Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-09-18

The week just past has been one OF
the most sensational in the history OF
this city for some time back, and one
startling sensation has been quickly
followed up by another, until the pub
lie has been thrown into fat Of exc
pectancy, wondering what will come
next.
The Bell mansion, commonly known
as the "House Of silence" on account
Of the many strange occurrences thar
have transpired there, and for which
no explanation has ever been given
either to the police or the public VINO
are equally perpleXed concerning
them, has added another chapter to
its mysterious history, though. as
heretofore. no new light has been shed
upon the mystery, and matters nave
become even more complicated. The
first cloud settled over the house in
1899, when Thomas Bell, millionaire
was killed by falling oter the stair
railing to the hall belowand the cause
has never been ascertained. About
year ago Fred Bell his son, met with
a similar accident in another house,
I0Oukn II hlu IbN llhNN AttNfAAf 'f''N
since his recovery he has remained
perfectly silent as to how the accident
happened. The household is con-
trolled by an aged colored woman'
who manages the estate to suit her
self, and seems to hold a strange In
nuence over the entire family. Bad
feelings exist between Fred Bell and
his mother, and a short time ago ne
filed suit to have her removed as
guardian of the estate and the minor
children, setting forth allegations that
were sensational In themselves. Dur
ing the trial Of this action, when Mrs.
Bell was placed upon the witness
stand, she testified that she was not
the mother of Fred Bell nor OF his sis
ter Marie though she had raised them
from infancy and always allowed them
to believe she was their mother These
disclosures created a great sensation,
though II fails to lift the veil that
hangs over this mysterious family.
After a trial that has lasted for five
months the Fair-Craven case has
finally reached decision, rendered in
favor of the plaintiff. The jury after
being out five hours stood eight 10
four in favor of the defendant, and
failing to agree We're discharged. The
Judge then took the responsibility and
gave verdict for the plaintiff. In rem
dering this judgment he declared II
to be his opinion that the pencil Will,
the Craven deeds and letters were
forgeries and that the ackuowl-
edgements TO the deeds We're fraudu-
lent, though In his findings he fails
TO mention any eveidence of con-
spiracy. The attorney for Mrs. Craven
made n request for new trial but this
order the Judge refused to make. so
the matter will In all probability
next open up in the supreme court.
The closing of this case was marked
by one of the bltterest fights be-
tween opposing counsel that has ever
blotted the records Of court Instead
Of combining themselves in their final
arguments to the records and evidence
of the case at issue, the attorneys
took this opportunity of airing their
personal grievances toward one an
other, which does not speak very well
for the respect and dignity of the court.
Attorney d. NJ. Delmas was both Bit
ter and abusive toward the attorneys
on the opposing side, and in answer
Attorney Charles NJ. Wheeler for the
plaintiff seemed to disregard the
case entirely and direct his whole
argument TO abusing Demas and
digging up past misdeeds that We're
better long since de0d.
Another sensation that has shocked
the mind Of this peaceful community
lis the divorce suit fled by Mrs. Win
nifred S. Black, better known to the
public as Annie Laurie against her
husband, Grin Black, Mrs Black Is
newspaper writer, formerly con-
nected with the Examiner and now
with New York journal. Divorce
cases are quite commonplace occur
rences almost anywhere, but when
persons Of public note become in
volved. more or less notoriety Is at
tached to them, consequently the above
proved n gretat surprise. as even the
most intimate friends of the couple
were not aware that their married life
was anything but happy.
EN-Queen LiliuOtlan of thcHawaiian
Islands Is in the city looking for rest
tention of remaining here until the
next session OF Congress, when she
Will return to Washington to look after
her interests when the annexation
treaty comes before Congress for an.
proval. 1t is rumorcd that she will be
Joined here by her niece Princes.
Kaiulaui who is returning from
abroad, and together they win ar.
range some plan and engage Counse
to oppose the annexation OF the is
lands. The princess, who is tht
rightful successor to the throne, hlamei
her aunt for the overthrow Of III,
monarchy, so consequently the bes
them; but this breach will pfobnbl,
about Il reconciliation between aun