New-York tribune., 1921-04-22
Stokes Insane.
MOther'-in-I1aw
Says ON Stand
Mrs. Miller Tells Of Letters
in Which She Tried to
Dispel Illusion That Her
Daughter Was Deficient
w. f. DIS Note 10 Muriel,
Little Red Top Refers to
Our Wandering Pussy Cat

Our Wandering PussyCat'
Mrs. Emma MilIex, mother Of Mrs.
Helen Elwood Stokes, who Is being sued
for a divorce by W. r. p. Stokes, and
who in a counter claim asks a separa-
ton, was cross-examined yesterday IL
the trial of the actions in the Supreme
Court.
Herbert C. Smyth, Of counsel for Mr..
Stokes. who questioned Mrs. Miller, re-
fcrred to several letters which she
wrote to her son-inlaw. In one of
these she resented the suggestion that
her daughter was insane.
Il was trying to dispel illusions in
the mind of Mr.. Stokes" Mrs. Miller
testified. II was trying to patch up
these things the best that l could, but
| thought Mr.. Stokes was insane
Martin w. Littleton, counsel for Mrs.
Stokes. also introduced letter. This
one was written by Mr.. Stokes and was
dated September IL, 1920, and was adj
dressed, Dear Little Red TOP as Mr..
Stokes called his daughter Nf,-riel and
Jim, his son. Muriel was six and James
four years old at the time
Writes of "Wandcring Pussy"
This letter was one of several which
Mr.. Littleton said the plaintiff wrote to
poison the minds Of the children
against their mother and to wound her
through the children. The communica-
ton of Mr.. Stokes to his children read:
Our pussy is a wandering pussy.
She does not come near the house ex-
cept at mealtimes, when she comes and
insists on getting something to eat.
The rest of the time she is gadding
about. | can't understand where she
goes. | have seen her two or three
blocks away from home at night prowl-
ing around with other cats. 1t is awful.
She has gotten into bad company and
bad ways, She is not satisfied with
the friendship ole one cat, the nice biz
black one next door, but she wants to
be running around with q hundred
cats Pretty soon | think she will be
friendly with 4 thousand tommycats.
And she still keeps young and fools
everybody about her ago
Inc letter was signed Daddy"
Mrs Miller, w..o in 1916 wrote that
sne regarded Mr.. Stokes as "a loving
1slner and generous husband soicitous
charged her mind about him because
Of his letters and when she heard him
use improper language in the presence
Of 'he children. Mr.. Smyth took up the
matter OF a letter which Mrs. Miller
wrote to My. Stokes in June, 1916.
Meant Fondness in Own Way
Had YOU any m;sgivings at that
'4Ais mat NJ Stokes would take good
care OF Helen Mrs. Stokes) 90 asked
the attorney
:. SERIOUS ones" replied the witness.
Mr Smyta then read from the letter:
I'VE have all grown fond of YOU and
ave no miaGivings about money mat
Questioned about that line Mrs. Nil
ysy and wrote il, "to tl1anl, Mr.
St9Aes for generous hospitality to me
and my family"
Taking up the theft OF forty pieces
o. 9ewelry from Mrs. Stokes in 1918,
Mr. SiAyth wanted to know who rave
them to her. Mrs. Miller said She
had given her daughter a diamond
necklace to OFFSET the Gift OF home
III Denver to Beatrice nlwood, another
aaughter. Other pieces we're given
10 10 Mrs. Stokes, said the witness. by
'"e WI VIE OF Senator Funk. Of Illinois.
tunk ~ asked The attorney. ''
,,,, refuse to say Mrs. Miller replied
mere are some people who do not
care to have their names mentjoned
IN such case. They would be hound-
cd forever' N''0
!. While Mr.. smyth was asking oues-
nons about gifts OF jewels and other
arsc.es' Mr.. Littleton objected, saw
ing that counsel for Mr.. Stokes was
,la1.g la1klng an "lnvidious attempt to
r!aAe IL appear that Mrs. Stokes had
through her mother. which valid MIA
IInllpossiole the purchase Of Jewels ~
ene value Of those which Mrs. Miller
said she gave her daughter.
Stokes Sought Her Aid
AT another point in tne boar; -,
Smyth asked "Was MIR. Stokass nr. ,at
continually seeking vour aid ~ n.y. mo'
suaae Mrs Stokes to be more with j, IN
IN their home at the Ansonia y, ~ 1l''
,fes,' said Mrs. Miller.
Mrs. Miller identified q 1cttor sA,
"rote n to Mr.. Stokes on Novembe, o7
c'lo. lhls was marked "strictI,. ,,,' ''
hdentlal" and read: 00''-
~ answer to your question. there j;
a;', 10 lhsan11y in Helen's family on either
hon. b,ue Or ehfee generations, and I never
sane, but she is keen for vbst aha In
wants. When Jimmy came She va wss sIe aa
eermlned to have a home in New Yorl,
aio when Murlel was born she was nv
satistled to have her home at the An
sonIa enc is very unhappy and would
Latner ta die than go back. But She
ropes she could have some home son,a sno
"here perhaps that would be more
agreeable. / think most Of vour faors fno,
and suspicious about Helen are gronnda
iess. This letter is stictlv' contidential
oat you have worried enough. and IN
case Helen decides to take a home i'm
dependent of your support don't worrv
ana an. suspicion where the money comes
rom as she has sources of incomA
but she says she will not use this
wnaie Nans she has a husband to support
another a. letter from Mrs Miller said.
III. rnorougnly agree with you that !
sake give her her way this time pi'' ss
she is i'll and nervous" 'N' <4'
lhe trial will be continued TO-DAY