The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-08-04
Answer is Filed to Suit by
Mary Bode Against
Matthias Bode.
HEARING Is ADJOURNED
Attorneys Battle to Open Books
of Bode Brothers Co. to Show
Finances of Defendant.

Charging that a reconciliation had
ing "a situation" on which to base an
action for divorce and that che situa-
ton had been carefully fostered,
Matthias N. Bode appeared in the cir
cult court this morning to answer the
suit of his wife, Mary Bode, who de-
mands divorce and a division of the
Bode estate on grounds of cruelty and
inhuman treatment.
The answer of Bode to the charges
brought by his wife, featured the hear
ing today 1t was declared in the
court room that the case would be
fought at every turn Of the road" and
the contention of the attorney for the
plaintiff that the defendants attorney
had said, eve will make you earn your
money" was freely admitted in court.
The case gave indications of being the
most interesting divorce action ever
tried in the county and while the at
torneys for the defendant declared that
they would vigorously protest against
the main issue in the case, court at
tendants could not but see that the
fight was one over the financial set
Element to be made with Mrs. Bode
rather than the fight over the main
issue of the divorce.
Refuse to Produce Statements.
There were but two witnesses called
this morning and after they had been
heard the trial of the case was ad-
journed to August goth with the under
standing that no further adjournments
would be asked. The two witnesses
were examined under Section 4068 with
view of bringing out facts in regard
to the financial resources of the de-
PENDANT Michael Bode, brother of
the defendant, refused to produce in
court the books and financial accounts
of the Bode Brothers company, declar-
ing that other stockholders Of the COM
pany refused to show the facts in the
case without a direct order of the
court. Judge Belden, while holding
that it was his opinion that the law
should open some way to show the
financial condition of the defendant in
the case, admitted that he was not GER
tain that the books of the corporation
could be examined. He will hear argu-
mems on the matter next Monday.
Whole Case in Court.
+ 1t was the first time that all of the
papers in the Bode divorce had been
in court. Mrs. BODIES complaint alleges
serious charges against the defendant
and these are all denied in the answer
of the defendant The answer does
not in any way seek to cast any as
pensions on the personal character of
Mrs. Bode. Threats to kill are alleged
in the complaint of Mrs. Bode and in
the answer of the defendant but
neither makes any specific statement of
the nature of these threats. Mrs. Bode
alleges that her husband did not prop
erly provide for her support and the
support Of her children and Bode par
ries with statement that he gave from
six to seven thousand dollars year to
the household expenses. Mrs. Bode
makes sensational allegations in re-
gard to the personal habits of her hus-
band and he passes this part of the
complaint with a general denial. Mrs.
Bode says that her husband did not
properly provide for her entertainment
that he did not take her to theatres
and preferred the company Of others
for his entertainment. Bode answers
with the general denial.
No Loss by Misconduct.
Mrs, Bode alleges that her husband
lost ten thousand dollars by gambling
While he was spending a vacation in
Florida. Her husband admits the loss
Of ten thousand dollars in Florida, but
says that it was lost through no mis-
conduct of his. Mrs. Bode charges ex-
cessive use of liquor and Mr.. Bode
alleges that he had a small amount of
liquor at his home for years and denies
other facts in regard to this portion
Of the charge of his wife.
The wife says in her complaint that
her husband has property to the value
of 100000 and he declares in his ans
wer that he is worth less than one
third the amount stated in the COM
, plant Mrs. Bode says that the in
come of her husband amounts to up
wards of twenty thousand dollars
year. The answer does not mention
the income of the defendant.
The battle to open up the books of
the Bode Brothers company for the
examination of the defendant and the
investigation by experts of nine
thousand dollar note alleged to have
been given by Mr.. Bode, were the only
matters in connection with the case
to come up today.
| In his answer Mr.. Bode declares that
he never offered twenty thousand doll
lars as a settlement of the claims
of his wife, but on the other hand
he alleges that he was twice solicited
to make proposition for a financial
settlement
No Affection Remaining.
Both the complaint and the answer
appeared to be agreed upon the fact
that the affection which had existed
between Mr.. and Mrs Bode in, the days
of their married life had disappeared.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bode were married in
Kenosha on May 20, 1902 and they have
/ three children. Mrs. Bode asks the