Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-09-30

OlSOWn BABY Iuy StlliIildI, ana Vas
himself found guilty of the charge he
made against his wife-the parent
age of an illegitimate child.
Mr. Stllman, it was indicated to-
night, has not given up the fight.
His lawyers would not say whether
they would appeal from the findings
Of the referee, should these be up
held by Supreme Court justice, but
they were reported to have made
move which seemingly makes clear
that they have not conceded defeat.
1t was announced by John +. Mack,
guardian ad Item for Guy Stillman,
that he would ask Justice Morschau-
ser 10 confirm refree Gleason's find
inss at Poughkeepsie, week from
tomorrow. AS soon as this announce
ment was given out. it was learned
that the plaintiff will seek to have
the matter placed before Supreme
Court Justice Tompkins instead of
Justice Morschauser on the same
date.
TIE report Of the case, filed here
this morning by Daniel J. Gleason,
the referee, gave to Mrs. Stillman
| complete victory in her defense Of
her own honor and the good name
OF Guy, her three year-old son. She
was also victorious in the counter at
| tack she Waged against Mr.. Stillman
! The referee upheld her accusation
! that the banker had lived with a
! former Broadway show girl, Florence
! II. Leeds, in the manner of husband
and wife, and that lie acknowledged
! himself the father of two children
born to Mrs. Leeds.
AS result of today's victory, Guy
Stillman, retains his right to share
! with his two older brothers and his
! sister in the 100000 trust fund
established for them by their grand
| father, the late James Stillman, and
| in a s27 600, 900 fund to be distribute
| ed when James a. Stillman dies.
IN regard to Mrs. Stillman's
| charges tht her banker husband had
| also misconducted himself with two
other women. identified only as Hell
| en-" and, CLARA" Referee Gleason de-
cded that the evidence was not suf-
| fcient to prove the allegations of
adultery.
"While there is evidence" the ref
cree wrote, that the plaintiff oc-
cupied a stateroom on his yacht with
one Helen no proof has been offered
| that the said Helen Was not the
adult defendant herein (Mrs. Still
mani and | find the charge of adul-
terry as to the said Helen and Clara
not proved"
Two Of tho bankers attorneys, COL
William Rand and Outerhridge Her
scy, waiting to hear tho decision in
Mr.. Glcason's office at PoughkcepSie.
declined to say whether they intended
to appeal from the referees findings.
The referee wrote that the tesu-
mony adduccd by Mr.. Stlllman in
support of his charges that Mrs Stlll-
man mIsconductcd herself with Fred
Bcauvais, part Indian guide, alleged
hv the banker to be the father of
Little Guy Stillman, ''uncontradicted
and unexplained was sufficient to
Justify him (Stillman) in believing
Mrs. Stllman guilty of the charges
made against her
"a careful cXamina ton, however. of
all the testimony" said his report,
has shaken my faith and belief IN
the testimony Of the witnesses called
in the plaintiffs behalf
The referee held that Mr.. Stillman
had failed to overcome the prcsump-
ton of legitimacy. which is one of
the strongest known to the law and
which cannot be ovcrtlIrown except
! by evidence which is strong
/. ON the other hand the report found
tie proof of Mrs. Stillman's rectimi-
Mating charges that her husband had
supported and maintained Florence II.
.ceds as his wife and that she had
given birth to two children "recog-
niZed by him. had been 80 over
whelming and convincing that plain
| tjff's attorneys frankly stated to the
referee that no denial would be made
Of these charges.
Mrs. Stillman. the referee held,
not only offered evidence tending to
establish the untruth and falSitN OF
the evidence of misconduct by her
and Beauvais, but also presented evil
dcnce tending to show that agents Of
Mr.. Stilman offered inducements of
money and position to witnesses who
would testify that his wife had mis-
behaved with the Indian guide.
In conclusion. it was recommended
that the plaintiffs complaint should
ho dismissed.
The referees report upon motion
by either side. will go to Supreme
Court Justice Morschauser for con-
filmation or rejection. 1T is expected
that Justice Morschauser will uphold
tho findings of Mr.. Gleason.
This is a very unusual action"
said tho report, "as it clearly appears
without contradiction that since at
least as early as 1916, and ever since
that date, during the continuance Of
this action and down to at least
March 1921. the plaintiff has been in
innate with a woman not his Wife,
known as Florenc1 II. Leeds: has
supported and maintained her as his
wife in various places and in various
apartments. That during the period
she has given birth to two children.
who have been recognized by him as
his children; that he has supplied her
with motor cars and jewclry. super
vised her bank account and has
borne the same relations with her as
man ordinarily bears to his own
wife.
THE proof on this subject was
and upon the uncontradicted
proof find that the plaintiff has been
guilty OF adultery with one Florence
Fl. Leeds and has lived in adulterous
/ intercourse with her from that year