IS MARRIED BUT NOT
WEDDED, SHE CLAIMS.
JEWISH CEREMONY NECESSARY
TO TIE THE KNOT.
Rabbi's Daughter Seeks Annulment
of Civil Marriage Because, She
Says, Husband Refused to
Keep Agreement.
Daughter of a rabbi, pretty Anna Stopeck told Judge Slover of the circuit court a story yesterday of how her husband wouldn't wed her, although they were married. Explaining this apparent paradox, she added that, being orthodox, she did not consider herself married until after the Jewish ceremony had been performed.
A civil marriage was performed and the annulment of this is the purpose of the young woman's suit. Her father, Rabbi Samuel J. Shapiro, with whom she lives at 502 Oak street, was with her in court. The case is being contested.
Hyman Stopeck, a tailor at 515 Main street, is the husband. He is about 40 years old, while the girl appears half that age. On the witness stand the wife, telling her story in broken English and with confused idioms, said:
GAVE HER DIAMOND RING.
"Mr. Stopeck paid attention to me last spring and summer. He told me he had never been married before, and I liked him. He gave me a diamond ring and on July 30, 1908, at our home, the formal engagement was announced to our friends. It was agreed that there should be a civil and then a Jewish ceremony, my father and all of us being orthodox.
"So on August 4 we went to Kansas City, Kas., and got a marriage license and were wedded. Van B. Prather, judge of the probate court, performed the ceremony. That was about 11 o'clock in the morning.
"After that we returned to my father's home. Mr. Stopeck stayed there for dinner and until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Then he left. I have not seen h im since August 7, when he came to ask me to return the diamond ring."
"But why did he leave you?" asked Gerston B. Silverman, the wife's attorney.
"Because he asked my father to give him $500 before he would go through the Jewish ceremony. When this was not done, he said:
"So on August 4 we went to Kansas City, Kas., and got a marriage license and were wedded. Van B. Prather, judge of the probate court, performed the ceremony. That was about 11 o'clock in the morning.
"After that we returned to my father's home. Mr. Stopeck stayed there for dinner and until 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Then he left. I have not seen h im since August 7, when he came to ask me to return the diamond ring."
"But why did he leave you?" asked Gerston B. Silverman, the wife's attorney.
"Because he asked my father to give him $500 before he would go through the Jewish ceremony. When this was not done, he said:
INTERESTED IN HER HATS.
" 'I'll let her (meaning me) wait for ten years before I'll go through the Jewish ceremony unless I get that $500.' "
Then the girl explained that her belief regarded the Jewish ceremony as essential.
"And was Stopeck ever married?" inquired Mr. Silverman.
"He told me afterwards that he had been married at Rochester, N. Y., and that his wife had secured a divorce from him.
"Why," continued the girl, "he was so attentive before we were engaged. On July 7 he brought me a clipping from a paper. He said: 'Get yourself a hat like this.' "
Here the attorney displayed a two-column portrait of the Princess de Sagan, formerly Anna Gould, wearing a huge Gainsborough.
Then the girl explained that her belief regarded the Jewish ceremony as essential.
"And was Stopeck ever married?" inquired Mr. Silverman.
"He told me afterwards that he had been married at Rochester, N. Y., and that his wife had secured a divorce from him.
"Why," continued the girl, "he was so attentive before we were engaged. On July 7 he brought me a clipping from a paper. He said: 'Get yourself a hat like this.' "
Here the attorney displayed a two-column portrait of the Princess de Sagan, formerly Anna Gould, wearing a huge Gainsborough.
When court adjouroned for the night it was expected that the trial of the case would occupy all of today.
