The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-16

habit of operating a quiet poker game
at the rooms in the Park hotel and at
his private residence, at which both
men and women were guests, to whom
alcoholic liquors were freely served. Mr.
Lyons was also forced to show his in
innate acquaintance with the Sells man
sion on Buttles avenue.
As no direct question was asked Mr.
Lyons as to his relations with the de-
ferdant, other than exposed in his let
tiers to her, it is probable that little de-
tense viii be undertaken. but that an
effort viii be made to show thar the
husband is not entitled to a divorce. as
he did not come into court with clean
hands.
Mrs. Sells is expected to testify in per-
SOL as to her treatment by her husband
from the time she was forced. as a
young bride, to become a circus rider.
down to the days when he sued for di-
vorce on the statutory grounds 1t is
known that extremely sensational depo-
sitiOns have been taken by counsel fol.
the defense rejecting on Mr. Sells as a
husband These dispositions are said to
be Tar more sensa tional than any in
the possession Of the plaintiff Miss
Florence Sells, the daughter Of the con-
tending parties, may also be called as a
witness for the defense. if the plaintiff
does not forsstan this action by sum
mCning her.
Throughout the day Mrs Sells sat i'm
passive as Harry Lyons testified Of the
relations which formerly existed be-
tween tneln- She evidently expected
him to defend her at first and
when he proved a recreant lover. she
smiled in seorn, and occasionally offerd
whispered suggestion or comment to
her attorneys
VIM Bott, one of the co-respondents
sat ON the steps Of Judge Evand's dais
most Of the day, where he could watch
the man who was said to be his rival
as he testified On the other side of the
room sat Peter Sells. facing the witness
chair
He watched witnesses Lyons and
Manoney closely. but did not cast a
glance toward his wife. though she oc-
caaSlonaily glanced at him. apparently in
curiosity to see how he was standing
Not an inch Of standing room was left
IN the court room. A due regard for
the morals Of the community was shown
however. by the orders of the court
keeping out all females and Young men
ana boys a thrOng Of angry women
besieged the doors of the courtroom aII
day. but were refused admission. The
court oIncers remembered the famous
Church divorce case here years ago
IN which women brought their lunches
and spent the day in the courtroom,
Tomorrow Mr.. Bott is expected on
the stand. His testimony will he e,-sv,-
whit as raey as that of Lyons. though he
may not talk with the freedom that
characterized the Lyons testimony
Only once while on the stand dfd
Lyons try to defend his Queen" I'm
meOlauety pufSt OF applause sounded
in the rear of the room, and showed un-
rnistakably where the sympathies of the
crowd were But soon Lyons dropped
back to his old form, and Kisses We're
shoWered on him whenever the hissers
could evade the vigilance of Bert Spen-
GER the court bailiff-
Lyons was evidently i'll at ease. When
his name was called ne walked to the
clerks desk to be sworn, carrying his
overcoat on his arm. He is an unde-
niably handsome man of a blond cast
hair a trifie curly, and a luxuriant mus
aRche. He dresses well, though not in