The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-10-04

Max Nordeau probably overstepped
the mark when he included the brightest
minds of the age in his black list of de-
generates. -sa
He appears, however, to have hit pref
ty close to the mark when he pronounced
against the mental perverts whose every
idea seems to be tainted with erotic foul
ness.
A case in department one yesterday
would seem to indicate the, truth of this,
and during the hearing of the Combs
divorce case the dramatic and melo
dramatic incidents enlivened proceed
ings very considerably.
Mrs. Clara B. Combs is rather wan
faced little woman, while her husband
that was is veteran of the war and
davis a pension of $14 per month OFF
and on he has lived at the soldiers horne.
while his little family have resided at
Monrovia, Pasadena and latterly at Los
Angeles.
The wife testified that very seldom had
her husband contributed to her support,
but had cruelty ill-used her in variety
of ways. Not only did he strike her, but
he repeatedly accused her of infidelity.
While living at Pasadena Combs made
an attack on his wife and caused the
blood to flow down her face. Her screams
attracted the attention of Mr.. and Mrs.
Mcclure. who, upon rushing into the
room, were met by the laughing hus
band, who said that he was simply kiss
ing his wife.
AS kisser he was not success.
Mrs. Combs. then came to the city to
work, and her husband caused her to be
shadowed and he, himself, kept watch
on the4house where she was boarding, in
order to see who her visitors were.
The little woman's testimony was not
shaken on cross-examination, and a
number of witnesses corroborated her
statements, In each case evidence was
given to the effect that Combs. had
spread it abroad, and took apparent de-
light in speaking of 1t, that his wife had
been VIGOROUSLY untrue with this man
and that.
While these facts were being ELECTED
seat in the body of the court dropped to
the floor with thud. He had a fit and
for few moments confusion reigned in
the court room.
Mrs. Combs was human icicle; she
said her husband was frequently taken
that way. The ailiDg man was carried
into the witness room, and, doctor for
luIdtCiy DCAA6 Cl0SE 81 HAHN, AC oOOA
came around.
When court recopyened in the after
noon the defendant went upon the wit
ness stand and told the most extraor-
binary story. The family with whom
his wife is living are, according to his
statement, of very lax morals. In fact.
they were, if his fancies were to he
believed, living each wife with some
body else's husband by mutual agree
ment
Mr. Combs could not substantiate his
allegations, save in one instance. A
witness stated that he happened acct
dentally to hear Mrs Combs confess to
a derelection Of duty On her part, but as
even this was quite unsupported it went
for nothing.
Judge Smith, in granting the divorce,
awarded the custody of the 4-year-ol
child to the mother, and ordered the
plaintiff to pay S. per month toward
its support.
Then a most curious scene was en-
acted. The defendant went over to his
wife, who was sitting with her child in
her arms. He wished to kiss her, but
she was not eager. He then lavished
kisses on the face of the little one, an
bent over his wife. as If to snatch with
lover-like eagernesS. what had been de
MED him. Attorney Ladd, counsel for
Mrs Combs, made remark to the hus .
fore and now wishing to kiss her The
remark was too much for the mental sta
bility of Combs. He raised his stick as
If to strike the attorney. and the latter
grabbed 1t, and the next instant there
was a tangle of the defendant and at
torney whirling and tearing about the
court room. Judge Smith had vacated
the bench and the pugilistic encounter
went on for several moments. Neither
man had the advantage at first. for they
fell to the ground together, but upon
again regaining their feet and clinch-
ing the attorney got his opponent en-
tangled in the chairs and the fight
ceased.
Throughout it all the wife sat serene
and impressive.
AS the court room cleared the defend
ant gained the ears of some Of the Wit
nesses for the plaintiff. against whom
he had levelled his denunciations from
| the stand. and he. with vehement ges-
| ture, tried to persuade them that they
| We're so many modern Don Juans, and
playing havoc with the hearts of thu.
married females in the house where they
| live.