The Enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 192?-1930, 1928-03-23
Commonlaw Wife
Sues Carl Curtis,
White Millionaire

| clall Promising To eclipse the fa-
nous case OF Leonard Kip Rhine
lander, the supreme court trial Of
Letitia Ernestine Brown, 80, OF Har.
lem, In q separation suit against her
alleged commonlaw husband. Carl
ton Curtis twhitel. 60-year-old null
timillionaire clubman aud Mayflow-
er descendant opens today In spe-
eial term, part 4, before Judge
Townley.
Last june her application for
100000 counsel fees and $3.50
weekly alimony was denied by Jus
ice Black. Through her attorney,
Richard u, Carey, Mrs. Brown took
her application to the court of ap-
peala
The charge by Mrs. Brown that
Curtia lived with her for IL years
gives an odd twist to Americas so
called race problem No children
were horn 10 the couple during this
period, II Is said.
Also, the modus opcrandi OF the
Caucasian mind il made the more
incxplicable by the fact that Curtis
Is said TO be confirmed Negro ha.
ter and at the same time was madly
IN love with Mrs. brown, whom he
Is suid to have forbidden 10 assocl-
ate with her own race. Curtis rela-
tives for many years tried IN vain
to make him give up Mrs. Brown,
Il is reported.
About three dozen witnesses OF
both races, including several white
merchants, will appear for Mrs.
Brown. These persons will testify
In lots of six or less each day.
Although Curtis now maintains no
picked Mrs Brown up ION street
corner I'm Harlem In 1910" he has
not only admitted that he knew her
but that he gave her thousands OF
dollars. Checks for various large
amounts from Curtis are IN the
hands OF Mrs. Browns attorney.
curtis Is said to nave given Mrs.
Brown more than 100000 aside
from establishing o trust fund for
her which paid her $1,000 a month.
The millionaire clubman accord
ed Mrs. Brown nn honor that would
pickup" when he gave her. Il In
said, family heirloom. solid sill
yer fruit dish bearing the family
crest, this article being n wedding
Gift TO Curtis mother. Included
with this valuable gift was large
quantity of pearl-handled silver.
Other gifts included expensive
paintings aud draperies which hung
IN Mrs Browns Harlem apartment.
IL IN reported that when Mrs. Brown
began her suit Curtis attorney was
instrumental In having them re-
moved during her absence.
Curtis now denies that he ever
lived with Mrs. Brown. but the wo-
man declared she had proof that abe
and Curtis lived together In Free
port, IL l., for at least ten years.
This alleged fact lA said to he COM
mon Knowledge 90 Curtis relatives,
who are prominent members OF Now
York society and. like himself. listed
In the Social Register. For seven|
years prior to going TO Freeport MIRA.
Brown declared that Curtis lived
with her in West 54th Street here.
Relatives OF Curtis. II In said, often
visited the commonlaw couple at
Freeport and made merry. m
Curtis N connected with one OF
the oldest aud most prominent fnml-
lies In Manhattan and can trace his
ancestry back TO the Mayflower. He
also Ia Princeton University grad
uate.
During the II years Curtis Is said
to have lived with Mrs. Brown he
assumed the name OF Harry Brown
to hide HIS Identity, his alleged mate
declares.
The trust fund which no estab-
quarters of million dollars. but
Curtis had this trust revoked IN
1926, at which TIME he accused her
OF giving her affections to n colored
man. Il Is whispered that Curtia
did not object TO Mira. Brown having
IAN outside man" provided he was
white.
The Treeport mansion Curtis h
said to have purchased especially
for Mrs. Brown. He also provided
her with high price automobiles,
aud mud PIN money
OF 5000 a month also was provided
and Curtis paid all household ex-
pensea, Mrs, Brown declares.
Many trips aboard were made by
Mrs Brown. all OF which he financ-
cd himself, II Is stated.
Max steuer, fnmoiis divorce at
Iorney, Is representing Mr.. Curtis.
In facing Attorney Carey II n tho
Ilrst time Attorney steucr has been
by a Negro. Il is reported.
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