Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-12
ST|LLMAN FAVORED
BY REFEREE RULING
Seven of Nine Vital Points De-
cided Against Wife of
the Banker.

Poughkeepsie. n. Y, July IA
uaggering blow 20 the cause of Mrs.
James A. Stillman and her fair-haired
baby Guy was given yesterday by Dan
kl J. Gleason. referee in the divorce
suit Within forty-eight hours of the
time for opening the defense here
Wednesday. Judge Gleason rendered
decisions which may upset all the
plans of the lawyers. for the defense.
Nine points at issue We're before
Judge Gleason. In seven he decided
the contention of Col. William X.
Rand Chief counsel for James A.
stnlman, should be upheld
In rendering these decisions it was
necessary for Judge Gleason 10 de-
lermine to what extent Mr.. Stillman
has proved non-access to his wife
during the period in which she is
charged with infidelity resulting in
the birth Of Guy. The text of his
decisions shows that up to the pres
ent he believes the plaintiff has es-
tablished his contention of monaco
cess and. furthermore. of infidelity
On the part of Mrs. Stillman.
This may be entirely upset. how
ever il Is pointed out. when the testi-
mony of the defense is presented.
Only the case of the plaintiff has
been introduced up TO this time. and
Judge Gleasons ruling that Mr.. Still
man has established his case is made
pnly in relation TO the testimony pre-
sented to date.
In one instance yesterday the referee
reversed his previous decision by ad-
mitting in evidence the noted honey
dearest" letter. said 10 have been
written to Mrs. Stillman by the
indian guide. Fred Beauvais. CO.
respondent in the divorce action.
Judge Gleason had ruled this letter
put. This letter. known as Exhibit Il.
Is said to be the most damaging of
the alleged Beauvals letters.
Exhibit c, or the rolled oats and
hacon" letter, which had been ad-
nnitted until proved. is definitely
placed in the record by another deci-
sion given by the referee today.
These letters are admitted in so far
.s they pertain 10 the divorce and
legitimacy actions. but any direct or
Indirect declarations in them by
BeauVais or Mrs. Stiliman as 10 the
parentage Of the child are excluded.
The letters. in other words. may be
used To show the inclination for in
fidelity on the part of the guide and
The bankers wife, but not as direct
propf. of Guys parentage.
Equally important in its bearing on
the case j. the referees decision 10
admit the testimony Of Mrs. Percy
Rockefeller. sister. Of Mr.. Stillman. as
in a telephone ctmversa ton she had
with Mrs. Stillman in February. 1919.
In this telephone call Mrs. Sullman
il said 10 have declared Mr.. Stillman
snevcr came near her nor would have
anything 10 do with her" 1t was at
This time she is said TO have made
plain that she would not be "a stick
pf furniture" for any man.
This testimony is admitted in the
sivorce issue by the referee, but not
sn relation 70 the legitimacy action.
The only point in which Mrs. Still
man and her friends can take COM
fort i in the refusal of the referee
10 admit the testimony Of DR.. Hugh
l.. Russell. Buffalo osteopath, as to
the converse ton in which Mrs. Sfili-
man is said TO have admitted that
Beauvais is the father of Guy. This
and the decision upholding the excll-
sion Of all direct declarations by Mrs.
StiIlman and Beauvais as TO the par
entage Of Guy on the legitimacy issue
are the only victories for the defend
ant in today's decisions.
In addition 10 letters 3 and and
the Mrs. Rockefeller phone converse
tion. Referee Gleason admitted di-
rect. declarations of Mrs StiIlman and
Beauvais as 10 Guys parentage as II
affects the divorce issue; a letter said
10 have been written by Beauvais 10
servants at the Stillman home in
Pleasantville. y. " for the purpose
af handwriting comparison, and all
evidence showing the relations be-
tween Beauvais and Mrs. Stillman.
This includes the speech and de-
rneanor Of the defendant toward the
correspondent Beauvais,' the deci-
sion states, "her reception and re-
1ention Of the letters and Of the in
scribed mocassins.'