Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-18
SAYS HE CAUSED TROUBLE
Former Representative Figures in
Divorce Testimony.
HER HUSBANDS BEST FRIEND
Rev. Mr.. Hunt Resigns From His
Church-Washington Decree Ig-
nored by Judge Reddick.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The star.
OMAHA. Neb., February 1s-Pointing to
former Representative Ben Fairchild, who
suddenly confronted her on the opening of
court this morning. Mrs. Fannie Rice Bas-
sett dramatically exclaimed: There is the
man who destroyed our homer
Overcome by emotion. she sank into her
chair The hearing was discontinued until
Mrs. Bassett recovered her composure. The
effects of her collapse Friday evening were
still visible. 1t was difficult for her to
elbow her way through the great crowd in
attendance. but moment after she took the
stand Fairchilds sudden appearance COM
pletely unnerred her. When the cross
examination was resumed Mrs. Bassett was
asked concerning her acquaintance with
the former congressman, the close friend Of
her husband
She says he came into her life the day
OF her marriage. The next day at the
buckingham Hotel, New York, on her we'd
cling tour she heard startling announce
Inent. Bassett brought Fairchild into their
apartments. Fairchild made a coarse re-
mark. to which the young wife took excep-
tion. Fairchild laughed and Bassett said:
"Oh. that's all right. Ben and are such
close friends We really need but one wife"
The Washington Decision.
At this point the proceedings were inter-
rupted by Bassetts attorney pressing the
court for decision on the recent Washing
ton divorce decree. Judge Reddick made a
tentative decision. He ruled that the case
most go on; that the evidence Of the pres
ent hearing alone would show the justice of
the eastern divorce. According to the
court g ruling fho
no legal status in Nebraska
Following the ruling the searching uues-
tioning was resumed by her husbands
counsel. They at once undertook to prove
that Mrs. Bassett. contrary to her decIara-
tion, had been most friendly with Fair
child They brought into evidence many
letters Mrs. Bassett had written the former
representative. They invariably began,
Dear Ben. and ended, With love-" Fan
One letter implored FairchiId, who was
then In Congress. to work among his COL
leagues and secure. if possible the place
OF chaplain of the House for the Rev. E.
Lawrence Hunt She, speaking of Hunt
said: He is one of the most gifted men I
nave ever met. Charlie and 1 both think
him perfect"
Another letter asked Fairchld to lend
the Bassetts 81, as their children had the
measles, and the rent was overdue All
the letters. Mrs. Bassett said, were written
under compulsion, with her husband stand
ing right over her in threatening attitude
MI. Hunt Resigns.
NEW YORK. February 1S-A letter from
the Rev. E. Lawrence Hunt. who was
named as correspondent in the divorce pro-
ceedings instituted in Washington by Chas
C. Rassett against his WIFE Fannie Rice
Bassett. was. read last evening from the
pulpit of the Noble Street PRESBYTERIAN
Church. of which DR.. Hunt was the pastor.
The pastor asked that his connection with
the church be severed. He wrote from
Omaha, where he is at present advising
Mrs. Bassett in a counter suit which she is
bringing AGAINST her husband. On last
Thursday Justice Gould of the Supreme
Court in Washington rendered a decision
granting Bassett a divorce from his wife
The letter from Mr.. Hunt was addressed
to Donald A. Manson, clerk of the sessions
1t read:
"A telegram has just reached Omaha
which stated that the decision in Washing
ton was against me. 1 was greatly sur
rrised. l write you requesting that you ask
the sessions at their next meeting to termi-
nate the relation between myself and the
church. You may assure them all that
am entirely innocent of the charges brought
against me. and desire to thank the mem
bers of the congregation for the implicit
faith they have had in me during my trials
and fluctuations. but under the circum-
stances with much regret ask that an
other be given my charge.
Will Return to Brooklyn.
The man who has baptized their children
and buried their dead is the man they
thought he was. l know the mind and
heart of the people will permit my mother
to remain In the parsonage while it Is I'M
used. l will return in time to have the
presbytery take due action in this matter.
Give my love and devotion to the people
and my deepest regret Is that our relations
must be Immediately and officially severed"
The letter was not given to the congrega-
ton until after the evening service, but 1t
was read to the members of the sessions
after the morning service. A meeting Of the
sessions was called and DR.. Hunts resigna-
ton was accepted
Mr.. Manson. clerk of the sessions, in COM
menting on the letter last evening. said:
I'VE have yet to hear one unkind word
or censure from a member of the congre-
CATION concerning DR.. Hunt. vote of con-
fiQence was passed by the sessions express
ing a hope that DR.. Hunt would be vndi-
Gated frorr the cruel charges, all of cir
cumstantial nature"
Judge Reddick's Ruling.
Justice Gould, who signed the decree in
the Bassett case. declined today to discuss
the rumor that Judge Reddick of Omaha
had Professionally ruled that the District
Supreme Court was without jurisdiction to
grant a divorce. Attorneys familiar with
the case declare. however, that there could
be no question Of the courts Jurisdiction
over Bassett, who has resided here all his
life. and the consequent right Of this court
to grant him a divorce.
Question. they say. might arise as to what
faith and credit Is to be given the decree
of divorce in another jurisdiction, service
on Mrs. Bassett having been secured by
publication, IN the light of the recent
United States Supreme Court decision in
regard to such service.
One Killed; Two Hurt.