The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-09-05
THE STORY ENDS.
George c. Pratt Marries
Miss Barnes.
The WouId-Be Slayer Of Cromwell
United to the Young Lady Whom
His Wife Accused.

George C. Pratt. the insurance man who
several years ago brought himself into public
prominence by his shooting Of l. L. Bromwell,
and who aiterwaId figured In the courts in a
sensational divorce case. has married again.
In coy fiat on the corner OF Mission and
Twentieth streets last Saturday morning he
was welded TO Miss Ziilah Barnes, one of the
young ladies' who was dragged into The divorce
proceedings by Mrs. Pratt, but who came out
OF the affair cleared of all the inslnuations
which 1t was sought to reflect upon her.
The place where the couple were married is
the residence of the young lady's mother, and
the affair was conducted in quiet and unDre-
tentiOuS manner only the close relatives OF the
bride and intimate friends OF the bride groom
being present.
Mrs. Barnes, as well as her daughters, have
been nearly heartbToken over the unmerlted
and unwarranted DOtoriety which they got dur
ing the trial OF tile divorce case, ana have been
living as quietly and secluded as possible ever
since. Those who know the family intimately
express their entire confidence In the integrity
and upright ness OF the Misses Barnes, and the
marriage OF one of them TO George Pratt IS re-
gaTded as the outcome OF an honorable aud
worthy affection, which has existed for many
years.
IL requires but little to refresh the memory
on the subject of the shooting OF l.. l.. Brom-
well by gorge {. Pratt and the subsequent
divorce proceedings instituted by Mrs. Pratt,
who now resides in the East. Pratt bad
been employed by an insurance company in
The two men were friends, but after lapse of
time Pratt claimed to come into possession of
lac 3 which caused him TO play the role OF an
aveDger. He claimed that Bromwell as his
superior compelled him 10 make extended trips
In the country, aud during his absence took
advantage of his wlfe'S trusting disposition.
Whether this was true or not the fact remains
that Pratt one day entered BrOmwellis office
and attempted TO Kill The latter. The wound
was not serious one and the wounded man
soon recovered.
Some time after this Pratt applied for d.
vOrce from his vile In Alameda County, aleg-
ing lnddelity and backing up his charge with
written confession from his wife, in which
she had admitted her wrong-dOing. But at the
time OF the trial Mrs. Pratt created a sensa-
ton by denying the contents of her written
confession and claiming mat she had been COM
PEELED TO write it by her husband. She there
fore filed cross-complaint accusing him OF
cruelty and intdelity aud managed TO drag into
the unpleasant affair tie name OF the Misses
Barnes, who had for many years been intimate
friends OF the family. Miss Bessie bad been
a close companion OF Mrs. Pratt and had re-
sided In the same house
The trial of The divorce case was held before
Judge Ellsworth. and. after hearing a great
mass OF testimony, he granted Mrs. Pratt a
divorce on the ground of cruelty only, and
stated emphatically that The lntidelity charge
had not been proven against her husband. OF
her own guilt, however. the court said he en-
tertaineo no doubt whatever, aud so the case
ended.
Pratt, being an excellent man in the insur-
ance business, soon obtained employment In
tie north, and the Misses Barnes, who had been
so cruelty wrOnged by the Vaccinations of the
fTenZied Mrs. rratt, have lived In peace and
retirement ever since
a short time ago Mr.. Pratt returned 10 this
city and engaged once more in the insurance
business. His residence has been al Pill
North Vine street. Berkeley. Whatever may
nave been said Of the conduct OF tue Misses
Barnes during the trial of the sensational case
the decision OF the court cleared them fully of
any OF the accusations made against them.
Mrs. Barnes, when seen last evening eX-
pressed considerable indignation that any pub
liclty should be given 10 the marriage.
cit Is shame" she said, THAT my daughters
stould ever have been dragged into
that affair. Why, we thought great
deal OF Mrs. Pratt, and she often said
that she looked upon my daughters
as she would upon her sisters. While
was up In the mountains my daughters, at Mrs.
Pratts request. remained at their home in Oak
land In order that they might complete their
education. L never suspected anything wrong
about Mrs. Pratt. and would not believe any
thing until sue told me herself.
81 have tried hard 10 raise my daughters In
proper manner, and they did not deserve the
proceedings. Mrs. Pratt promised me that
they should not be brought into 1t, and be-
lieved her until she acted as she did.
LAS for Mr.. Pratt can only say that he has
always acted like gentleman, and treated US
very well. AS for the match between him and
Ztlah would say that did not expect II.
he Is Older than she Is, and / thought lie would
look for girl In better circumstances
But they are happy and | am glad OF IT,
What hurts me IS that imputatiOns should
have been cast upon my daughters that were
without any foundation. They are respectable
girls and one OF them Is a schoOl-teacher VINO
is respected and admired by ali who know her. +"