Omaha daily bee., 1906-11-21
BASSETT TRIAL IN The EAST
Man outwits bis Wife in Having Case
Set for Washington,
WOMAN sLAMES CONGRESSMAN FMRC Hill
Says Were q Not for New York
Representative she and Her
Husband Would stiIl
he nt Peace.

From present indications Charles {. Bas-
sett has succeeded in his effort TO secure
the hearing Of his suit for divorce from
Mrs. Fannie Rice Bassett IN Washington
before Mrs. Bassett's suit IN Omaha can be
heard. Mr.. Bassett's case is set in Wash
ington for hearing some time this week,
while the Douglas county case has not been
completed. Mr.. Bassett is still taking depo-
sitions in his defense.
The case here was to have come up sew
eral days ago and Judge Irving +. Baxter,
representing Mrs. Bassett, was ready for
trial. but Mr.. Bassetts attorney filed an
AFFIDAVIT to the effect MT. Bassett was I'll
and would be unable 20 attend the hearing
here for three or four weeks. The case
was allowed to go over and II probably will
not be heard until next month.
Mrs. Bassett's friends hero denounce ex-
Congressman 3. L. Fairchild Of New York
as the instigator Of her husbands attacks
upon her and assert that II Il had not been
for Mr.. Fsirchfd Mr.. Bsssett would have
allowed Mrs, Bassott to get divorce by
default here. Judge Baxter, Mrs. Bassett's
attorney, declared Mr.. Fairchild has
grudge against Mrs. Bassett growing out
Of an incident that happened Just after the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bassett. on &C
count Of this grudge 1t is claimed he has
taken a vindictive interest in this case in
order 20 get even with Mrs. Bassett.
Woman Accuses ConEressman.
Mrs. Bassett asserts that during her
honeymoon Fairchild, who was a close
friend Of her husband and was at their
home frequently, grossly insulted her and
repeated the offense later. She remon-
strated with him for his action and re-
fused to have anything 10 do with him
afterward. She told him in very sharp Ian
Fuage what she thought of him. Her hus-
band. It is asserted, tried TO smooth over
the incident, because he was seeking pro-
motion in the public service, and Fairchild
was an influential man. Since then, how
ever, 1t is said, Fairchild has frequently
shown his hatred for her and on one occa-
sion assisted Mr.. Bassett in the alleged at
tempt to kidnap one Of the children from
her at Atlantic City. In one OF the deposit
lions by Mrs Bassett she declares Fair
child has offered all HIS wealth in order
to prevent her from keeping her children.
He has acted as a representative OF Mr..
Bassett in attempts which were made be-
fore the filing of the divorce suits to settle
the differences out of court II was through
him a proposition was made to Mrs. Bas-
sett to the effect MIR. Bassett would not
fight her divorce suit II she would consent
to have the four older children placed in
the custody of some person 10 be agreed
upon This Mrs. Bassett refused to con-
sent to and It is said no other attempt
has been made since TO settle the case.
Judge Baxter will not attend the trial in
Washington Mrs. Bassett being repre-
scented by attorneys there. Under the rules
of the court there the case will be heard on
evidence which has been reduced to writing
4.
time for the taking OF evidence. Here nc
such limit has been fixed and this made II
possible to have the case come up there
first