The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-27
RUTH STEPHENSON GRANTED DIVORCE
 FROM ?. GUSSMAN
Taken To Hospital Suffering From What Is Termed
 Mental Breakdown

Ruth Stephenson Gussman, whose marriage to Pedro Gussman August II, 1921. was responsible for the girls father, Rev. Edwin R. Stephen tor of St. Paufs Catholic church. less than an hour after the ceremony had been performed, was granted an ab- solute decree of divorce from her husband June by Judge William Walker in Jefferson chancery court. fined to the Hillman hospital, sui fering from what nurses termed a mental breakdown. She refused to be interviewed by reporters. Her mother was at the bedside Tuesday afternoon. The girl was brought to the hospital by her father, it was stated. He is said to have feared that Mrs. Gussman had taken poison.
 Mrs. Gussman alleged in her bill of complaint, filed on the same day the decree was granted, that she had lived with Pedro Gussman until Sep tember 5, 1921, when his cruel treat ment forced her to abandon him. She alleged he treated her so cruelty as to endanger her life. She did not ask restoration of her maiden name.
 Gussman filed waiver and an swer to the suit on the same day. He denied the charges and demanded actual proof.
 Sensational Case.
 The -Coyle case was one of the most sensational in Bir- mingham's annals. Ruth Stephenson had joined the Catholic church d few weeks before August II, 1921. She is said to have told her parents that she was going to marry Gussman. Her father, known as the marrying parson" around the Jefferson county court house, is said to have warned Father Coyle not to join the couple in marriage.
 lice and county deputies were asked to be on the lookout for Ruth Ste phenson and Gussman. Her father said she had left home early in the day, planning to get married.
 Gussman and the girl went to Bes- cense at the court house. They then went to Ensley and besought the priest there to marry them. He told them to go to Father Coyle, who alone had authority to marry them on such short notice.
 The couple then came to Birming- ham and visited the frame building occupied as residence by Father Coyle. since torn down. With his sister and assistant pastor as wit nesses, he married Gussman and Miss Stephenson about 5:45 o'clock.
 O O O
 Tragedy At Rectory.
 Less than an hour afterward, Ste- phenson came to the rectory, which was adjoining St. Pauls church at Third avenue and Twenty-second street. and asked Father Coyle if he had married his daughter and Guss- man. Receiving an affirmative reply, struggle began which ended in Father Coyle being fatally wounded, dying at St. Vincents hospital about an hour after the shooting. Stephen son immediately gave himself up at the warden's office.
 Gussman and his wife disappeared after the wedding, to be seen at meal hours in Fifth avenue cafe. An Age-Herald reporter found Mrs. Gussman Saturday morning follow ing the tragedy and obtained the first story of events leading up to the marriage and killing.
 Events followed fast upon each others heels for several weeks. Ste phenson was indicted by grand jury for the Coyle killing. Gussman was arrested as robbery suspect and later released. Then came the separation of the Gussmans. Mrs. visit friends. She wrote an Age Herald reporter from Loretto several times, keeping in touch with the case of her father and saying she would return to testify against him at his trial.
 In September. Stephenson was ac quilted of the killing of Father Coyle. The Gussmans and the Ste phensons were submerged beneath the rapid changes of news happen ings. About a year ago, Mrs. Guss- man left Birmingham. Two weeks ago she was reported engaged to a Texan, who was drowned later.
 Then came Tuesday, with the di- vorce decree coming to light. and Mrs. Gussman being admitted to Hill man hospital. She will be released within day or so. acGPrding to hos pital attendants,