The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-25
OVER AN OLD DIVORCE SUIT
How Hill Alexander Acted for
Both Father and Mother.
HE EVEN ENGAGED HIS OPPONENT
A Piece of Collision by Which a
Decree of Divorce a Year Old
Was to Be Set Aside.

Two attorneys of this city and county
showed up In rather strange light before
Superior Judge Hebbard yesterday morn
ing. These attorneys were Hill Alexan-
der and Samuel Schleslnger, their accuser
being Attorney Frank Ell. Powers.
The trouble grew out of an old divorce
case that was reOpened a few months
since. Mrs. Sophie Alexander sued her
husband, Sofra Alexander, for a divorce
On the ground of desertion. and in 1898
she obtained decree from Judge Sander
son in her favor, with an allowance of $50
month alimony. Mrs. Alexander was
legally represented by her son, Hill Alex
ander, while the husband was represented
by Schlesinger. 1t turned out afterward
that young Alexander procured Scblesin-
ger to act for his father. 1t was, in fact, a
collusive suit.
Alexander Sr. was treated with by the
two attorneys after the entering of the
decree on the subject of a settlement of
the alimony to be paid. Finally Aexan-
der agreed to deed his wife some property
in full payment of all claims for alimony
or anything else due by HIM to his wife.
He also paid his SOD, Hill, 800 counsel
fees. and then the decree was made absO-
lutte and then the Aexanders. husband
and wife, went their respective ways.
Mrs. Alexander remained In this county,
while Alexander went away and settled in
New Mexico.
1t appears from all accounts that some
time after this settlement Young AlexaD-
der and SchlesiDger, being dissatis fed
with the terms and thinking that more
should be got out of Alexander, put their
heads together with the result that one of
Them went 10 New Mexico and there
sought out Alexander with a formal de-
A law
confronted with the threat that if he did
not comply the divorce suit would be re-
opened and the trouble gone through with
all over again.
Alexander, however, refused to comply,
but his son and Schlesinger carried out
their threat. On July 20 of this year. in
the absence of Judge Sanderson on his
vacation. Hill Alexander and Schlesinger
appeared before presiding Judge Hebbard
with stipulation. drawn up and signed
by each as representing either party, by
W ich it was agreed that tine divorce suit
should be reopened. Judge Hebbard, not
suspecting that anything was wrong, took
IL upon himself to accede to the terms of
the stipulation, and the divorce suit was
declared re0pened in spite of the fact that
more than a year had passed since the
granting of the decree, and the courts had
lost all jurisdiction over the case.
Alexander got wind of this in his exile
In New MEXICO ana I0rlDWltn lett that
country to return to this city. On his ar
rival here he told his story to Attorney
Frank a. Powers, and put his affairs in
his charge. Powers Immediately set to
work to get the order setting aside the de-
cree revoked. He was almost anticipated
in his purpose by young Alexander, who
got to court first with petition of a SINH
lar nature. But before he had time t0 say
anything, Attorney Powers appeared in
person and made statement Of the facts
to the court.
Judge Reboard was by no means pleased
when he heard Powers story. He i'm
mediately set aside the order vacating the
decree and left matters in exactly the
same position as they were in when the
case was sought TO be reopened. His
Honor told young Alexander that if he
wanted the decree sci aside he could go to
Judge SandersOn.
Attorney Powers was highly indignant
at the whole affair and complained that
Alexander had played a sharp trick on
him. Alexander, according to Powers
statement, had been TO him with a request
not to move in the matter and had then
sli ped out to court ahead of him. AS
for Alexander. that young lawyer made
no denial of his collision with Schl singer.
He said that finding he could not act as
attorney for both parties he engaged
Schlesnger to appear for his father, while
he repTesen ted HIS m"ther.