The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-07-16
THE BELLS BADLY OUT OF TUNE
Los Angeles People in a Suit
for Divorce.
Marital Infldelity Is Alleged on Both
Sides.
The Two Stories of the Disruption OF n
Once Happy Homo in
the City of Los
Angeles.

day contained brief reference to a suit
for divorce which had been brought in
that city by Maud W. Bell, music
teacher, against her husband, William
L. Bell, prominent citizen OF Los An
geles. Saturdays issue of that paper
gives the following alleged details:
In one respect the document which
called forth the publication was remark
able. 1t was an affidavit in which Mrs.
Bell opposed the application OF her hus-
band to have the divorce suit trans
ferred for trial to Los Angeles.
The basis of this affidavit was an as
tonishing claim of Mrs. Bell that sic
could not have a fair trial in the south.
ern city because of her husbands prom
inent position and large circle of ac-
qusintauces. He had frequently told
her, declared the affidavit, that ne could
win any suit which might be brought
against him in the courts OF Los An
geles.
The filing Of this affidavit furnished
the first information that a divorce suit
has been pending between the pertiee
for several months. More than that,
the records in the case disclose most
interesting story Of domestic infelicity
and in6delity on account of which both
husband and vile are now seeking to
dissolve the matrimonial tie. Charges
of infidelity and cruelty are made on
both sides.
Bell goes further and charges sister
OF his wife with encouraging the latter
in course OF dishonor with a man who
is named as correspondent. Altogether
the case promises 10 furnish testimony of
unusual interest at the trial, which is
certain to be most bitterly contested.
Whether that trial shall be held in this
city or in Los Angeles is the important
question which must shortly be decided
by Judge Trout.
The complaint of Mrs. Bell shows that
she became the wife of Bell in Yolo
county on April Is, 1883. Thereafter
they removed to this city and took up
their residence at 1881 Jackson street.
Two children have blessed the union,
Adrian, aged 6. who resides with his
father. and Lawrence, aged 4. who lives
with his mother. Mrs. Bell says she
Las not resided with her hus band since
December 80, 1892.
The first act of cruelty on the part of
Bell is said to have taken place while his
wife was still in bed after the birth of
their first child. On this occasion the
defendant is said to have attempted
felonious assault on Miss Gertrude
Walkor, sister OF his wife, Who was re-
siding with them. News of this occur
renee, says Mrs. Bell, was conveyed to
ner, EAU, DuuiuuS q. v-sIy sa-s--y;-- L-~-
MI n
tai anguish.
"My husband was constantly speaking
to me in harsh manner" says Mrs.
Bell. HE often ignored my presence in
the house just to wound my feelings.
He found fault with everything l did.
Often he would come home at 2 and
O'Clock in the morning, and then excuse
himself by saying that he had been out
having good time with other women.
At no time did he ever treat me except
with GOODNESS and contempt"
This unhappy condition OF affairs, says
Mre. Bell, continued and even became
worse after she removed with her hus-
band to Los Angeles, where they resided
during 1912. 1t is charged that Bell
constantly took other women to the
theater at night and refused to take his
wife. He is said to have been guilty
during all this time of various acts of
improperly. AS browning act Bell'in
April, 1891, introduced into his home a
certain Mrs. Snyder, believed by Mrs.
Bell to be a woman OF bad character.
Bell at this time, says the complaint,
spent his evenings playing cards With
Mrs. Snyder, and totally ignored his
wife.
Mrs. Bell adds that being unable to
endure this sort OF thing longer, she
finally left her husband on December
20, 1892, since which time che charges
that he has been guilty of intidelity in
Los Angeles. She declares that Bell
has $4,000 of her separate property, be-
sides community property to the amount
OF $1,000. Mrs. Bell demands the re.
turn of her separate property and
division of the community property.
She also asks for an allowance as coun-
sci fees and 500 month alimony. and
for the permanent custody OF both her
children.
1t is the answer of Bell to these ssri.
Qua charges that lends to the case a sem
sational sort of interest. Az might be
expected, the husba denies all of the
damaging facts alleged against him. He
goes further, and by way OF cross-com-
plant, arraigns the plaintiff for conduct
most un becoming wife and mother.
Her sister also comes in for much I'M
pleasant notoriety, the names of both
being connected with one Edward
Urann, who is pictured in the light of o
false friend, who destroyed the happi.
ness of the Bell household.
BelPs answer first offers an explana-
ton of the circumstances under which
Mrs. Snyder was introduced into his
home at Los Angeles. According to
Bells story she was invited simply to
hear his wife play the guitar. Mrs. Bell,
he declares, protested an unwillingness
to play the instrument, and said that
she would rather play cards. As re-
suit of this declaration Bell AYERS that
be sent out for pack of cards. and all
three sat down and played together.
In all the actH OF infideity charged
against Mrs. Bell the,cross- com plant
names Edward Urann as correspondent.
Charges are made that conspiracy ex-
lists between Ursnn, Mrs. Bell and the
latteY's sister. Miss Walker, to ruin and
Disgrace the defendant. Bell recites that
when he removed to Los Angeles in
March, 1891, it was to assume tho posi-
ton OF manager of the Fulton iron
works. 1t was shortly after that time
that Miss Walker came to live with
them, and he fitted up a handsome
home at III Union avenue.
my unhappiness commenced" adds
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