The herald., 1897-10-06
DAMAGES F0RS5O,COO CLAIMED
TWO MRS. CRANDALLS PITTED
AGAINST ONE ANOTHER
The Wife Tells How She Was Shipped
to Honolulu and While There
Her Property Disposed Of

generally of such complex character as
that now being retailed for the editica
ton of Judge Van Dyke, in order that
he shall decide who was winner in the
game that was played some years ago.
Mrs. Mary r. Crandall brought suit
quite a long time ago to recover from
Mrs. Clara D. Thompson the sum CT
$50, 900 for the alienation of her hus-
bands affections. The figure is quite
a large one at which to estimate the
affections of a recalcitrant husband, but
inasmuch as money matters are in
volved in the case the amount is not SO
large in reality as it at first glance ap-
pears.
Mr.. and Mrs. Crandall married in
March, 1854, and upon coming to Los
Angeles, she, it is claimed supplied the
money with which her husband began
and built UP the business which, when
sold later, became known as the Cass-
Smurr Hardware company.
1t is claimed that this three-handed
game Of hearts began in 1891, when the
Crandalls were living at Long Beach
and when in the language of Mrs. Gran
dal's complaint, she was enjoying the
society, affection, comfort, assistance
and support of her husband. Mrs. Clara
D. Thompson appeared on the scene and
contrived to deprive Mrs. Crandall Of
these delightful adjuncts to domestic
felicity and maliciously, as it is claimed,
enticed away her husband and induced
him to abandon his wife and cohabit
with her And, truth to tell, Mr. Gran
dali did do so, or at least it is alleged he
did, and took up his residence with Mrs.
Thompson, "and was harbored and car
nally known and debauched by Mrs.
Thompson, and by and through the en-
ticements and Inducements in carnal
knowledge and debauchipg of Mrs.
Thompson" he continued to live with
her.
In the spring of 1891, Mr. Crandall, at
the instigation of his inamorata, per-
suaded his wife to make the trip to Hon
olulu Once having gotten her down
there hubby refused to make any re-
mittance of funds and Mrs Cranda,l
was stranded in place-very delight
full, it is true, but where by curious
local law no one is allowed to leave on
Indebtedness. Meantime it is claimed
that Mr.. Crandall and Mrs. Thompson
were having high jinks in Los Angeles.
The business that had been established
with his wfe's money Mr.. Crandall dis
posed of for 100000, just about $4,000
less, it is asserted, than its value, and
thus armed with the sinews Of war he
lavished it upon the lady in question
other than his wife. AS for Mrs. Gran
dali herself when she realized that she
was stranded at Honolulu she appealed
to the sympathy of the steamship COM
pary and through its good offices was
returned to her home.
Mrs. Thompson had undoubtedly
scored most points in the game so far.
and Mrs. Crandal went east to Cincin-
natl and in September, 1898, began suit
against her husband for divorce, and
In April, 1894 obtained her decree Then
the litigation began of which this suit
is one phase.
Mr.. Crandall being free to follow his
own inclinations married Mrs. Thomp-
son and, so far, an air of respecta bility
again pervaded his household.
This bare outline of the facts set up
in the case is sufficient it will be per-
ceived, upon which to build very racy
case.
So far, however. with the exception of
Mrs. Crandalls own testimony, the evil
dence has been simply corroborative and
the attorneys have really done more
talking than the witnesses, objections
being constant and arguments upon ad-
missibility being the rule rather than
the exception.
Mrs. Crandall No 1 is represented by
Attorney w. J. Murphy, and Mrs Clara
D. Thompson, alias Mrs Crandall No.
2, is represented by Judge A. M. Steph-
ems and Attorney W. A. Harris, with Mr.
Crandall by their side as advisory coun-
sell
The answer made to the complaint
filed was purely technical, claiming that
the several allegations set up We're
barred by statute.
A number of witnesses testified to
seeing Mr.. Crandall and Mrs. Thompson
together more or less continuously, going
to and fro by the cars to Boyle Heights
Miss Finn, who kept rooming house at
Santa Monica in 1899, testified that she
knew Mr.. Crandall very we'll and that
he stayed at her place when he came
to the seaside. One one occasion he en-
gagged two rooms for himself and a lady
friend for one night Folding doors
separated the rooms, and next morning
Miss Fin rs maidenhood was shocked
at finding indications that one bed only
had been utilized.
The first Mrs. Crandall is a delicate
fragile looking little woman, and has
been a more or less constant invalid TO,
years. She appeared in court yesterday
costumed quite fashionably and gave
her testimony in such manner as te
indicate much refinement, but with a
strong dramatic tinge.
She first told about marrying Mr.. Gran.
dali in Texas, and how tenderly he
nursed her when she lay ILL., In coming
to Los Angeles in 1885 they occupied a
little house on Fort street and there
they lived very happily. These pleasant
relations continued until the spring OF
1891. Mrs. Crandall was i'll at the time
and one night her husband came home
in disturbed state of mind. His wife
was anxious to know what had put
him out and he replied that he had beer
at card party at Mrs Thompson's
and before roomful of people she hat
twitted him with having got his star
in life with his wife's money. He told
them it was a damnable lie and thai
he had $240O of his own. He charged
his wife with having gossiped with som,