Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-12-16
THE PACIFIC COAST ROMANCE

The Great e2o. 600 Breach or Promise
Case-Lee1a X. Turner. Oaughter Of
Ortts-Ths Lady's Statement.
From the San Francisee Alta, Nov. cal
At the opening Of the twelfth district court, at
10 O'Clock yesterday morning, the lobby was
packed with spectators.
The deposition Of Miss Leeta X Turner, plain
tin in the case, was offered by counsel as evil
dence.
Plaintiff stated that she was teaching school in
Juan Robinson in May, 1854, TO 60 to Mexico
with Don Caledonia Ortiz, as governess OF his
family, At SEQ per month; proceeded 10 Guya-
mas, and thence to Hermostillo, reaching there
about the Ist Of July; was met at Guyamas by
Don Jose Ortiz, who accompanied me 70 Her
mosiilo; defendant was merchant In company
had four OF Defendants children under my
charge; school hours were about seven hours
each day, closing at about O'Clock in the after
noon; defendants wife died about two months
before my engagement; defendants manner
towards his children was afectionate, and he sup
piled them well; his attentions to me were very
on every occasion; he told me the history Of his
life and showed tender interest in all that
lated to me; when sick he would remain in nv
room; he said he liked me very much and would
IKE 10 be with me all the tims; this was in the
latter part Of August; early ihSeptember, 1864,
the defendant made me an offer Of marriage,
and accepted; informed my mother by letter
OF the offer, and two other persons only; we
agreed to have the marriage ceremony per-
formed in the United States; was anxious for
this, that my mother might be present; was
baptized in the Episcopal Church and after
wards in the Catholic Church; Ortiz wished that
our proposed marriage should not be made
public in Hermosillo, because the relatives of
his wife were residing there; after the 18th of
September our relations became more Intimate;
he never promised marriage in writing; but I
believed his proposals were in good faith;
he introduced me to all visitors to his house:
received an Introduction to Cummings and
james Cherry at the hotel; they arrived after 1
did; Cummings and Cherry on acertain occasion
addressed me, saying that Don Ortiz was de-
cciviDg me, and that he was trifing with me;
told him that was engaged to be married to
Don Ortiz; he advised me to be married at once:
Don Ortiz and myself agreed to leave on the
first steamer for San Francisco, where we would
be married; when introduced Don Ortiz To the
Cherry brothers he said he was engaged to be
married to me; my confidence in defendant was
entire, and believed the advice of Cummings
and Cherry was well meant; before leaving Her
mosillo Don Ortiz gave me $500, i'm full payment
OF my services as teacher; paid my hotel bill
and my fare to San Francisco; after l arrived
here he sent me 500 in greenbacks through
Gray's music store, which returned TO him; at
Hermosillo he gave me valuable watch; next
of General Reyes, who was boarding at the Lick
House; left his employ for q situation in the
Mint, June 20, 1861; where / remained until 1
went to New York; the 5000 I brought from
Mexico and my salary were sufficient to meet
all my expenses; went to New York on account
of my mothers Ill health: paid my own passage;
Doh OIuZ came 10 see me AT Mr.. bull 3 house
three times; the last time was on November Z,
on the eve Of his departure for Mexico.
Counsel read long statement in relation to
certain erasures made in letters sent by defend
ant to plaintiff.
1t was arranged that Don Ortiz should follow
me to New York, thence we should go to Eu-
rope; on my arrival in New York obtained
situation in the Treasury Department at WASH
ington, where / remained from June 9, 1861,
to April 3, 1870, when started for California TO
commence suit against Don Ortiz; he wrete me
that he had heard was married; do net know the
date Of this letter. his letters contained eyasive
answers, and determined to take measures tor
redress; his last letter to me was dated March
IL, 1880, and pOstmarked at San Francisco; in or
der to induce him to write to me 1 sent an en-
PENDANTS letters Of July s, 1868, led me to be-
lieve that he was deceiving me; received answers
to some OF my letters, but not to all, believe he
replied occasionally to one Of my Letters to
pacify me until he could get rid of me; on
April 8, 1870, | left Washington for San
Francisco direct, having q through ticket,
reaching my destination April IL, 1870;
Admiral Daniel Turner, plaintiffs father, en-
tered the naval service at nine years Of age
continuing in service until his death, June 20,
lN1i his rank was that Of boat captain, but
having commanded several squadrons, was
called commodore by his associates; he was en-
gagged In several battles on the lakes in the war
OF 1872, and for his services was presented with
a sword and several medals; resided with nv
parents until / came to California in 1864 to oo-
tain employment as q teacher; brought letters of
introduction to Mrs. Colonel Inge, Mrs. DIR.
Bowie, and Mrs. Judge McAllister; presented
letters and was kindly received; consulted with
Juan Robinson In reference to accompanying
Don Ortiz to Mexico; Mrs. Inge also approved OF
my going; Juan Robinson said he was q very es-
unable man, and Mrs. Mcguire congratulated
me on my good fortune; he was much respected
at HermOsill0.