Los Angeles herald., 1905-08-12
oBEAR FAMILY AFFAIRS ARE
AIRED IN COURT
WIFE NO. l DEMANDS MONEY
Prays Court to Raise Allowance 5000
Monthly, Asserting That 500
Is insufficient to clothe
and Educate Children

month was the favor asked yesterday
by Mrs. Anna III. Obear, the divorced
wife Of ]. H. obear. prominent real
estate dealer of Los Angeles, and so
lengthy was her claim and so bitterly
did Obear contest 1t that the entire day
was taken up with statements as to
what the obear family eat for break
fast, dinner and supper, and how much
they pay for their clothes.
To hear the recitation Of the exact
amount paid for small articles Of ap-
parel about a score of women, promi-
nent in Los Angeles social circles, ar
rived early at the trial and stayed un-
til the session adjourned.
The troubles of the Obear family have
been aired in the courts several times.
About five years ago Mrs. obear Sc
cured a decree of divorce and the GUS
tody OF their two boys and little girl.
The charge against her husband was
slight, but she was allowed $100 a
month alimony for the support of her
children, and Obear made no objection.
Obear Remarrles
Shortly after the divorce was granted
Obear married Mrs. John Cross, and
Obear, according to the statements of
his first wife, has seen his first wife
and children about once year.
Two children were born of the second
marriage, and Obear says that his sec
ond band of youngsters is taking up
his time and spare cash. Mrs. Obear
number cne, however. says that her
children are approaching the age where
education and better clothing is neces-
sary, and that $100 a month for each
child is no more than they deserve.
When the factions engaged in legal
battle, according to their own state
ments, both were woefully beset. Job
and his multitude of troubles might
have considered himself fortunate had
he heard all their hard luck stories
Attorneys for Mrs. Obear number one
sent their client to the stand early in
the action. She told how the articles of
apparel and food had increased in price
in the last six years and how the
children were constantly wearing out
their clothes. Music lessons now formed
a part of their education and this re-
quired quite a large sum of money.
Also, the children were occasionally
i'll, which caused a heavy drain on the
$100 month alimony.
District Attorney Fredericks was
called to the stand to testify as to the
expense Of rearing children. Just why
the captain was selected for this deli
cate subject was not explained, but
the court sustained an objection.
Expert Testimony
"a matron Of South Grand avenue was
called to the witness stand and testified
that she had been housekeeping for the
past 20 years and had reared seven
children. The women in the audience
gasped at this declaration and the
court officials were also surprised, as
the witness appeared to be scarcely
more than 20 years of age.
"Since the Spanish-American war,
clothing and provisions have increased
one-third," said the witness, and a
number Of mothers among the spectat-
ors were seen to nod their heads vigor-
ously.
Attorneys for the plaintiff undertook
to prove that for boy thirteen years of
age one pair of pants a month was
about the right way to clothe the neither
extremities. The defense objected to
this evidence.
A. further attempt to show just what
Obear paid for his oysters, meat, gro
ceries, vegetables and clothing and
what Mrs. Obear number two paid for
her clothing, was made and objected to
by the defense.
Mrs. Obear number one took the
stand a scond time and told the court
her husband visited her home once in
the past year. when he took the child
rem for an automobile ride and gave
them fifty cents each to spend at
Chutes park. He was also credited
with giving his little girl dress and
each of the boys a suit of clothes since
his separation from Mrs. Obear num-
ber one.
'Did you invite your husband in the
house when he called with his auto?"
asked obear's attorney. mo-" answer
ed Mrs. obear number one, because
for the past six years, by his request,
/ have not spoken to him"
Obear then had few things to say
about his financial condition. He ac-
knowledged to earning in the neighbor-
hood of $500 month, but said he had
been Ill for the past year and contract
ed large doctors bill, which he still
owes. He also asserted that one of the
little girls belonging to Mrs. Obear
number two was suffering from ear
trouble which caused the attendance OF
an aurist.
A decision viii be rendered today by
Judge Bordwell, before whom the case
was tried.