Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-22
WIFE Gets THE
COVETED DECREE
JUDGE REFUSES TO GRANT
HUSBANDS PLEA
Testimony in the Herriek Divorce Case
Heard Behind Closed Doors-says
Woman Went Into Plunge
with Another Man

After her husband had filed suit for
divorce charging her with desertion
and after the case had almost been
granted him because of her refusal TO
appear in court, Mrs. I'll. c. Herrick Of
Pasadena yesterday changed her mind
at the last minute and trial of her
divorce suit was suspended long
enough for the woman and her two
children to reach Judge Conreys de-
partment of the superior court.
Within twenty minutes after the
woman's arrival so strong seemed to
be her evidence that she was allowed
not only a decree of divorce on the
ground of cruelty but also the custody
of her children.
The case during the latter half of
the trial was held behind closed doors
and even at that Mrs Herrick became
exceedingly nervous when asked about
her troubles.
A. c. Herrick, the husband is a
prosperous merchant in Pasadena In
1892 the couple were married at Berke-
icy, Mrs. Herrick at that time being
one of the most prominent members of
the younger social set.
Trouble in the family did not occur
until some time later Yesterday Her
rick took the stand and testified in
support of his allegations of desertion.
His wife was not present in court at
that time and he stated that on va
rious occasions she had left him and
had returned to San Francisco, staying
there several months at u time and
allowing him to keep bachelor quar-
ters.
Enters Cross-CompIaint
At one time, according to the allie
cations, Mrs. Herrick had filed suit
for divorce at San Francisco while
later Herrick filed similar suit here,
but both actions were withdrawn
In 1902, according to the husbands S
testimony yesterday, he became
angered because, as he alleged, his wife
attended the theater with a gentleman
friend.
At that juncture of the trial the
woman's attorney asked permission of
the court to enter evidence on Mrs.
HerricRs cross-complaint of desertion
Judge Conrey listened until all the
evidence had been taken and then he
demanded the Womans presence in
court to answer the allegations. Her
attorney asked fifteen minutes recess
and at the close of that period Mrs.
Herrick and her children arrived in
court.
She testified that her husband had
treated her cruelty; that on one occa-
sion he had locked her out of the
house and compelled her to remain out
aall night.
She further testified that Herrick had
become enraged at her during an argu-
nent and had struck her in the face
with his fist. The blow Jared one of
sher front teeth from her head and
caused extreme pain.
Woman Gets Decree
When asked relative to the accusa-
tions of Keeping company with other
men, Mrs. HerIick promptly answered
that such allegations were falsehoods.
She said that about three years ago,
in company with two women friends
and one man, she had gone to Bimini
baths to swim and that while she was
in the plunge her husband dashed into
the baths and commanded her to leave
the plunge Immediately and go home
with him.
Mrs. Herrick. said that his actions
on that occasion caused her much en-
barrasSment.
Herrick took the stand to answer
and stated that he had objected be-
cause he had told his wife not to go
swimming and that when he entered
the bath house he saw his wife sitting
on the edge of the pool retaining wall
while the man who had accompanied
her had his arm about her waist
Judge Conrey, however, refused to
listen to the desertion plea and the
divorce was granted to the woman