Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-03-21
WIFE TRIED TO WIN
BACK ST|LLMAN
Cav Break Came When Banker
Learned OF Effort to End
Leeds Affair
Urged HIM TO GO ABROAD

New York, Marcn -l.-Inc reason
,o- the break between Mr.. and Mrs.
lanes A. Stillman, which has resulted
I, tbe exchange of such startling
ch,rees between the president Of the
national City Bank and his wife, was
o,nl,ined yesterday by a man in close
,oucb with the case. Until now the
action behind the scenes has been a
complete mystery.
Mrs. Stilnan. il is explained sus-
,,cted that her husband was interested
1, another woman. She did not
unow Florence Leeds, but she was nc
tuatcd by a desire to break up what
ever liaison her husband might have.
The principal reason for her suspicious,
Il IA said was his absence from home
sor much Of the time.
Mrs. Stilmsn, ii Is said, realized
that her husband had ceased to care for
her, and she attempted to win back
bis affection. She tried to persuade him
10 accompany her to Europe. Accord
;ne TO her plan. he was to have repre-
and was also to have played a part In
reconstruction of Europe.
Discovery Brings Break
Mr.. Stilman's discovery Of his wife
plau IL said to have caused the de-
nouement in their drama. a man of
sItreme determination, and accus-
toned all his life to having things his
own way, friends Of Mrs. Stillman say
he was infuriated by what he discovered,
Al. ,knI tt,tN
ference with his business affairs on his
wife's part. There was scene be-
tween the two, after which the elder
children-Anne, nineteen, and James,
seventecn-sided with their mother.
The other two children, Alexander and
Guy, nre with her also.
Mr.. Stillman then left his wife. She
and the children remained at their
country place Mt Pocantico Hills, while
he went to live at their city home. The
separation occurred in March, 1920. 1t
Is said conferences were held in the
next few months and a plan was de-
veloped for Mrs. Stillman to obtain u
divorce quietly.
come with surprise when she was served
on the Olympic on July 3. 1920 when
she was about to sail for Europe. with
papers that not only charged her with
infdelity. but charged that her young.
est son. Guy, was illcgitimatc.
II was asserted yesterday. that
II Mr.. Stillman succeeds in di-
vorcing Mrs. Stillman aud having the
boy Guy declared illegitimatc, he would
then. should he wish. he able to
marry Mrs. Leeds. In that case. and il
Mrs. Stillman charge that her hus-
band is the father of the boy Jay Leeds
is upheld in court action. Mr.. still
man could have Jay Leeds legitimotizcd
as his son and heir. The result Of this
would be that Guy Stillman would be
eliminated from a share in the trust
fund Of millions left by the late James
Stillman.
In any event Mr.. Stillman can cut
Guy off from any share in his per-
sonal fortune and make for Jay Leeds
any provision which he wishes outside
the trust fund.
""
The Mendelian laws of heredltS as a
means OF determining the accuracy OF
Mr.. Stil!mar charge that the boy Guy
Is not ms son, nave been suggested IN
an anonymous communication received
oy one OF Stillmans lawyers incl0sing
q letter to the latter. This letter, dated
DAYTON, o., March II, follows:
MIR. James a: Stillman, New YORK:
Dear Sir-it you Will read any re-
cent edition OF Mendei La" OF lieredlty
you VIII hnd the laws governing the
colors OF eyes as worked out by DR..
hurst and others. These laws are Vir-