Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-17
ONE WIFE
SWEARS TO
COMPLAINT
GEORGE S. BEST ARRESTED ON
CHARGE OF PIGAMY
ALLEGED TO HAVE ELoPEp WITH
MISS FLEMING
Actor Tells San Francisco Authorities
He Was Never Legally Married
to Woman Known as
First Wife

George S. Best, charged with bigamy,
was arrested in San Francisco yesterday
afternoon on a warrant sworn to by
Anita Thompson. who claims to be one
of his wives.
Best is the man who is alleged to have
eloped with Cecile Fleming, daughter OF
C. W. Fleming, manager of the Los An
geles branch of the American Type
Founders association, week ago, and
Mr.. Fleming was the one who caused
Anita Thompson to swear to the COM
plant.
Miss Fleming had ambitions to be an
actress and was given a place in a COM
pany Best was forming The young
woman was shown many attentions by
Best and the couple at last decided to
run away.
They went to Santa Ana, where they
were married by justice of the peace,
and then went to San Francisco, intend
ing to take a trip east.
When word of the elopemert reached
Mr.. Fleming, father of the girl, he Inn
mediately took up the chase and found
the couple in San Francisco
Denies First Marriage
In statement made by Best in San
francisco he claimed he was never legal
ly married to Anita Thompson, but ad-
mitted his relations with her were very
friendly. He said when they began living
together bogus marriage certificate was
drawn up in order to satisfy the misgiv-
ings of his mother.
The woman who swore to the COM
plant claimed to be Bests first wife
but 1t is understood the man was mar
ried to woman named Bertha Nillson
daughter of a prominent Minneapolis
man. eight years ago.
II believe my daughter was led into
her marriage with Best by underhand
methods and that she today believes her
self his legal wife. My husband or my
self Will never rest until we see the man
who wronged our daughter behind
prison bars"
This assertion was made by Mrs. G. W.
Fleming when seen at her home, 707 Va
lencia street, yesterday and questioned
about the elopement of her daughter
Cecile with George S. Best, comedian
Sure of Two Wives
st am confident Best has at least two
other wives. When he lived In Minneapo-
lis four years ago there was woman
there who passed under his name and
who he introduced as his wife.
''Then there is woman in Los Angeles
the one who has given us a great deal
of information about Best, who married
the man in Salt Lake City three years
ago.
my husband and myself believe Best
represented himself to Cecile as single
man. and despite the fact his wife here
frequently requested permission to attend
concerts at which my daughter was te
be present, Best always refused TO allow
her to do so and kept all information Of
my daughter from her.
''You may be sure we are not going tt
4. tsaS.. .wA1t tn 4 n
manner she has been without Furnishing
the one at fault and we will expent
every cent we have to bring Best to JUS
tice. His wife here has sworn to com
plant charging Best with bigamy.
Married at Santa Ana
.The couple were marrie,. in Santa Ana
October 5. We have proof of that, ard II
was in that city Mrs. Best swore to the
complaint As soon as we were sure OF
the marriage my husband left for the
north seeking trace of the couple
Mrs. Best the wife of the clipping
comedian was not at her home o42 maple
avenue. Yesterday afternoon, and II was
understood she had gone to Fleming
home to consult with the mother OF the
young woman.
BEFORE leaving her home she informed
friends that she would appear against
her husband if he was arrested and that
she would try to gain evidence of another
wlfe he had in the east and who he is
said to have deserted.
Miss Flemings large number OF friends
in Los Angeles were astonis-ied when they
learned of the young woman's elopement'
she has been prominent in social affairs
here for several years and was known as
a beautiful~and loving girl.
None of those who knew her believed
she would have fed with Best had she
known he was married, and all are posi-
! tive the man kept this fact from her.
Best is said by his wife to be very fond
of the company of women ana since tnelr
10 iaee three years ago they have fire.
nnentlv had trouble over this fact.