Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-28
PETER SELLS ONCE MORE
ON THE WITNESS STAND.
HE ADMITTED, UNDER CROSs-Ex-
ANIMATION, THAT HE HAD
SOWN SOME WILD OATS.
BUT THAT WAS IN HIS YOUTH
HOW HE SCHEMED TO SECURE
POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY
IN HIS WIFE'S NAME.

~ AAc ~ - - = 4s-H&tAA'
COLUMBUS. O., November 81
Peter Sells to-day was under the fire
of the cross-examination Of Cyrus HUI
ing, attorney for the defense in Sells
VS.. Sells. Under that fire the plaintlff
made some admissions. These admls-
sions included acknowledgement OF
having sown his wild oats in his youth
ana OF thinking fully as much OF his
property az OF his outraged feelings,
even up to the evening of his separa-
ton from his wife. His early social
sins he admitted in terms too frank to
be used here.
There was Maggie White, who, ac-
cording to Peter, both has character
and lacked it. With the exception that
she was fallen woman, she was a
woman of considerable strength OF
character, he said. This intimacy be-
gan in 1869, but ended, he protested Wig
orously, before his marriage. This
woman was also known as Maggie An
drews She was the mistress of Alex.
Andrews, a Columbus storekeeper. Be
fore his marriage he told Mary all
about this woman. He denied that
there was any offspring from this init
macy.
Witness admitted visits to question
able resorts, but only in his youh. He
had drank more before his marriage
than since. Twice since his welded
life began he had gone home intoxi-
Gated, but never had he abused or
struck his wife, and he occasionally
played seven-up in a saloon, for he is
very fond of all games. At home he
even played marbles and Mrs. Sells is
skilled player at this. child's game.
Again, as yesterday, Mr.. Sells vehe-
mently denied having compelled his
wife to ride in the circus.
Dropping the personal the cross-ex-
animation took up the property side
and endeavored to bring out that the
plaintiff, after he was fully convinced
of the falsity of his wife, pretended ig-
norance to her for the sole purpose of
getting control Of property which was
hers in name at least. The defense in
troduced three letters between the hus-
band and wife and three between him
and Detective Mahoney. These letters
were written November Is. Is and 20,
but a few days before the separation.
Each day he wrote an affectionate let
ter to his wife. He also wrote stern
business letter to the detective. One
letter written from New Orleans. he
closed with love and kisses for you
both, yours affectionately." The other
two began Dear Name" and had the
sYours affectionately" at the end. Mr..
Sells acknowledged the letter and adj
mitted he knew his wife was false to
him when he induced her to sign over
$3.50 900 of property. The transfer was
made the night before the separation
and was made to Mrs Sells attorney,
]. e. Safer, in trust
In defense, Mr. Sells claimed the
property was his and that he had deed
ed 1t to his wife simply because the
show business was risky. Witness
gave a list of his realty holdings and
personal property, and then sought
to make out that the show had not
made much money. True in 1899 the
circus had cleared 100000 in cash,
from which was to be deducted 100000
for wintering and getting it ready for
the next season but it was the only
year in thepast ten when there had been
a profit. In 1897 the show swallowed
up $50, 900 cash. and they quit the seas
on owing employee wages, $4,000 to a
bank, and $4,000 for printing bills.
1855 and 1889 had been the last pros
porous years before 1899.
Still after the big season Of 1899
Mr.. Sells sold out his one-fourth in
terest to Lewis Sells for $4,000. The
Sells Bros. had never kept a balance
sheet until Mr.. Bailey purchased an
interest In the old days brother Eph
was financial manager, and when the
season closed the four brothers met
at Eph's house, and if there was any
thing to divide, each took his share.
If there were no profits, there was no
decision.
incidentally an odd coincidence came
out earlier in the testimony. When De-
tective Mahoney wished to open the
plaintiffs eyes to the wreck of his
home, he telephone the Sells residence
and Mr.. Sells was not at home and Mrs.
Sells took the message. The detective
said a man named Smith wanted to
have Mr.. Sells call on him that evening
at a certain room at the Chittenden
Hotel on exceedingly important bust
ness. Wholly unsuspecting that she
was strating the train of circumstances
which would end thirty days later in
her undoing and her husbands deser-
ton of her, Mrs. Sells gave Mr.. Sells
this message.