The herald., 1896-04-28
Punished for Evading Process Of the Court
In 1909

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The very laudable desire of Charles
John. alias John Orth, to take part in
the Fiesta festivities has landed that
individual in the county Jail, and at the
same time revived interest in an almost
forgotten scandal. In 1892 Orth's wife
secured a divorce from him on the
ground of adultery after a very sensa-
tionai trial. The correspondent was
dashing blonde named Mrs Matte Nc
Cloud. Orth filed a cross complaint,
In which he alleged habitual intemper-
ance on the part of his wife, and fought
the case to the bitter end. Orth was at
that time the foreman of the gas works.
In receipt of a fair salary, and he was
ordered by the court, in awarding the
decree, to pay attorneys fees, costs and
40 per month alimony. On the granting
OF the divorce Orth promptly stopped
the payment of alimony. and in August.
1892, when cited to appear before Judge
wade, now deceased and show cause
why he should not be punished for con-
tempt, instead of obeying the mandate
OF the court he resigned his place and
le1t 1or parts unknown. An attachment
was issued for him and diligent search
made, but no trace of the missing man
could be found.
After a time the matter was forgotten
and. nothing more being heard of Orth,
1t was supposed that he had left the
country for good. On Saturday, how
ever, as Mrs. Orth was walking up Main
street she came face to face with her
FORMER husband, who was promenading
the sidewalk in company with another
woman. He was somewhat changed in
appearance, and did not notice his WIFE
but she recognized him and had him
shadowed to a lodging house on San
Julian street. Leaving the place guard
ed, Mrs. Orth at once communicated
n =
attachment was issued and Saturday
night Orth was arrested and locked up
in Jail.
Yesterday morning the old man was
brought before Judge York to show
cause why he should not be punished
for contempt. The judgment roll in the
divorce suit was put in evidence, among
the papers being the attachment with
Orth's signature on the back acknowl-
cdging service. Mrs. Orth was also on
hand and testified that she had never
seen or heard from her former husband
since mis- unceremonious departure from
the city.
Orth then took the stand, and on his
statement that he had no money to en-
ploy an attorney, Lew j. Claiborne was
appointed to defend him. In answer to
questions Orth stated that while he
must have received the attachment as
his name was on it, he had no recollec-
tion of it, as he was out of his mind on
account of his troubles He said that he
did not know how he left the city, but
supposed that he must have been taken
to San Francisco by his friends, as when
his recollection returned he was with
his children by his first wife in that city.
He said that he had been completely
broken up by his divorce business, that
all he had was taken from him, and that
his health had since been so bad that he
M fa l-n Of v,r.s
bility or trust but had supported HIM
self by going through the country
grinding knives, sharpening saws and
doing work of that character. He had
returned to Los Angeles about nine
months ago, and had supported himself
in an Indifferent way by knife grinding
ETC., since he has been here. He de-
clared that he had no money, and, in
fact, had been unable to properly take
care of himself even, much less pay
alimony..
Are you living alone in Los Ange-
les?" asked Mr.. Trask.
mo- replied Orth, 'I am living with
my wife"
This statement caused a mild shock.
but as soon as he recovered Mr.. Trask
proceeded to interrogate the witness on
this line In answer to questions Orth
stated that he had married in this city.
having taken out the license in the
name of Holden, and was, in fact,
known by that name in the house where
he resided. He said that he had taken
out the license under this name because
he did not wish to be teased about his
divorce suit.
When he had concluded the court took
the matter under advisement until
o'clock, at which time he sentenced Orth
to five days Imprisonment in the county
Jail, at the expiration of which time he
will probably be allowed to go in peace