Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-12-23
MILLIONAIRE BACKS
GIRL IN TWO SUITS
AGAINST. LAWYERS

MACON, Ga, Dec. 22.-Two suits
filed here by Oliver C. Hancock
and James H. Dodgen, attorneys for
Mrs. Peggy Lewis Lanier, 1S-year-
old bride Of Sydney Lanier, are with
the full knowledge and consent of
w. E. Minter, president Of the Mil
lion Dollar Minter Homes company,
of Greenville, S. c., and Hunting
ton, w. Va, cousin and guardian OF
the girl bride. Hearing on the suits
is set for January 10.
Sensational developments In the
case came thick and fast this
week when it became known
that T. B. Spurlock, representative
of the Minter company, was in Ma
con. Mr.. Spurlock was registered at
the Hotel Dempsey, and in an ex-
elusive interview with local re-
porter, Mr.. Spurlock denied that the
suits are the work of lawyers en-
gagged in the case.
''Mr. Minter has practically rear
ed the girl" said Mr.. SpurIock
"And he's financing these suits to
vindicate the girls character against
the slurs that have been made by
young Lanier's father"
A suit against young Lanier, son
Of DR.. J. D. Lanier, Macon dentist.
and husband for day of the girl,
was filed as an aftermath Of the
elopement and midnight marriage on
November 5, in Atlanta of the two
young people. Young Lanier, accord
ing to the bride, returned to Macon
to break the news to his father, and
arrange for a home, "but," she says,
che never returned for me-"
Several letters passed between
young Mrs. Lanier and her new
father -in-1aw, and Tuesday attorneys
named DR.. Lanier as defendant in
suit for $4,000 for alternating the
affections of the young husband.
Pending the outcome of the SEN
sational marriage difficulties of the
young Virginia girl and her husband,
Mr.. Minter has ordered discontinued
plans for opening in Macon a branch
Of the big Minter Homes company.
Mr.. Spurlock originally came to Ma
con to open the branch, but Mr.
Minter advised him, he said, to re-
main inactive.
NIinter Coming to Macon .
Mr.. Minter was expected in Ma
con Sunday, said Mr.. Spurlock, but
en- account of illness Of Mrs. Minter
he was forced to postpone the trip.
He is coming to Macon to fully pro-
tect the young woman, said Mr.
Spurlock.
Mrs. Lanier will have the full co
operation cf Mr. Minter in her fight
for vindication, said Mr.. Spurlock.
He doesn't want any Lanier money,
but he does want the young woman s
character indicated. Her every &C.
ton can be accounted for all the
time, and slurs against her, either
directly or by inference, will have to
be accounted for" Mr.. Spurlock has
with him credentials of a bona fide
representative of the Minter Homes
company.
ct know Miss Lewis is enc of the
finest young women from Virginia"
continued Mr.. Spurlock, land she has
been outrageously treated by DR..
Lanier and his son. Why, Mr.. Min
ter would have taken that young
fellow in and would have given him
a job gust for the sake of. the girl.
CDR. Lanier, though, has kicked
her out just like he would have done
4 dog under his bed, and, worst of
all knowing his sons habits and
haunts like he does, he has gone so
far as to brand Miss Lewis as
devotee of the same things as his
son. It's an outrage.
mr.. Minter is man of the high
est and finest character, and the last
thing he would do would be to act
discourteously or ngentlemanly to-
wards anyone; but this girl he loves
like she were his own, and he is
going to leave nothing undone."
Mr.. Spurlock explained that he
first came to Macon Several weeks
ago to look into the matter of open
ing a branch house of the Minter
Homes company, but shortly after
his arrival the sensational develop
ments in the MinterLewis-Lanie
controversy came out, and he was in.
structed to remain in Macon, but to
take no further steps towards open
ing an Office here.
"I am now inactive" said MI.
Spurlock, "just waiting for Mr..
Minter to come. He will probably
be here Immediately after the holi-
days"
Oliver S. Hancock, attorney for
Mrs. Lanier, said he had been in
conference with Mr.. Spurlock Oh
Monday when Mrs. Lanier was in
Macon, he declined to have anything
to say about the financing Of the
suits, except that the expense was
being borne by Mrs. Lanier's family,
and that suits were filed with the
full knowledge and consent Of Mr..
Minter.