The herald., 1897-11-10
Old Man Lassell Says He
Was Defrauded
AND HIS CLAIM DENOUNCED
E. W. BABCoCK SUES THE TRAC-
TIoN COMPANY
The Hoffman Trial Ended-McMullen
Put in the Dungeon-Reward
for the Rape Fiend

Quite q sensational suit was begun
yesterday in Judge Van Dykes depart
men before a jury. An old man named
A. D. Lassell is seeking to compel Will
liam Campbell to reconvey to him GER
tain property near Downey, out OF
which, if the allegations made are cor
rect, he was defrauded in a heartless
manner.
Old man Lassell had a twenty-nine
acre ranch on the Pettus tract of the
Rancho Santa Gertrudes, which is
crossed by the San Gabriel river, and
also owned water rights and stock in
the Agricultural Ditch company; the
entire proptrey being valued at $500.
This property was unincumbered save
for mortgage of $500, made to Miss Em-
lily Whelan.
In September, 1895, Mrs. Lassell had
been declared insane and sent to the
Highland hospital. The husband, who
is now 70 years of age, was weak and
feeble in mind and body, and these char
acteristics were accentuated by the un-
happy condition of his wife. The ranch
was neglected and the old man believed
he would be overcome by sudden illness,
and in his isolated position on the ranch
die without aid or assistance reaching
him. The defendant, Campbell, resided
on a small ranch adjoining Lassells.
and under the peculiar conditions indi-
Gated posed as the true, disinterestci
friend of the old man, and frequently ad-
vised him on matters of business. 1t is
alleged that in November, 1895, he per-
suaded Lassell to enter into an agree
ment with him with the ulterior design
of obtaining all of his property, knowing
that the old man was feeble in mind and
body and could not make decided, lucid
and forceful opposition. He proposed
that Lassell should execute his deed to
the ranch to him, and he in return prom
ised to fulfill the following conditions:
He undertook to pay off the $500 mort
gage on Lassell's ranch, and buy the
ranch adjoining upon which he lived,
and which was valued at $500; to pro-
vide Mr.. and Mrs. Lasseil with a pleas
ant home during their lifetime, with
liberal support, clothing, medical at
tendance and maintenance; be kind and
attentive and in all things take the place
to the Lassells of dutiful son.
Believing that Campbell spoke and
acted in good faith the old man con-
sented to this oral agreement and an
nounced his readiness to make convey
ance of his property. 1t is claimed, how
ever, that for purposes of his own Camp
bell preferred to obtain title in another
way. He represented to Lassell that in
order to convey a good title it would
be necessary to foreclose the mortgage
and have the property sold and in this
way only could valid title be conveyed
from the plaintiff to the defendant.
Campbell went to Miss Emily Whelal
and induced her on February l. 1896 to
foreclose the mortgage. Lassell, no.
knowing the law, as he claims, made no
denur and the property was sold to sat
isfy this mortgage and bought in by
Miss Whelan. At the expiration of the
time for redemption the sheriff gave n
deed to the property and on January 6,
1887, Lassell was fully dispossessed by
Miss Whelan deciding the property to
Campbell.
Now, Lassell alleges that Campbell
money to lift the mortgage or buy the
ranch he lived on, and. Furthermore.
after the plaintiff S ranch was conveyed
by Miss Whelan to Campbell the latter
gave her a mortgage for S643, bearing the
same rate of interest as the previous
From that time to this Campbell has.
1t Is claimed, refused to give Lassell
any written evidence of the oral agree
ment. In March. 1896, Mrs. Lassell died
at the Highland hospital. In April 1896,
while plaintiff was i'll, the defendant pre-
scented what he represented was a deed
of conveyance from Lassell to himself
and Lassell signed it. Later he dis
covered that none of the stipulations of
the oral agreement were included in the
document he had signed, and the con-
sideration was entered as '$137 and other
At the beginning of the present year
Campbell began to treat Lassell un-
kindly, SO it is said. He denied him
medical attendance, clothing, etc, and
became rough in his treatment He told
Lassell plainly that he was under no
obligation to support him, and that he
ing utterance to these sentiments Camp
bell was occupying Lassell's ranch hav-
ing taken possession of the premises
working stock and personal property,
valued at 1915.
The worm will turn if it is prodded
enough, and Lassell finally notified
Campbell that he had rescinded his deed
of conveyance, and offered him certain
terms to reconvey to him his property.
Campbell refused to do this. and so
Lassell brought the present suit
In his answer Campbell brands Las
sells series of allegations as a fairy
tale. He claims there We're various in
on the plaintiffs ranch in
cluding homestead, and the insanity
and death of Mrs. Lassell complicated
matters and made the conveyance of
title difficult. He claims that he has
lived up to the terms of the compact
made, has kept and is keeping Mr.. Las
sell and has expended considerable
for his use and comfort, but that
he is old and irritable and hard to deal
with.
ANOTHER DAMAGE SUIT