The San Francisco call., 1897-07-17
Proceedings Brief and
Behind Closed
Doors.
Plaintiffs Charge of InfideIity
Is Supported by a
Witness.
band-The Case Taken Under
Advisement.

HhLONO, SAD.. July lO-Iu QlVOICe
suit of Amanda J. Fennell against Gerald
M. Fennell was tried this morning before
Judge Conley of MADEIRA, who is presId-
ing in Department of the Superior Court
during the absence of Judge Webb. The
proceedings were comparatively brief,
hardly an hour being occupied, and the
court took the case under advisement.
The plaintiff, herself, and A. Brown.
whose home is in New York, were the
only witnesses examined, the defense not
placing any on the stand. The hearing
was held behind closed doors at the re-
quest of both parties. Mrs. Fennell was
represented by Attorney Frank ii. Short
and the husband by w. T. Porter.
The ground on which the divorce is
asked is infdelity on the part of Mr.. Fen
nell. and the complaint contains no other
allegation on which the decree of separa-
tion is asked. The offense was committed
at a certain place known ss the Lorraine
House, in Los Angeles, several months
ago, and the erring husband made no
denial of the charge in court to-day.
The plaintiff went upon the stand first
and testified that she was living at Los
Angeles at the time of the faithlessness OF
habiting as man and wife, having had a
disag greement, Mrs. Fennell noticed that
her husband was staying out at late and
unusual hours of the night She insti-
tuted inquiry as to where he was spend
ing his time, and was told that if she
would watch the Lorraine House she
would learn where he wa. The plaintiff
had watch placed on her husband, and
what she had been informed proved TO be
correct
This was the substance of the womans s
brief testimony Mr.. Brown was then
called. He had accompanied MIR. FennelI
to the questionable house on the occasion
indicated in the complaint and supported
the allegation. Trafford Hutesman of
the Val Verde Mining Company of Los
Angeles had accom- panied the witness
and Fennell to the place.
Neither of the witnesses had testified as
to the character of the house in question,
and in response to a question by Judge
Conley Mr.. Brown amusinglv stated that
Mr.. Fennell did not say his prayers there.
The defense had no testimony to offer
and the court .ten announced that he
would take the case under advisement.
He will probably render a decision next
week.
Mrs. Fennell this evening accorded THE
CALL correspondent an intarview, and she
positively denied that there was any col
fusion between herself and MIR. Fennell to
secure the ovorce. She hal explained to
him the conclusive evidence she had
against him and he admitted that it was
a sufficient ground Oh which she could
| obtain divorce.
When she expressed her determination
to sue for a separation and he realized
that he could not swerve her from her
purpose, he agreed not to cause her any
trouble, being convinced that she would
1 =fr1l hn
came TO Fresno recently and they ar
ranged their business affairs anica bly,.
Mrs. Fenneil stated that her husband
deemed this to be the sensible way of set
Ting the matter. Mrs Fennell declined
TO sta:e what the ground was on which
she based the action, and refused to talk
of what transpiIed in the courtroom.
81 only wish 10 speak we'll OF Mr. Fem
nell. for he has manly character in many
| respects" said Mrs. Fennel. II never
| expect 10 see him again, but if we do meet
we snail be friends. | intend to make
| Fresno my permanent home, and it has,
in fact, been my home for several mon hs.
When l was In Los Angeles | consulted
Mr.. Hunsaker, my attorney there, with a
view 10 filing the divorce suit in that
county. but he told me that my residence
was in Fresno and that l must bring the
action here. l am now moving my iurni-
lure into my residence ON NJ street and
shall make my home there. OF course
the unpleasant notorietv given me in this
case by the newspapers is very disagree
able, and | think the comments of the Ex-
positor are outrageous. They are so out
OF place that | think they will react
strongly against the paper"
Mr.. Fennell left on this evenings train
for Flagstaff, AriZ., where he has mining
interests and an insurance business. He
was urged by his friends to go.
The Expositor again had a 'roast" for
the couple this evening and Mr.. FennelI
was inclined TO make another effort to
force Editor Ziegenfuss to sign q retrac-
ton, but friends gave him better counsel.