The New York herald., 1921-07-08
TO TELL OF PARTIES
ON STILLMAN YACHT
Witnesses for Defence to
Describe Visits Of Women
Un Vessel.
BREAKFAST FOR TWO
Former Sailor to Testify
About Stormy Scene by
Mrs. Leeds.
ALSO A KISSING EPISODE
Counsel for Bankers Wife Is
Now Prepared to Present
Case at Any Time.
ALSO A KISSING EPISODE

Incidents alleged to have occurred
aboard the Stillman yacht Modesty
last November as she lay in the East
River off Twenty-third street will be
used to open the defence of Mrs. Anne
Urquhart Potter Stillman. in which
she names Mrs. Florence H. Leeds. the
former chorus girl, and two other
women. Two of the correspondents
will figure. it was stated positively
yesterday, in the testimony OF the first
witnesses to be called.
James A. Stillman last week refused
to tell what happened aboard his
yacht, but the defence hopes to be
able to describe in detail three par
ties" that were held on the Modesty
directly after the vessel was commits
stoned. The first Of these was very
proper affair. the guests consisting of
the bankers sister. Mrs. Percy A..
Rockefeller. and Mr. and Mrs. John
H. Prentice, but it is on the other two
that Mrs. Stillnan bases in part her
charges Of intimacy with Mrs. Leeds
and Helen" the alleged woman CT
society"
A former sailor will be the principal
witness in this part Of the defence. He
viii testify. it was learned, that the
yacht was built by Seabury, Inc, of
Morris Heights, and that it was COM
missioncd November ! last. Mrs. Leeds
and an unnamed woman friend. 1t is
said, the witness will state. went aboard
the yacht as the guests Of Mr.. Stillman
the second day It was of the New York
Yacht Club anchorage in the East River.
The banker on this occasion is alleged to
of the young women.
Helen on the Yacht.
At about o'clock the following after
noon. which probably was November 3.
Mr.. Stillman is said to have appeared
with a slender young woman with dark
auburn hair" This Is supposed to have
been the mysterious Helen" Tea and
sandwiches were served for two It will
be brought out. and the couple then
went ashore. But. it will be stated, they
returned again at midnight and had
"chartreuse. one quart Of champagne and
two bottles of beer"
The witness. it Is said, them will-reiate
alleged happenings the following morn
ing at about IL O'clock" when break
fast for two was served 1t was soon
after the banker and his guest left the
yacht that day, the sailor is expected to
testify, that Mrs. Leeds appeared on the
famous wrist watch search" storming
about the craft and announcing she was
certain there had been another woman"
aboard. What kind of woman slept
on this boat last night?" the former show
girl Is said to have asked, but none of
the crew remembered having seen any
other woman. Mrs. Leeds charged, II is
said. that the "other woman" stole her
watch.
A feeting kmono clad figure also will
figure in the sailors testimony. The
witness will testify. 1t Is said. that he
discovered Mrs. Leeds running down the
deck of the yacht sone morning dressed
only in a kimono and slippers. and that
she casually remarked to hir that she
had seen somebody's feet sticking out
of the stateroom."
Regarding this visit il also will be
brought out that member OF the crew
happened to he walking along a passage
way and, glancing into Mr.. Stillman's
cabin through a partly opened door, he
saw a woman, sail to be Mrs. Leeds II
viii be stated she had her arms around
Mr.. Stilln ans neck and was kissing him.
To Tell of Several Parties.
A chauffeur who viii be among the
first witnesses called Is expected TO tell
what happened in the home of the for
mer chorus girl when 'Mr. Leeds" was
away. Trips TO the Cafe de Paris.
Castles by the Sea and other well known
places where the parties" continued
into the early hours of the morning. and
at which large quantities of a forbid
den fluid" apparently were consumed,
will be described. An attractive young
man. who seemed to be very attentive to
Mrs. Leeds. will be mentioned In this
testimony. The defence will try to show
that the correspondent was sharing her
affections with other than mir. Leeds"
The domestic life Of Mr.. and Mrs
Franklin III. Leeds" was one quarrel
after another. 1t will be brought out in
the testimony. Servants will tell of
those squabbles. and one In particular is
expected TO testify that Mrs. Leeds and
her husband drank lot Of champagne
and fought almost nightly" A large
amount OF broken glass invariably was
found after these alleged differences OF
opinion.
Mrs. Leeds demonstrated herself to be
loving daughter on more than one
occasion. A chauffeur will tell OF her
having bought "a canary In cage" for
her mother, and Of his havinl. been di-
rected to go uptown and take her father
out for a ride. Mrs. Leeds's directions
to the chauffeur always were short and
to the point. One OF these was Go
uptown and give pop the air"
Whenever Mr.. Leeds went motoring
with the chorus girl the top of the car
was pulled down and the side curtains
we're drawn closely. II Is said the ex-
PLANTATION given for this desire not r. be
seen was that being In the secret SER
vice II was best everybody should not