The New York herald., 1921-10-14
MRS. SCHLEMMER
SEEKS SEPARATION
Asserts Hardware Merchant
Sought to Force Her Into
Collusive Divorce.
NAMES MRS. WILKINSON
Refuses to Seek Absolute
Severance of Ties Because
OF Religion.
HUSBANDS FORTUNE BIG
He Disputes Wife's Claim That
His Income Is S250,OO0
a Year.
NAMES MRS. WILKINSON
HUSBANDS FORTUNE BIG

Asserting that her husband, William
T.. Schlemner, head of the hardware
house of Hammacher, Schlemmer &
Co.. Knocked, sneered and ridicule6
her religious beliefs in refusing to
consent to collusive divorce" Mrs.
Mary A. Schlemmer applied yesterday
to the Supreme Court for separation.
She charges cruelty and abandonment
and alleges also that Mr.. Schlemmer
has been unduly intimate with Mrs
Elsie Wilkinson, wife of another mil
lionaire. William ]. Wilkinson of the
Zeese-Wilkinson firm of color printers
But being n Roman Catholic Mrs.
Schlemmer did not apply for divorce
based on this allegation.
The differences between the Schlem-
mers became public a few nights ago
when Mr. Wilkinson, riding in a taxi
cab through Seventy street,
halted in front of sedan in which
We're his wife and Mr.. Schlemmer,
opened the sedan door and pummelled
the hardware man. Both men de-
rnanded 10 be arrested. but a police
man merely told them to move on and
not block traffic.
Mrs. Schlemmer's formal complaint
was not filed until yesterday. Mr
Schlemmer's answer has been served
upon Bernard II. Sander attorney for
Mrs. Schlemmer. through Max d. Steuer.
who represents the dfendant. The hard
ware man denies Mrs. Schlemmer's al.
legations Of cruelty and of intimacy with
Mrs. Wilkinson and disputes Mrs
Schiemmer's assertion that his income is
$250.000 a year. But he "joins in the
prayer that a decree of separation be
entered and proper provision De made
for the support of the plaintiff during the
pendency of this action and permanently
thereafter"
Trouble Began at Party.
The schlemmers were married Au-
gust 20, 1914. at Danbury, Conn. They
have no children. Two years ago Mr..
Echlemmer established an estate at
Great Neck, l.. l., at an expense of
$3.50, 900, according to the complaint
The Wilkirsons occupied the adjoining
property. In July, 1920, Mr.. Schlemmer
gave party at which the Wilkinsons
were guests. From then until he ahan-
doned Mrs. Schlentmer on February IA,
1921. her complaint recites despite re-
peated warnings of the plaintiff and the
husband of Elsie Wilkinson to refrain
and desist from his attentions to said
Elsie Wilkinson publicly or otherwise,
he continued to shower attentions and
disregard the warnings"
Mrs. Schlemmer asserts he invited
Mrs. Wilkinson to the Sch1emmer home
and there In the presence OF the plain
tiff caressed and kissed her and showed
marked evidences of passion and affec-
ton continuously" She says they took
long walks at night in the garden Of the
Schlemmer estate. despite protests from
her and NIr. Wilkinson. Her husbands
pet name FOR his neighbor's wife was
"Snooks.e." she relates.
When the Schlemmers were sojourning
in Paris In September. 1920, Mrs. Schlem-
mer recites. Mrs. Wilkinson was there
also. and Mr. Schlemmer "paraded about
Paris with her, where they were OBJ
served by friends and acquaintances OF
both families. to the plaintiffs great hui
initiation and sorrow" He even told
friends he did not love his wife any
more, but was In love with Mrs. Wilkin-
son, Mrs. Schlemmer alleges. Her hus-
bands conduct became so notorious"
she recites. that Mr.. Wilkinson finally
sued him for s250,0o0 damages for
alienation. This action was discontinued
on September 80, however. through con-
sent
Charges ssKultured" Cruelty.
Mrs. Schlemmer asserts that her hus-
band has refused since September. 1920
TO associate with her in a husbandly
fashion ''or to show her any of the So
cfal attentions and courtesies incident
70 such relationship" She alleges that
he has ''maintained an espionage over
her in her own home through servants,
and has for the last year instigated
ana conducted a studied, scientific and
sfcultured' course OF cruelty toward the
plaintiff thereby causing plaintiffs mind
20 become undermined and causing her
extreme nervousness" She says he has
repeatedly offered her large sums II she
would consent to q dissolution of the
marriage. and recently curtailed her
usual allowance because Of her refusals.
A final demand that she consent to q
divorce was made In February. 1921, she
alleges. He left for France in March,
stopped at the Hotel Vanderbilt on his
return and afterward took up residence
IN the Blackstone Apartments. so East
Fifty-eighth street On August IL he
appeared suddenly at the Great Neck
estate, where she is living. and at
tempted to remove art objects. She called
Deputy Sheriff. and he desisted
though calling her "the vflest Names
the complaint relates.