Family: William James Kirkpatrick / Bertha Mitchell Lambotte (Lambert) Kirkpatrick Poyner

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Marriage- Lambert, Bertha-Kirkpatrick, William 1

St. Marys Star
Sept. 30, 1909
Transcribed article: “Mrs. Quinlan Asks $10,000.”

Jilted by Wealthy Widower Sues for Breach of Promise.

Ten days after he had promised to wed a wealthy widow, the date of the marriage had been set, and the woman had bought her wedding gown and trousseau, W.J. Kirkpatrick, a well-to-do Rossville farmer, is alleged in a $10,000 breach of promise suit brought yesterday in the district court, without warning to have married another woman. Because he trampled her affections under foot, and as balm for her injured feelings, Mrs. Belle Quinlan a wealthy widow and his neighbor, has brought suit for damages.

All three parties concerned in the suit have been married before. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Quinlan are both 45 years of age. Mrs. Quinlan has a large family of children. Mrs. Bertha Lambert whom Kirkpatrick finally married, is said to have been divorced. She lived at Rossville.

The courtship of the plaintiff and defendant, as the petition filed by J.J. Schenck and W.E. Atchison, Mrs. Quinlan’s attorneys, would indicate, was brief. For twenty-five years, they lived in the same neighborhood, but were never more than friends. In January, 1909, Kirkpatrick is said first to have begun to pay attentions to Mrs. Quinlan. The following month they were engaged.

Friendship grew to affection. Kirkpatrick is said to have visited his fiancé as often as three times a week and they “became acknowledged lovers,” the petition relates.

When Mrs. Quinlan came to Topeka to visit, she alleges, he came here to see her. He wrote her as often as three times a week. These letters are now in the hands of the plaintiff’s attorneys. The missives the first week are said to have been begun: “Dear Friend.” The following week she was addressed as “My dear little girl.”

While visiting her in Topeka last February, the two are said to have become engaged and the wedding set for April.

“Up to about April 11, the defendant continued to manifest and declare his great love and affection for the plaintiff, and by reason of such manifestations and declarations, and his affectionate demeanor, the defendant won the plaintiff’s entire life and affection.

The petition continues by telling how Mrs. Quinlan bought her trousseau and wedding dress, and made all preparation to leave her home and go to the defendant’s. The children, friends and relatives were told of the approaching marriage.

Kirkpatrick is alleged to have bought an engagement ring. But when he fitted it the ring was found too small. Kirkpatrick is said to have promised to have it exchanged for one that would fit. This was the only glimpse she was given of her diamond.

Easter Sunday, April 11, was the great day. Kirkpatrick is alleged to have visited his fiancé in Topeka. He took dinner with her and spent the entire day with her, showing her “such attentions as lovers usually show to each other.” He promised to return the following Sunday.

Mrs. Quinlan says that up to that time he had never intimated he intended to break the engagement. There is said to have been no trouble between the two. Mrs. Quinlan blissfully awaited the wedding bells. She says they parted that Sunday as affianced lovers.

April 21, without a word of warning, Kirkpatrick married Mrs. Bertha Lambert, a Rossville widow. Mrs. Quinlan was not told of the marriage even after the ceremony was performed. Kirkpatrick is said after that never to have come near the woman he is alleged to have jilted.

Because of the humiliation and mental anguish, Mrs. Quinlan says she suffered temporary prostration.

Kirkpatrick owns two farms near Rossville and is said to be worth from $25,000 to $30,000. Mrs. Quinlan owns a ranch near the same place, and her wealth is estimated to be equal that of Kirkpatrick’s. –Topeka Capital September 26.

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