The herald., 1893-02-07
BENTLEY AND HAYFORD EVAS|VE.
Interesting Proceedings Yester-
day in the Courts.
Attorney Hayford Appears to Know
Little of the Bentley Property.
He Remembers Very Little About the
Mortgages--Bentley Says He Left
the Money in a Trunk. but 1t
Could Not Be Found.

The citation against Henry Bent
ley and his attorney. George Hayford
brought by Public Administrator Kel-
sey, in the attempt to discover what
disposition, if any, has been made OF
the funds of the estate of Mrs. Nord-
holt-Bentley, was heard yesterday be-
fore Judge Clark in department No. 2 OF
the superior court.
The knowledge that the alleged MUIR
derer of Mrs. Bentley would be in
court brought together number OF
curious spectators who wished to get a
sight of him. There was something oi
a calendar yesterday morning, and the
bar was we'll filed with attorneys, go
that when Bentley was brought in by
Deputy.Sheriff Kearney he slipped into
seat without attracting much atten-
tion. He wore quite seedy black suit
of clothes, and was very nervous, turn
ing and twisting in his chair incessantly
and casting furtive looks about him.
His pinched and insignificant features
and small stature were all the more
pronounced, as he sat by the big deputy
sheriff, and occasionally spoke to him
with rapid utterance, showing his upper
front teeth whenever he spoke.
1t was II O'Clock before the citation
matter was reached, when ex-District
Attorney McLachlan, who represented
the public administrator, called it up.
He announced that an affidavit had
been filed and the citation issued, and
desired to take testimony as to what
property, If any, Bentley or Attorney
Hayford had belonging to the estate OF
the murdered woman.
Mr.. Hayford, who has acquired 90
much notoriety in connection with his
relations with Bentley as his attorney,
addressed the court, and with exceeding
sang froid asked to substitute as attor-
neys in the matter Ben Goodrich and
himself, instead Of himself alone, and
Anderson & Anderson, which motion was
granted.
1t appeared that the affidavit had been
mislsid in the clerks office, and Mr..
Hayford objected to the proceedings on
that account. While he was making his
objections, however, the document was
produced.
Mr.. George J. Denis, who with J. ".
Harmon appears for the Nordholdt heirs,
explained that it was not claimed that
Bentley had not asserted claim to Mrs.
Bentley's property. In fact it was ad-
mitted that he had procured deeds from
her before her death of all she had. 1t
was also asserted by the public admins
traitor that Bentley had put q mortgage
of $11 900 on this property, and that Mr.
Hayford has been defraying expenses o4
the defendant in the case of the murder
charge against him out of that money
that ia out of the estate upon which the
public administrator had obtained spe-
cial letters. If this was the case they
were entitled to know it. The claim
was that whatever moneys or property
Bentley or Hayford have in their pos.
session are of this estate, and that Hay
ford holds as a trustee.
Judge Clark-You can put Mr.. Hay.
ford under examination and find out il
he has any moneys belonging to the
estate.
After little further sparring Attorney
Hayford was called to the witness stanc
and put through an examination by MI
McLachlan, in which he displayed con
siderable adroitness in evasive answers
frequently taking refuge behind his at
torney's privilege OF declining to answer
in regard to matters relating to his trans
actions with Bentley.
After stating that he has practiceG
law in this state for four years, and hat
known Bentley and Mrs. Bentley abou
year. the witness stated that he hac
had business relations with Mrs. Bentley
before her death. He could not remem
Der very much about her property bu
knew some of it, and could not Iecollec
that he had ever had any of her prop
erty in his possession. He was attorney
for her on several occasions. Bentley
he thought, had horse and buggy o
Mrs. Bentley's in his possession once
He denied knowing anything about thei
marriage, and knew nothing of Bentley
financial condition except as it came tt
him professionally.
81 can remember some mortgages,
said the witness cody.
Upon what property?"
property of Bentley's. The records
disclosed it to be his."
''Is that all you know about it?"
81 decline to answer on professional
grounds"
"Were you Bentley's attorney in
making those mortgages?"
partially 30 latter q pause]. Some
things were referred to me, and some
were not. I decline to say what"
After considerable hesitation Attorney
Hayford said he thought he saw Mr.. ant
Mrs Bentley both sign the mortgages
and the notes. He declined to state tn,
amounts of the notes or to whom tn,
property was mortgaged, and deniet
that he had in his possession any of tn,
proceeds of the notes.
"Have you had any of the money
since this citation was served?"
"Not to my knowledge"
"Have you had any since her death p
81 never spotted any money. Haven
the slightest idea."
s'Do you know of Bentley having any
other money but this?"
II decline to answer"
s'Since the death of Mrs. Bentley ha
Bentley turned over any money or prop
erty to you ?"
''He has paid me payments"
"What property has he turned over p
"He has paid me simply my fees
What was due from him to me. hay,
Al