Evening star., 1921-11-28
TESTIMONY BEGINS
IN ALIENATION SUIT
$500, 900 Action of Naval
Lieutenant Against Law
yer on Trial Here.

YET UIl ITldI F16T6s
Trial was commenced today before
Justice Stafford and jury in Circuit
Division l of the suit to recover
Ss0o.o0O damages. brought in Septem-
Der, 1919. by Lieut.. Lorimer G. Gra-
ham. U. S. n, against A. L. Humes,
a wealthy New York lawyer. for al
legged alienation of the affections of the
officers wife, formerly Miss Elsa
Portner of Washington. and now the
wife Of Mr.. Humes. The former Mrs.
Graham secured a divorce from the
naval officer at Reno. New. and short
ly afterward married Mr.. Humes.
The morning session of the court
was occupied with a lengthy exami-
nation by counsel on both sides of
the prospective Jurors in order to see
II any Of the talesmen had any preju-
dice against alienation suits, against
divorce and remarriage and whether
they belonged to religious denomina-
tions which do not countenance di-
vorce. After the jury was completed
former Justice Daniel Thew Wright
made an opening statement outlined
what Lieut.. Graham expected to show
had been done by the defendant in
"ahhih6 AIoIA ulu lut dHtCuOnS OIL
his wife.
Tells Of Courtship.
Judge Wright told Of the oourtship
by both Graham and the defendant,
Humes, of young Elsa Portner in
1910 shortly after she had finished
her education. He said Graham had
been the successful suitor and Humes
had ho.ap
After Graham had enlisted in the
Navy in 1918 ard had been stationed
at Brooklyn navy yard his wife and
children took a cottage at Spring
Lake, N. j., where he could visit them
fortnightly. Here Humes had a sum
mer home. the lawyer stated. and re-
newed his attentions to Mrs. Graham,
visiting her frequently in the absence
OF her. husband. When Mrs. Graham
had returned to Washington Humes
came here and continued his atten-
uons.
Mrs. Graham arrived in Nevada in
December, 1918, he said, and early in
January, 1913, was given a divorce
from Graham.
She did not come to Washington
then. the lawyer pointed out. but
went to New York, where she was
met by Humes, to whom she was
married April following. The, law
OF cdlu lfldt IIaHdm WAS hOOQ-
winked into visiting Nevada under
pretense Of a reconciliation with his
wife, 80 that he might be served with
the divorce papers.
Declares Love forfeited.
Attorney Wilton ]. Lambert for the
defendant told the jury that Graham
had forfeited the affections of his
wife as far back as 1912, and that in
May, 1918, she. while on a visit to
her afGfar In NAyU Vnrlr hod
legal advice from Mr.. Humes. The
lawyer claimed that Graham had per-
suaded Elsa Bortner. when only
twenty years old, to marry him in
Baltimore without the knowledge Of
her family and had admitted that
he had married her for her money.
He claimed that Graham quit work.
lived on his wife's income, and then
treated her brutally 80 that she be-
caIne unwilling to remain alone with
him and persuaded her sister to take
up her home with them
The. attorney denied that Mr..
Humes had alienatsd the affections
of the wife. which he claimed had
been destroyed by the husbands 8
Tho Jury which is TO try the case
IL composed Of eight white and four
colored men.
Tho afternoon session was taken up
with the reading of depositions of
non -resddent witnesses. It is expect
cd Graham will take tho stand to-
morrow.
Reviews Married Life.
In his declaration flied September
30, 1919, Lieut. Graham states that he
married Miss Elsa Portner in Wash
ington March 81, 1911. and that they
have two children, then seven and
four years old. respectively. He was
= al - Ill o.
twenty at tho time Of their marriage.
the husband states.
Shortly after the outbreak of the
war he rendered his services to his
country and was enrolled in the
Navy: being assigned to duty at the
Brooklyn navy yard. where he re-
mained until July, 1918.
Mr.. Humes, whom he describes as a
man Of great wealth and much older
than Mrs. Graham. had paid unsuc-
cessful court to Miss Portner and had
been rejected by her. the husband
states Knowing of his absence on
duty in Brooklyn. 1t 10 alleged. Mr..
sistently sought the society of Mrs.
Graham, the husband charges. made
her daily gifts Of costly flowers,
tempted her with presents Of artis-
tic, brilliant and costly jewels, in
ciudfng q diamond bracelet a gold
cigarette case e0t Win Olamon0G, an0
habitually entertained her with elab-
orate and costly luncheons. dinners
and automobile rides All this was
for the purpose OF securing an in
duence oyer the wife, Lieut. Graham
claimA and in pursuance Of q design
to ALLEVIATE her affections
81 Defendant Denfes Chszss.
The defendant, it is further alleged,
prevailed on Mrs. Graham to leave
her home in Washington and 20 to
Reno, New, without notice to her
husband for the purpose Of securing
. divorce, and furnished her with
legal counsel, and after the divorce
was granted persuaded Mrs. Graham
to marry him. -,
Mr.. Humes in his answer to the dec
laration mersly entered . general
TNrnssr Justics Daniel Thew Wright
and Attorney Philip Ershler repre-
aelit the husband, while Mr.. Humes 10
being defended by Attorneys Wilton
]. LAnkbatt Rudolph H Yeat1naff Sof
the local 6ar and Attorney n ..
HARDY Of New York.