The herald., 1895-07-24
MRS. DR.. HOUBERI
IS IN THE LEAD
With a Communication of
Many Words
SHE STANDS IN
WITH THE DOCTOR
And Corroborates All That He
Has Said
EDWARD HUTCHINSON
SCORES HIM HEAVILY
In an Article Published Recently in the
Civic Review
WHAT MRS. HOUBERT HAS
TO SAY ABOUT 1T ALL
Her Private Affairs Revealed for the Good
of the Public
She Decries the Popular Failing of Catering
to nadam Grundy and Is a Decided
Friend of Her Divorced
Husband
WHAT MRS. HOUBERT HAS
TO SAY ABOUT 1T ALL
Her Private Affairs Revealed for the Good
of the Public
She DecrIes the Popular Failing of Catering
to nadam Grundy and Is Decided
Friend of Her Divorced
Husband

DR.. Houbert. late of Holcomb valley,
has succeeded in nearly bringing the
house down about his ears. His oppo-
nents have been spurred into action by
his own efforts 10 deny their allegations,
and various stories OF Irregularities in
dulged IN by the doctor are being brought
to the light of day. Several skeletons are
under the care of Dr.. Pritchard, who says
that he will produce them at the proper
time, and that others are liable to reach
the outer air.
Among the main criticisms anent the
situation the following appeared in the
Civic Review of July Goth. 1t is from the
pen of Edward Hutchison, and reads:
Among the second rate fakirs lately
exploited in various ways the most in
evidence at present is Dr. F. .. Ho-
bart, or Houbert, or Hobert. as the
learned gentleman spells 1t in his vario us
moods and pleasantries. Local politicians
who knew the various haunts of last year
will remember one of the human
species who dressed in suit of the prop
er color, wore glasses carried a large
knotted cane and about sixty summers
and winters, with evidence of several
hundred falls, posed as a learned Russian
with son in high place in Paris haunted
all sorts of political meetings and candi-
dates, and was always strictly contiden-
tial. That was the titled gentleman who
lately married the divorced wife OF Mr..
Symington, dyed his head to nut brown
hue, went to the mountains for some Pc
culiar purpose of his own, and won con-
siderable notoriety as a nypnotist.
A little incident will illustrate the Pc
culiar character of the learned doctor, and
may show his method of study on the in
dividual plan. One day last fall he bor-
rowed Latin dictionary of the under
signed "to use for short time in trans
lating a very difficult manuscript" The
book was not returned on time, and
took occasion to remind the doctor" of
his promise, whereupon he made another
promise. This was repeated about twenty
times. Meanwhile the doctor donned
new suit and a silk tie, and ran up and
down street with female in black silk
dress. Guessing the whereabouts of my
dictionary, | went the rounds of the sec
ond-hand book stores, and found it at a
well-known store on Second street. The
proprietor surrendered the book to me at
once and showed me half dozen others
bought from Or" Hobart. The next
time l saw the fakir asked him for the
book and was literally rewarded with
new stock of promises to bring it to me
soon. This was also repeated frequently
and with diverting variations. Finally |
met hln near the book store mentioned
and told him | mad found my book and
store near by. He acknowledged the
whole matter and promised to return the
money to the book dealer. This promise
was also repeated with nauseatng fre-
Quency. Meantime the doctor lived
in a den at 222 Los Angeles street and
pIeyed upon the public as a spiritualist.
30 much for another Titled foreigner"
who will not divulge his title.
In answer to that portion of a letter
printed in a late issue OF The Her
aid, at the request of Dr.. Houbert and
claimed by him to have been written by
Symlngton, DR.. Pritchard said: Every
word OF the interview printed by The
Herald some days ago concerning my talk
with Symington, was absolutely true.
The reporter wrote only what | told him,
and what was also true. The same words
were spoken by Symington during my
stay in Escondido, and | shall at once
take steps to procure corroborative testi-
mony. | don't know anything about
the excerpts from the purported letter
from Symington that Houbert has in his
possession, but if Symington did write it
Houbert must have great power over
HIM"
Mrs. F. 0. Houbert. nee Syminglon,
has taken up the cudgels IN her spouse's
behalf. The following communication
contains her version of the affair and is
ublished without abridgement, and is
Given literally:
Z Editor Herald 1t is with feeling of
tegret that | seem obliged TO give to the
public at large a statement of my own
Rffairs which should be private instead of
public property. l can see no reason or
grounds for the assertions which have
been made regarding our affairs through
the public press, Many divorces have
been granted and no comment made
thereon many marriages have taken
place and the public has not had their
Idle curiosity aroused concerning the de-
tails thereof, and last but not least (in
this case) many mems lives have been
insured for the benefit of their families
without the insnuatiOn being made
that for a paltry sum human life was
being endangered. Strange it is that we
so often see manifested by man such de-
pravity of thought. Money seems to be
the god" OF some people, yet | for one
have found out that it will not purchase
happiness. 1t Is a small factor when we
lock and see the many other requisites
needful, and it high time that the people
awake and find out each for himself and
herself the basis upon winch true man
hood and womanboOd is founded. When
Shat is learned there Will be less idle gos-
sip. less suspicious" thought, and man
kind will LOOK upon each other to see
manifested true manhood and woman
mood rather than search for some deprav-
ed element of the human mind. ] viii
admit the case in question is an unusual
one-rather out OF the common-that,
my friends. is why the public is so envi-
Gus to know the facts. As is reported DR..
Houbert did marry W. Y. Symington's
divorced wife and Mr.. Symington did 90
to the mountains in company with Mr..
Houpert and wife, but not as a "lackey."
but as brother whom they thought the |
mountain air would benefit, and 1t was |