Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-28
Mrs. MacLean Will
Not Seek Divorce
Expense Is Reason

| Tacoma, Wash, July 26.-Adding an
| other surprising chapter to the series
| of sensations which have followed one
| another in the case which has become
nationally known as THE MacLean
| Case" Nettie Volk MacLean through
her attorneys today withdraw the di-
! vorce suit which she filed June Z
| against her husband, Kenneth r. Mac
Lean, charging him with killing their
/ baby in hotel at Brunswick, Maine, on
| the night OF Feb. z. Her suit for
| alienation of affection brought against
| young MacLean's parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
A. r. MacLean, and asking $4,000
legal balm, was not withdrawn and her
attorneys stated that 1t would be press
| ed in the courts. Judge z. NJ. Card of
| the superior court today dismissed the
| action on the request Of young Mrs.
| MacLean's attorneys, Williamson, Bro
! enkow & Freeman. The withdrawal Of
| the action came as a surprise to Attor-
| ney Maurice Lanehorne, who has rep
| resented young MacLean. and who de-
clared there had been no settlement.
| The only explanation which could be
| obtained from the Office Of the plain
| tiff's attorneys was that they were un-
able to meet the expense that would be
involved in obtaining the testimony in
| the east necessary to substantiate the
| wife'S charges. 1t Ia understood that
! Mrs. MacLean's attorneys had planned
! presenting much detailed testimony in
i the form of affidavits and that this
would have involved a trip to New
England by some member of the firm
or employment in the east of additional
; counsel.
Attorney Williamson explained the
| action of his firm as follows: MIR.
1 z e., h. AL ~
submitted a week ago stipulation to
take dispositions of witnesses in Maine.
We told Mr. Langhorne that that would
he perfectly agreeable to us If Kenneth
MacLean, the husband, would provide
his wife with funds that she might be
properly represented at the time of the
taking of the dispositions. Mr.. Lang
horne declared that his client was with
out funds. We felt, therefore, that no
dispositions should be taken unless
member of our firm should be present.
Thereupon Mr.. Langhorne submitted
notice that he would apply TO the court
for leave TO take dispositions on writ
ten interrogatories. This was not
agreeable to us and we made the mo-
ton to withdraw the case without
prejudice. This does not in any meas
IRE affect the suit now pending charag-
ing alienation Of affections. The suit
withdrawn today may be renewed at
cur pleasure.
There are 81 witnesses in Maine
Who would have had to. be examined
W the written interrogatory procedure
,hich the attorneys for Kenneth Mac
lean insisted upon and which was not
satisfactory to us"
Said Attorney +. r. Freeman: THE
expense of this procedure was greater
than our client was prepared to under
take at this time and so we decided to
have the case dismissed without pref
udice. The suit may be taken up at
another time"
When asked about the withdrawal of
her suit. Mrs. Nettie May MacLean re-
fused to make any statements. Mrs.
. Volk also declined TO say anything re.
garding the case. Mrs. Mrs. MacLean
and her mother were at home in their
/ handsome new residence completed
| only few weeks ago.