The Washington times., 1922-07-25
MEL WAVERED
WHEN THE CHOIR
BEGAN To SING
Flapper-like cherubun Took
His Mind Off Sermon When
They Rolled Their Eyes.

ThAND hAflDS, MICH, July
25.-Choir girls. in the midst of
hymn singing, would roll" their
eyes at MEL Trotter, paramount
evangelist, while she was conduct
ing Sunday night services in the
City Rescue Mission.
Mrs. Lottie M. Trotter, wife of
the man who has been leading
wayward souls from the high.
ways of sin into the paths of
righteousness for more than a
score of years, would rebel against
this open flirting of the young
women with her "soul-saving'
husband.
Tells Of QuaIrels.
These rebellions on the wife's part
led to many domestic quarrels.
Such was the testimony Of Mrs
Phoebe Haines, former hired girl
In the Trotter household and a fre-
Quent mission attendant, who took
the stand in Judge Major l.. Dun.
hams court to testify in behalf o.
Trotter, who is being sued by his
wife for separate esmaintenance.
Mrs. Haines described in detail the
many domestic quarrels the TrOtters
had. The quarrels were a usual
Sunday night occurrence, she testi.
fled. and were based on Mrs. Trot.
ter's assumption that Miss Esther
Nelson, Miss Ellen Lundgren and
other girls were never present at
the mission services when the evan.
gelist was out OF the city.
The two girls mentioned and
others were stuck" on the renowned
soul saver" and followed him
around the mission with a longing"
expression on their faces. Mrs.
Haines asserted. and added that
many women who attended the mis-.
sion did so not to worship God, but
to idolize the fiery.tongued orator.
Home Life Is Told.
The same conditions existed every
Sunday night the evangelist was in
Grand Rapids, the witness testified,
from some time in the year 1912
until she left their household in
October, 1915. A few of the side.
lights on the home.life OF the emf.
nent platform orator, as observed
by the witness during the years she
was in his employ brought out the
following:
Q-In what manner, as far as you
observed. did Mr.. Trotter treat the
plaintiff? Ale seemed TO be Eind
to her.
Odd he ever abuse her? A
As far as | know, no.
Q-What was his conduct toward
you? A-That OF a gentleman.
Aaa al
that Mr.. Trotter wanted you to un-
pack his trunk and bags when he
returned home from a trip" con.
tinued Raymond w. Starr. associate
counsel for the defense who con
ness. Tell us about that. Would
you unpack his bags?"
mo, sir. Mrs. Trotter always
assisted him. | often was called to
his room by Mrs. Trotter TO carry
room"
When did you first notice the
change in Mrs. Trotter's treatment
toward her husband2"
About ten years ago"
1t was in answer TO that ques.
ton that the witness related the
details Of the quarrels that played
q part in widening the rift in the
marital life OF the evangelist and his
grey.haired wife previous TO the
birth Of the mission love baby" TO
Miss Florence Moody. who. until
1917 was Trotter's private secretary.
Mrs. Trotter alleges her husband
and Miss Moody both confessed
Trotter was the father Of the child.
Efforts Of the plaintiffs attorney
to make the witness deviate from
her story on cross-examination
failed.
Thompson and Trompen, who,
with Walker, are aiding Mrs. Trot.
ter in her fight on the evangelist,
were together throughout the court
session, excepting for the brief period
the latter was on the witness stand.