The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-14
GENE WANTS $4,000.
Bodega Artists Case Reopened-HOt
Fight Promised.

A matter came up before Judge Smith a.
special term yesterday morning, which makes
pubic case which up to the present time
has been kept quiet in the district court by
Keeping the papers in the case in attorneys
HANDS the 1aajor portion of the time.
Albert II. Hall appeared with a motion fer
a vacation of the judgment in the case of
Genevieve G. Wells against Mrs. S. A. Pen
field, for the reason that it had been arrang-
ed and brought to judgment through the col
fusion Of the attorneys for the plaintiff whose
position in the case Mr.. Hall had taken Judge
Smith listened to the arguments, and gave
Attorney FaFnam until "Wednesday to secure
affdayits, before he will decide.
The case grew out Of the troubles of a
trio OF parties which resulted in an action
for $4,000 damages against S. A. Penfield. 1t
appeared from the papers and the argument
that some time ago Walter A. Wells was in
the employ of Mrs. Penfeld, in the music
business. and had her utmost confidence until
he met Genevive G. Gibson, with whom he
became infatuated. Mrs. Penfeld secured
the services Of detectives among them man
named Bracket, fireman in the employ of
the city. and he reported to her that. Wells
had secured position for one Gene Ve.a
-Hela," as performer IN the Bodega at St.
Paul, Wells accompanying her there every
day. Bracket made written report to MIS-
Penfeld, headed ITO whom it NAV concern
setting forth these statements, and signed
ms ms name: Mrs Penield also claimed to
have secured information to the effect that
Gene Vera Vella and Miss ellison were one
ana the same and also that Miss ellison had
maze maze cate with travelling man"
h MehS. at Streator; III, asking him to use
his influence TO have Waiter" leave the
company of such disreputable woman How
ever things grew worse instead of better
ana the complaint alleges that at several
times on the public street, 1. e.. Nicollet ave
nue. Mrs Penfield met Genevire G. Wells
ana called her vile names and made accusa-
mons against her as to her moral character
For this the $4,000 was asked
g IN her answer to the complaint. Mrs. Pen
field claimed that the letter she wrote to
wells brother was a private affair and not
for the public and a privileged communica-
ton; that Walter himself had told her that
the defendant was bad woman, and more
over. that certain Of the statements as to her
character Were true. Finally the case was set
tied by the filing Of paper signed by the
attorneys, in which Judgment for the de-
PENDANT was ordered on the merits of the
case.
Nothing would have happened had not Mr..
ellison, well known attorney of Chicago,
appeared in Minneapolis and learned of the
affair. He looked up the records and discoy
cred that the judgment in the case was "for
the defendant on its merits" This caused
hlm 10 take action to have the Judgment
opened.
II have been In the city three weeks" he
said to Judge Smith this morning, waiting
for the matter to be heard. 1t Is most i'm
perative that action be taken.''
AS the Judgment now stands said Mr.
Hall 1T stamps this gentleman's daughter
as woman Of no character and is a vile
SANDER, on the records"
r., If your honor please" said Mr. Farnam,
1 would willingly tell you the names of the
witnesses 1 wish to secure, but I do NOT
want the other side to know so that those wit
nesses may be bounded by the detective
agency OF Mooney BoIn and their tool.
Fortwangler. as they have had all our wit
nesses bounded in the past"
You have no right to make that state
ment," cried Mr.. Gilson
Il have" was the retort, s'for to nv
knowledge you have spent much time with
this Fortwangler since you have been
here" ~
The case promises to assume warm nro
portions by. Wednesday next. when # l.
to be heard in chambers