The San Francisco call., 1897-09-28
Family Soiled Linen Aired
for the Benefit Of
the Mob.
Mother and Children Used to
Indulge in All Sorts of
Quarrels.
The Case Takes On Very Malodor-
Gus Hue in Judge 0offey's
Courtroom.

1t was a sort of housec Gaming day in
the Bell case All the family rows we're
fumieated for the benefit of the curious
mob that feeds on scandal, and very
nasty mess it was. Young Fred Bell had
the stand all the day, and according to the
story he told there was good deal OF jar
in the family aside from the part Nanny
Pleasant played in its destiny. Mother
and children did not kneel in family
prayers together.
The evidence became so malodorous in
the afternoon that the services OF the
shorthand reporter were dispensed with
in order that it might not 90 on record.
The attorney for the mother was seeking
to disprove the statements OF the son that
the children were neglected, and all the
soiIed linen of the family was hung out.
BY way of beginning, young Bell said
that since his tather's death five years ago
he had not received over $1,000 for his own
expens ses. be was shown a receipt ior
$1,000 which he received from the al minis
traitors of the estate, and saiG that
although he had signed his mother 5
name TO it the cash had been turned over
20 Nanny Pleasant. He said that
Nanny Pleasant had authorized him at
all times TO sign mis- mothers name to re-
cei pts for money, although il developed
that Mrs. Bell knew nothing of these
tran sactioDs.
In the afternoon the examination of
young Bell turned on his personal habits.
II was asked by way of beginning If he
had ever spit in his mothers face. de
denied the charge strenuouSly, but ad-
mitIeI that be had struck her, and that
there were turbulent times in the house
hold. He related q family row at which
the mother abused his sister in very
vrulent manner, and as u result he was
forced to interfere in behalf of the young
woman. He admitted that he spent .he
greater portion OF his time In corner
groceries, but added as an excuse that
Nanny Pleasant had denied him the use
of the library in his home, and he look to
the saloons for solace.
How many glasses OF beer do you drink
a day ?"
Since my accident l have not drunk
over eighteen glasses day"
"W hat do you do 10 spend your timer
Il talk, smoke cigarettes"
"What other exercise do you indulge in
besides smoking cigarettes?"
None other. except wal king"
How many times have you been drunk
since your aCcidentP'
II don't know OF any"
How many places do you drink in2'
"Ohl seven or eight
Have you route-a cocktail routeP
Il did before my accident, but ! called it
a scent route--a steam beer route"
Bell then related the history of his re-
cnvery from his accident. He declared
that while be was upon crutches his
mother used TO urge him to drink ale and
porter 1t seems beer was most to his lik-
ing and the "can was rushed" for his
benefit. For two and half years previous
fatp ar'S ha Hp1j Tod bot ba
had not spoken to his moth-r. Once or
twice, during the course of family rows,
he had gone so far as to strike his sister
and, incidentally. he used TO take it out OF
the nide of his younger brothers when his
temper was out of sorts. The remainder
of the dav was devoted to a recital of petty
family jars in which every body, from
Nanny Pleasant to the youngest mem
Der of the family, took a hand.
The case goes on to-day.