The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-12-11
ERRATIC WOMAN
PUZZLES COURT
Lady arde-Buller Makes
Some Rather AstOniSh-
ing Answers.

Remember, Ralph, you are the son OF
a British officer. Tell the truth"
Thus spoke Lady Yarde-Buller to her
son yesterday in Judge Hebbard's court.
The young man was on the witness
stand, telling what he knew about A. A.
Baroteau, who is suing the titled woman
for $1,000 alleged to be due him for serv-
ices he rendered.
Baroteau holds a note for the amount
signed by Lady Yarde- Butler. She is per-
fectly willing to pay it, but her guardian,
George T. Wright, is not so willing
hence the suit.
The once talented woman, whose beauty
years ago was talked OF from Maine TO
California and even across the Atlantic,
appeared in Judge Hebbards court yes
terday morning attired in black She is
still a handsome woman, out time and
the remarkable career she has lived have
left their marks. She evidently is not of
sound mind, judging from her actions and
speech, but she is a remarkable woman
still.
Several times during the course of the
trial she interrupted the proceedings by
talking to the Judge, the lawyers and the
witnesses and appeared to be on the
verge of Mysteries.
When she was called as a witness she
walked up the steps leading to the wit
ness stand, solemnly took the oath and
gave her name as Marie Leila Delilah
Kirkham Yarde-Buller."
Admits Services Were Rendered.
Are you the defendant in this case %
she was asked.
81 don't know" she replied. 81 dom
know what l am here for.N
Has Mr.. Baroteau ever rendered you
any service?" was the next question.
The witness replied that he had and
that the services were many and varied.
"Oh, you ask me too much" said
Mrs. Yarde-Buller. When I think of
what that man has done for me 1 would
not be in his place for millions"
do you approve of his claim?"
81 do; indeed 1 do. Oh, why are not
my famous lawyers and guardians here
Seeing that the lady was getting ex-
cited the lawyers ceased questioning her.
When they told her that that was ALL
she arose and addressing the Judge said:
"Oh, sir, where are my Portland bonds
Where is my stock in the Bank of Cali
fornia? What is to become of a poor
woman when she is defended by so many
gentlemenT
When Baroteau was testifying she in
terrupted him frequently. He finally man
aged to tell his story, which was to the
effect that he had acted as the LADY,
where with her, he said. ST was" said
Barotean, ''at her beck and call at all
times. ] escorted her to the theater,
park, cemetery and many other places"
The defendant interrupted him at this
point by saying:
Sons Object to the Claim.
They've been robbing my estate for
years. They'd have me starve to death
in the gutter so that they could get 1t ali
for themselves. Now they won't pay this
poor man who has done so much for me. -
Ralph K Blair and Arthur K Blair
sons of Yarde-Buller, were also witnesses
in the case. They told of Barotean's at
tentions to their mother, and said they did
everything in their power to keep him
away from her. Ralph, the elder said he
even went so far as to threaten to thrash
Baroteau if he did not quit hanging
around the lady.
At this point the cause of all the trou-
BILE rose majestically to her feet and ad.
dressing the young man said
Remember, Ralph, you are the son OF
a British officer. Tell the truth"
She informed Judge Hebbard that she
was British subject, that English laws
would not allow her to be treated in such
manner, and closed her speech by re-
marking scornfully:
II don't understand your courts"
Judge Hebbard did not decide the ca Sc
yesterday, though he intimated that he
would give decision in favor of Baro-
teau for portion If not the entire sum.
He also intimated that he did not like the
idea of man taking a note from q WON
an in Lady Yarde-Buller's condition.