainly seems to me
there is considerable doubt about the
religious part of that devotion" said
Frederick l.. G. Heating. counsel for
Mr.. Thorne. Here is a letter which
the correspondent writes while he Is at
sea: L have a hard time fighting down
my own strong desire. Then there is
his address to her as My precious wife.
Ny own sweetheart and hers to him
as My hubby and My precious ray Of
sunshine
Mr.. Heating quoted at length from a
letter young Wilson. who was a seaman
IN the navy, wrote while he YVES still
in service on March 1S. 1919.
Dear heart" it began, II was so tired
last night I couldn't write. l managed
could send the promised wire to you.
my own. l am going to ask for ten
days leave and travelling time, and IL
can't get that much I'll get a shorter
leave. Just think how nice it would
be to be with my precious wife for ten
long days. Just to have my arms
around your precious body, snuggled UP
to me. and those big brown eyes, full
OF love and devotion, smiling into mine,
It's enough to drive me mad not to be
able to be with you, but I'm doing my
best and that's all any one can do.
Mary, dear. I'll simply eat you alive
when see you. 1t seems as though
I've been away from you for ages past.
and yet It's only little over a month.
Precious, I'll never forget how sweet
your voice sounded when you said over
the phone the other night 7 love YOU
My heart swelled with love as these
words ran through my brain. l hurried
back to the camp and turned in my
hammock for the night. l could just
see those precious lips say I love you
You know / worship you as my wife
and the mother of my children"
The letter concludes:
May God spare you and l for our
union. that we may lead good. clean
life and be the proud parents of good.
healthy. sound children that will be of
some use to God and to the world.
Good-by, my love, for now. Lovingly
and devotedly. Hubby"
Besides pointing out this religious
Mr. Dyer asked Justice
Burr 70 set aside precedent and have
the issue tried before jury instead OF
depending on the one man opinion of
the referee. All the witnesses but one
were paid" he contended. and the one
not in Mr.. Thornc's employ was rela-
tive OF his. hostile TO Mrs. Thorne. JUS
tice Burr gave counsel for both sides
one week in which to submit final
pa pers. and reserved decision.
Mr.. Thorne and young Wilson sat
side by side during the argument and
left the courtroom together in company
with Mr.. Dyer