The San Francisco call., 1897-07-16
.fENNELLS SEEK
A RETRACT|ON
Invade the Home of the
Fresno ExpOSitOr'S
Editor.
Accompanied by the Private
Secretary and a Negro
BruiSer.
The Newspaper Man Stands His
Ground and a BurIy Officer
Does the Rest.

FRESNO, CAL, July 15-The Fennell
divorce case is becoming very interesting.
This evening Mr.. Fennell made an unsuc-
cessful attempt 10 force Editor C. o.
Ziegenfuss of the Daily Expositor 20 sign
rerraction OF what he said in an editorial
to-day in censure of the notorious couple.
Fennell, his wife, Mr.. Gamage, her private
secretary, and a negro of fighting prociivi-
ties drove up to the home of the editor on
K street about O'Clock this evening.
Mrs. Fennell alone remained in the car
riags while the three men went into tn he
house.
Ziegenfuss is not the kind Of man to
sign retraction of any kind. He says he
refused to accede to the demand made by
Fenneu. Notwithstanding that the trio
practically had the editor, who was un-
armed, at their mercy. Fennell and the
negro were not as brave as they thought
they would be. probably, and they gave
Ziegenfuss an opportunity to send for two
policemen, who cleared the house.
When Officer Clifton arrived at the
place Mrs. Fennel was sitting in the
carriage in the street and he asked her
who was in the house. She replied that
Mr.. Fennell was and dared the officer to
pCt him out. The policeman became
vigorous when talked TO in that manner,
and the way he hustled the negro, Few
nell and the frnctionary out was an OBJ
ject lesson of the valor of the trio.
Ziegeniuss' comments in the editorial
were severe. but they meet with the senti-
ment of the public, which Is thoroughly
disguised with the actions of the woman
and her husband. The editorial referred
to Mrs. FennelI as notorious woman,
and stated that decree of divorce would
be m kerry of the law.
sit seems to us 10 be so fiagrant case
go disrespectful to the law, so defiant OF
public opinion and so opposed to the
good morals the editor stated, "that we
would not be doing our duty by this COM
munity did we not refer to it."
Zlegenfuss' views are upheld by almost
every one, and much doubt is expressed if
the court will grant a divorce. An at
tempt was made to try the suit this AFTER
noon before Judge Conley OF MADEIRA, who
is presiding in Department 2of the su-
perior Court in place of Judge Webb, W no
Is taking his vacation, but Judge Conley
continued the hearing till Tomorrow
morning at o'clock. The defendant is
willing TO waive all his rights as to time
and filed an answer to-day in which he
made general denial of all the allega-
tions in the complaint in one sentence.
His attorney is w. I. Porter.
1t cannot be denied that the case is
mystiiying. Every one connected with it
Is maintaining tue greatest secrecy, and it
cannot be learned what Mrs. FenneIl al.
leges as the grounds for divorce.
The actions of the husband are indeed
peculiar and they can only be explained
hu Ia bof hn ic h
fascinated with the woman. notwithstand-
ing the hear less manner in which she
treats him; in fact, man OF good sense
would not act as he does.
THE CALL correspondent ascertained
from good authority Today that Fenneil
may resist the suit. He Will refuse to pay
her allmony, and if this is asked lie will
fight the case. He is, in fact, very un-
willing that she shall have divorce, but
the strange control which Mrs. Fennell
seems to have over him is exercised to its
fullest extent. He has agreed TO consent
TO a separation, providing she does not
insist on alimony. 1t is known that the
woman is determined TO have divorce
and that she has no love for her husband
0: all he hangs around her and is
singed as much as the proverbiai moth
ever was.
Fenneli has worn very sad face TO-DAY.
While his wire was eating lunch at the
hotel he came in and took q seat. beside
her and spoke to her in a low and pleading
tone OF voice. Harsh words passed be-
tween the two, and then Mrs. Fennel-
Uttered at her husband derisively. Fen
nell accompanied his vile TO the court
room to-day and went driving with her.
The trial in the morning will be held be-
hind closed doors. 1t Is the intention of
Mrs. Fennell to leave for the south to-
morrow night, by which time she expects
to be free from the bonds OF matrimony
again. Fennell says he will go to San
Francisco.