The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-05-13
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
The Trial of the Ballerino Divorce Suit Com
menced Before Judge Shaw

The trial of the divorce suit brought
by Mrs M. A. Ballerino against Bar
tolo Ballerino was commenced peIore
Judge Shaw in department hVe OF the
superior court yesterday morning DE-
hind closed doors. Owing to the proper
ty interests involved, the case promises
to be holly contested and may go to the
supreme court for final settlement. the
grounds on which the divorce Is asked
is adultery, and quite a sensation was
caused when the suitsyas filed. Mrs. Bal
lerino Is represented by j. Marion
Brooks. Judge Miller and Judge Hatch,
while the interests of the defendant are
in the hands Of Major Horace Bell.
The Ballerinos are among the Oldest
settlers in Southern California and are
very wealthy, so far as property Is con-
cerned. Among other real estate own
ed by Ballerino is a tract OF 16O acres
adjoining the west city boundary ana
bounded on the south by Pico street
and on the west by Ninth. This tract
is in the territory recently annexed. ana
is one of the most desirable pieces OF
real estate in the city. The tract is I'M
improved, there being only small frame
cottage on it with afew primitive out
buildings. There was formerly small
adobe on Pico street, but this has been
torn down. On this place Ballerino lived
and raised a large family OF children,
some of whom are now married. Among
other property owned by Ballerino are
some lots on the west side of Alameda
street, on which he has several cribs. ana
it is the possession OF this properly
which has apparently led to the old
mans undoing. Among Ballerino's ten
ants was a rather good-looking young
Belgian woman known as Irma, and 1t Is
alleged that the old man forgot his mar
riage vows and yielded to her wiles. Mrs.
Ballerino became suspicious and began
to watch her husband, and when she
had secured what she thought was pos
tive proof of his infidelity, she went to
live with one of her married daughters
and instituted divorce proceedings.
The proceedings yesterday developed
nothing sensational, in fact were ratnef
commonplace. AS soon as the case was
called the plaintiff put the defendant on
the stand to prove the amount and value
of their property, with It's income, anu
what disposition had been made OF the
money received. All of the property,
which is roughly estimated at s250OOo.
Is alleged to be community properly,
which fact explains why the case is be-
ing so closely contested. Ballerino
claimed that much of the real estate Is
unproductive, and that the income from
his ranch does not pay the taxes, ex-
penses, etc. When asked how much
money he had given his wife in the last
ten wears. Ballerino said that he had no
idea. He had given her money. as she
needed it. sometimes 81, sometimes 80
and sometimes $40. He had kept up the
family expenditures and purchased the
clothing, ETC., for the children. The de-
PENDANT was very closely questioned on
this line, and some rather peculiar facts
were brought out in regard to the do
nestle economy Of the household.
The plaintiff then took her stand and
gave her testimony in the matter Of
the adultery charge. When her suspi-
cions became aroused she began MAX
ing Investigations, and finally began to
watch her husband. She saw him enter
the room of the Belgian woman, when
the door would be closed and the shades
pulled down. He would remain in the
place from fifteen to twenty minutes
She saw him enter the house and leave
IT on several occasions.
This was about the substance Of her
testimony, though it is said to be strong
ly corroborated, and other witnesses VIII
furnish direct proof
The trial will be resumed this morn
! ing.