The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-15
HER LAWYERS KEPT OUT.
MRS. BARrELI a PRISoNER IN a
BOARDING ROUSE.

The Lawyers with q Ladder Gals Access to
Her Rsoun and Take Her 20 n H~otei-They
SAP Their Client nH wealthy ana Thnt the
Lnbdinay mad Designs on Her Property.
Frcd d. House Of tho law firm Of Friend,
House a. Grossman was q complainant In tho
Jefferson Market Court yesterday. He told
Magistrate Simms that Mrs. Robert, who keeps q
boarding house at 90 West Sixteenth street,
had refused to admit him to her promises when
he called there to soc his client, Mrs. Elizabeth
Hartell, who is a boarder. He said ho had been
called in by Lawyer James d. McClelland. who
wished his assistance In gaining ON entrance to
the house. Mrs. Hartell, according to the story
told by the lawyers, was virtually a prisoner in
her room, not being permitted to receive callers
or to see any one. .
"Your Honor" said Mr.. House. II want Mr..
McClclland to tell you what I consider one Of
the greatest outragos that has ever occurred In
this vicinity. Serious action should be taken
in regard. to the case"
Tho other lawyer then told his story. He
said:
ION Friday I received q note from Mrs. Har-
tell, O former client, In which she asked me to
call, as she was in need OF loyal advice; When I
called at tho house and asked to see her was
admitted and taken to her room. Sho was
much excited and told me that she did not feel
safo, saying also that the boarding house people
refused to permit her TO sec any one in private.
During our conversation Mrs. Robert and her
daughter remained in the room and finally or
dercd me from the house. left after advising
Mrs. Hartell OF her rights, but returned again
on Saturday to advise her that ehe had better
remove to another place.
II then learned that Mrs. Robert had called
at tho West Thirtieth street station the night
before. and char ged my client with assault,
telling the Sergeant that she was insane, and
demanding that sho DO taken into custody"
He added that the police came to the house
with a patrol wagon to remove Mrs. Hartell.
They were unable. however. to find any signs
of insanity and told Mrs. Robert go.
"Your Honor" he continued. II think this 10
an attempt on tho part OF tho boarding house
people to gain possession Of the property OF my
client, who is wealthy and has many valuable
papers in hor trunk"
Mrs. Robert and her daughter, who were In
court, asked the Magistrate to issue . warrant
for Mrs. Har,ell. for assault. Mrs. Robert ad-
mitted that she had refused to permit lawyers
or other visitors to sec Mrs. Hartoll, and ao-
knowledged that she had not sent any food to
the woman since Friday.
Magistrate Simms directed Mrs. Robert to
let the lawyers sec their client and not in any
way to interfere with them.
After leaving court, House and McClelland
visited tho place. Tit former banged on the
door. but to no avail. Finally they called next
door and by means Of O ladder obtained from the
people living there scaled the fence and gained
access to the room Of Mrs. Hartell through the
second.story window. They found her weak,
nervous. and excited. After an eXpressman had
removed her effects she was taken to a hotel.