The Washington times., 1906-11-28
Sharp Clash Between Op-
posing Counsel Before
She Is Allowed to
Testify.
ADMITS TAKING TRIP
WITH THE CLERGYMAN
Didn't Let Husband Know
When Her Youngest
Baby Was
Born.

4 few minutes before cou-z as3o=Yr-ses1
yesterday, in the Bassett divorce case.
sharp clash between counsel for
Bassett and for the Rev. +. Lawrence
Hunt Of Brooklyn correspondent iu
the Cale. was pTccipItated when Henry
K. Davis, representing the minister. OF
.ered 10 place In evidence the testimony
OF MTs. Fanny Rice Bassett, wife OF
the plaintiff. E-s=4sz5I r COIIa5ay.
counsel for Mr.. Bassett. objected on
the ground that Mrs. Bassett was not
competent 10 testify against her hus-
band Supreme Court rulings on the
question were vigorously quoted on
both sides and after d fIftcen-miGutC
argument Cn the matter. Justice Gould
ruled that the supreme Court decision
10 which both sides referred in support
OF their position. did not affect this par
ticuIar case and that Mrs. Bassett was
competent 10 testify.
The deposition. which was read by III.
Davis, was the first testimony taken Up
when the court convened at II o'clock
this morning. and keen interest was
manifested IN Mrs. Bassett's side Of the
case. The Brooklyn minister yesterday
gave his version of the AFFAIR, in a letter
which he wrote 10 Mrs Jennie +. Stone
the birth of the baby. This is the only
way in which ian expression has been
gained from Hunt. as his counsel has re-
fused to permit him 10 take Che stand
Mr. Bassett has not testified. so that III
her direct testimony, which was read
10 the court this morning, Mrs Bassett
figures as the only principal in the al
fair who is a witness. she appears ia
behalf Of Hunt, who is fighting the case
now on trial here.
In Eer testimony Mrs Bassett admits
the birth Of the child, Lawrence. and
that Hunt called oH her after her hus-
band left Washington in May, 1904.
Mrs. BaSsetu says she left Washing
ton permanently the last week in Oc-
tober, 150i that Hunt visited her in the
hospital IA Baltimore and several times
a week in the Morse house in that city.
where she lived Before and after the
birth of the baby.
Further on in her testimony, Mrs.
Bassett admits that on June 20. 1905. she
went with Hunt and the baby TO At
IantIc City
Referring 10 the time when Mr. Bas-
sett learned she was in Atlantic City
and came there with Former Congress
man Benjamin l.. Fairchld, Mrs. Bas-
sett testified that she made up her mind
then that never again would Mr.. BasseJt
have a chance 10 disgrace her or her
children before the world She admits
renting a postofice box in Washington
and having her mail addressed TO gen
eraI delivery Baltimore. and subsequent
" forwarded 10 Washington
Some interest attached 10 Mrs. Bas-
sett's explanation Of her absence from
the home OF her cousin, Mrs. Mary
ORourke.
One of the most important details in
the case is the actions of Mrs. Bassett
on May 70, 1904 the day after her nus
band left Washington on duty for the
Geological Survey. A servant In the
Bassett family, Hattie Thompson, testi~
fed early in the trial that on that day
Mrs. Rassett will i'll in bed with "A head
ache. and that Hunt called between
and O'Clock in the afternoon, went into
Mrs Basetts bedroom and remained
several hours. The maid said she
thought the minister left about o'clock
in the afternoon. This is the date Afr-
Bassett names as the first and specific
date on which Mrs. Bassett and Huns
were together.
To. combat this statement counsel for
the minister has found witness who
saw Mrs. Bassett that afternoon At a
garden party in aid OF the Washington
Hospital for Foundlings. although her
statement was somewhat modified. The
entertainment was from 4 10 Z o'clock
in the AFTERNOON, and Mrs. Lucy B. Platt,
the witness in question, testified that
Mrs. Bassett was late
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