The morning call., 1892-12-05
GIVES BIG FEES.
A Montana WOman'S
Strange Conduct.
Mrs. NJ. e. Riedy Pays Cash to Have
Lawyers Listen to Her
Tale of Woe.

Mrs. NJ. E. Riedy is a Montana woman
who has proved herself to be. mystery to
more than one attorney of this city.
Several weeks ago she applied TO Lawyer
Wickffe Matthews for legal advice. She
claimed that she was the wife of Robert N.
Riedy of Butte City, Mont According to
her statement he was one of the wealthiest
mine-owners and siOck-raisers in that
State.
She married him seven years ago, but In
all that time such thing as cOnnublal bliss
mad never been known within their home.
AS evidence of her husbands wealth
Mrs. Riedy displayed number Of magnifi-
cent diamonds. In fact, she was all ablaze
with these precious stones.
Peculiar enough as 1t may appear Mrs.
Riedy charged her husband with all the
offenses known to the California code on
which divorces are granted. Desertion,
failure to provide. habitual intempeTauce,
cruelty and other offenseS were all alleged
and specifically stated by Mrs RIedy.
Furthermore. she claimed TO have resided
IN this city one year and six weeks. In
every way her case proved to be a proper
one TO be brought within the jurisdiction
of he California courts.
After consulting Attorney Matthews Mrs,
Rledy desired TO know what his fee would
be. The attorney thought that $3.50 would
do as retainer, seeing that so many prop
erty Interests were involved. Without
murmur Mrs. Reedy pulled out a purse aud
counted cut the amount in banknotes, with
which she seemed TO be plentifully sup
piled. Before commencing suit Lawyer
Matthews wrote to firm of lawyers in
Butte City making inquiries as to the stand
ing and wealth os his clients husband
In the meantime Mrs. Riedg called qnite
frequently at the attorneys Office. She gave
her residence at the Palace. But having
occasion 10 send his clerk to that hotel
Attorney Matthews was startled upon re-
ceiyIng the information that she did not
stop there.
The next day Mrs. Riedy put In an ap-
pearapce and stated that she had only
stopped day or two at the Palace with a
, lady friend. She said she was then residing
at an uptown hotel. She appeared to be
very anxious 10 PRESS the divorce suit and
have it carried through as soon as possible.
During one of her conversations with At
torney Matthews she said she had paid
firm OF lawyers In this city $500 to CON-
mepce divorce proceedings, but they delayed
so that she discharged them.
This set Attorney Matthews to thinking.
He asked her who the lawyers were, but
the woman refused to reveal their identify
She said that they offered TO refund the re-
tainer she lad paid them, but she claimed
that she refused 10 accept il.
About week ago Lawyer Matthews re-
celved wor1 from Butte City that there was
no such man of means and position living
there by the name of Riedy. Tie only man
of that name known to the attorney there
lived in town about sixty miles from
Butte City. His domestic affairs were all
right, ana his wife was at that time living
with him and had no thought of seYering
the marriage ties.
When Mrs. Riedy called at the Office of
Dir. Matthews after he had received this
Intelligence. the attorney plainly told his
client that there was something wrong
somewhere.
lie offered to return her the fee she had
given him, but she refused to accept it.
~ GU San francisco attorneys are strange
people, and don't know what to make of
you" remarked Mrs. Riedy,
You always find some excuse for not
getting me an Immediate divorce
Il am going to stop az the California
Hotel hereafter, aud If yea conclude you
will take my case please TO send for me" :;
with that Mrs. Riedy took her departure.
AT least ten days have expired since that
| time, but Mrs. Rledy has not returned. A
search failed 10 reveal any one answering
| her description as residing at any of the
hotels.
She is described as a tail. statuesque
figure and very dignifed in her car
riage. She is about 2S years of age and a
very handsome brunette. She appeared to
be well provided with money in the form of
ban otes, and 10 all appearances is an
Intelligent, bright woman.