New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-14
TIE OWNERSHIP ORA WEEKLY SHEET
MRS. LAURA z. BYRNHs TESTIMONY IN HER con-
sPIRACY SUIT.

sPIRACY SUIT.
The suit brought by Mrs. Laura Z. byrne
against Joshua Hart Abraham II. Hummel and Charles
A. Byne for decree AGAINST the defendants Tor con-
epracy to obtain the ownership OF The NcD-Rork Dsu
matte News restoration OF the property was
before Judge Larremore in the Court OF Common
Pleas yesterday. MeRsrs Townsend and Weed appeared
for the plaintiff Mr. Byrne had put In no answer TO the
suit and Messrs Hart and Hummel we're represented by
A. J. DittenhOefer and Louis Post Tho latter offered
for his clients before the trial began to consent tna the
bill sale The Dramatic NeWs executed by Mr. ara
Mrs Byrne Mr. Hart October. 1879, should be set
aside and only tried In the right OF original
ownership by Mrs. Byrne In the papers thus MAKING no
defence to the charge OF conspiracy This was surprise
10 the plaintiffs counsel Mr. Townsend refused at frst
TO accept this and finally took IL with the reservation
the evidence about conspiracy should be admitted
on the ground that 1t was interviewer with tie other
part of the case general objection to the admission
of such testimony was entered by the defence.
It was desired TO call Mr. Byrue for the first Witness
but he did appear aud the case went on Mr. byrne
came in about hour later, and seated at the Ia
BILE. messenger attempted to serve subpoena on nun
for attendance at the afternoon session OF the court
but he said he did not want It, and knocked 1t and the
fec out Of the boys hand. He present Ia the
afternoon but sent to the Judge stating that
sudden attack Of vertigo prevented his attendance
The case for the plaintiffs was opened by Mr.. Weed.
He said that In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. c. A. Byrne started
The Dramatic Ne.cs she furnishing S400 and being re-
garded owner and considering Mr. Hart and others
who advanced funds for 10 as only Interested
in 1t to that extent and not as part own
era. She, Mr.. Weed said lived 10 happiness until,
in 1870 Mr. Byrne conceived the idea OF getting rid
of his wife and getting the paper into his hands or into
the hands Of friends whom he could control In dis
tress Of mind TO Mr. Hart and he induced ner
to meet himself and Messrs Hummel and Byrne aud
sign bill Of sale for the paper sbe surprising tt wasa
--.f,G. Iii. - aha %, IA
cared TO be the entire a. The OFF, OF the de-
fence" said Mr.. Weed, now leaves the to
whether Mrs. Byrno was the original owner" Mr..
Townsend said the matter Of conspiracy was still In It,
He offered az Mr. Byrne not In court, 10 read his
testimony given another trial on the point involved
ised that Mr.. Byrne should be in Court.
Mrs Laura r. Byrne vas then called as the nsrs WIZ
Byrne and believe myself TO be the owner Of The
Dramatic Te,cs Four years AGO when returned from
Europe Mr. Byrne left The Long Branch Surf and we
talked over the matter Of Q new paper and decided on
800 on nv earrings and Lad enough more to make be-
tween 00 and $780, and gave II TO Mr. Byrne to start
knew that others claimed the paper after had that
trouble last August about my husband and Mrs Merrill
turned which on August 3d. was nearly frantic
AT this point Mr. Townsend, who was conducting the
examination desred to introduce eydenee III regard 70
iocted aud SAID he wnncd ted any other
pure, naked questions OF law NIB Byrne then c0ntn
like himself on her return from the country and went
ont aoOn after ana was late at dinner On tho following
Monday she opened letter TO hnI from Mrs. Merrill
and then went to Mr.. Hummel BE said he was In
dgnan at conduct Of Mr.. Byrne and said he would
write to him and bring him TO his senses.
Several letters written by Mr. HuInmel were offered
and marked for Identification. One OF them was oer
in evidence and Mr. Dtennoefer opposed It's introdnc
tOn Judge Lawrence said the was St Oeeris, and
he cOud reject evidence OF that SORT ana tie counsel
promised 10 show the connection.
Mrs Bvrne was tnen asked II she knew that Mr. Hum
mel was Mrs. Merrll's counsel and she said no. Sbc
continued wrote 70 Mr.. Hart September 20. Iknew
Mr. Byrne feared him. and thought he was good man
and would do oil he cOud for me. He did
not answer. but I saw him tie next sunday
Dyrne han written TO him and divorce had been men
ton d. AT lis suggestion wrote him letter desiring
him to act for IN the matter. attefWnrd saw Mr.
Byrnr and he insisted my getting divorce and said
Mr. Hummel could ger 1t with no publicity then went
60 see he atte and he said that he not Mrs. Mer
ri's counsel her suit for divorce from Dr. Merrand
he thought best Isboud get adiyorce wrote note at
his dictaOn for him to be my counsel, ana he after
ward sent a paper to me which signed when very Ill.
Shortly after that told that there was conspiracy
never gave authority to TO take charge Of TIE
Dramatic Netcs for me. IL was at Mr.. Harris house
thnt the agreement signed Mr. Hart, Mr.. Hummel |
mud Mr. Byrne were there tOgethtr It was read, and
Mr. Dyrnc signed IT, then l. and then Mr. Hart"
This PAPER which forth that Mrs. Hart VAS 20 pay
10 MIR and Mrs Byrne 100 week, was then read. An
other agreement by Mr.. Byrno TO pay to bis wife $50
week was also read.
Mrs Byrnc testified that hut herself claimed TO
proprietor OF The Dramatic Netos until alter October
o. when this agreement was signed and she had no In
teDtion OF giving IL up.
After argument on the point ofintroducing in evidence
the OF Mr. Bvrue made In another trial. the
Court was adjourned until ii u. ID. to-day