The herald., 1895-12-11
II READS Like A ROMANCE
A Divorce Suit Out of the Gen.
eraI Routine on Trial
THE STORY OF. A MARRIAGE
Why Mrs. Harriet Orr Is Seeking q
Legal Separation
Busty, the Negro Poisoner, Sentenced to
Folsom for Life-The Johns Rape
Trial Continued-CourtN Notes

The trial of divorce suit somewhat out
of the general run was commenced before
Judge Mckinley yesterday, and will be
continued today. 1t Is entitled Harriet f..
Orr VS.. y. .. Orr, and is really brought by
the young woman to determine whether or
not she is legally married and to clear up
her good name. The plaintiff is repre-
sented by Messrs. Davis and Rush, while
the interests of the defendant are looked
after by u. X. Trask.
The plaintiff was OH the stand during the
greater part Of the afternoon, during
which time deposition and a number Of
letters were introduced. The plaintiff,
who IL a rather good-looking young
woman, told her story in an unaffected,
straightforward manner that carried con-
viction with 1t and impressed those who
heard it with the fact that she was telling
the TRUTH.
Briefly stated, the facts as set forth in
the case are as follows: In 1898 the
plaintiff, whose maiden name was Harriet
E. Halborn, was q waitress in the Corfu
restaurant, on South Spring street, be-
tween First and Second. Orr. who was a
clerk in the employ Of Banning Bros, took
his meals at the Corfu, and in short time
appeared to be deeply sInitten with the
handsome waitress. He made love to the
girl in regular form and finally proposed
marriage to her. As he was not in posi-
ton financially to support wife, Orr pro-
posed to tho girl that they be married Sc
cretly, promising that when he was able to
support . wife they would make it public.
Accordingly the couple went out to Pasa-
dena. where, the girl says, an old man
with white hair married them according to
the Episcopal ritual.
They then returned to Los Angeles in the
carriage that took them out, and entered on
marital relations, clandestineiy of course.
The couple occupied rooms together at
various hotels and lodginghouses, register
ing under fictitious names. Later the girl
says that Orr showed her what he said was
a marriage certificate, and she thought
everything was regular and straight. The
girl continued to serve as a waitress in
various restaurants, not only in Los An
geles. but at Riverside and other places,
but always kept up correspondence with
Orr, addressing him as husband and he as
wife. Finally, last April, Orr's affections
began to cool, and he began to pay marked
attention to another young woman. This
fact coming to Mrs. Orr's ears, she called
her husband to account, when he informed
her that they had never been legally mar
ried, and that the Pasadena ceremony was
n fraud. On this statement Mrs. Orr
brought suit for divorce to settle her
status.
One of the features yesterday afternoon
was the reading of Orr's letters. They are
very affectionate, much more 80 than the
average, and would seem to bear out Mrs.
Orr's statement. In every instance she is
addressed as "parling little wife," etc.,
and the contents of the letters leave no
room for doubt that marital relations ex-
listed between the couple.
Judge Shaw yesterday granted two
divorces. John Oertle was given decree
divorcing him from his wife Annie on the
ground OF desertion, adultery, etc. Nancy
j. milford was divorced from her husband.
jacob milford, on the ground of nom
support.
In the divorce suit of Mrs, J. L. Whitson
vs.. L. N. Whitson. decided by Judge Smith
some days ago, his honor yesterday made
an order modifying the decree.
Late Monday afternoon Judge Mckinley
gave Mrs. Rena =. Mclean a decree
diyorcinQ her from her husband.