Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-08
BRILLIANT LAWYER
IN SORRY PLIGHT
STEPHEN J. SULLIVAN LODGED
IN JAIL
Attributes His Downfall to Over
indulgence in Liquor-8rother
Attorneys Will Help
Him

With home broken up, following an
excessive and long-Continued use of IN
toXicants, Stephen J. Sullivan, one OF
the brightest members of the Los An
geles bar, lies in the county jail, await
ing examination on a charge OF forg-
cry.
In the home of a friend of the fam
lily the attorneys wife, with her three
children, a boy and two girls, whose
ages range from 4 to 8 years, found
refuge last night and will remain there
until this morning, when they will IN
all likelihood be placed in an institu-
ton where the children can receive
proper care and still be under the di-
rect influence and teaching of their
mother.
Sullivan was arrested at a late hour
Thursday night as he stepped from a
beach car at the Pacific Electric sta
ton, and Immediately taken to the
police station and thence transferred
to the county jail. The attorney pre-
sented a pitiable and repentant ap-
pearance as he stood before Justice
Selph yesterday. In the complaint he
is charged with forging a check for 81
on the Metropolitan Bank and Trust
company. The check purports to be
signed by A. c. Dunn, and was cashed
by Dyke & Black, a restaurant firm OF
Playa del Rey, on July 20.
1t was stated yesterday that several
other fictitious checks had been issued
by Sullivan, and that these would be
Forthcoming during the trial of his
case. His examination was set for
August 10 at 2 o'clock, and bond was
fixed at $500, which, up to the present,
he has been unable to furnish.
Early in the afternoon Sullivan, in
charge of a deputy sheriff and accom-
panied by his wife and children, ap-
IN, l.
plant of Humane Officer REYNOLDS
who said conditions at the Sullivan
home in Colegrove were deplorable.
Il called at the attorneys home, fol-
lowing complaints made by neighbors,
three months ago" said the humane
officer, land L found conditions very
bad. [ ordered all doors and windows
opened and the place given a thorough
ventilation. When l called about a
week later things had changed for the
better but it was only short time
when further complaints again came
in, and finding some of the stories TO
be true and in view of the arrest of the
husband and father, brought the emil
dren and their mother into court.
Sullivan stated yesterday he felt op--
timistic as to the result of his trlal
and family troubles. THE whole trou-
BILE arises because of the interference
of neighbors," said the attorney. Ihey
have for a long time, and without APP
parent reason, taken every opportunity
to make complaints concerning myself
and family. l admit that much OF my
trouble has been caused by drink, bu'
YOU will go far before finding a health
! ier or happier family"
Sullivan refused to discuss the chars'
of forgery. Friends of the unfortunate
man, however, among whom were seV
eral attorneys, say they have taken ul
his case and will do all that is possible
to bring matters to d speedy ana happ1
termination.
Judge Wilbur allowed the mother anc
three children to go to the home or q
| friend last night, and today the chll'
dren will be sent to the Ransom nome
where the mother will also live. There
they will remain until wealthy rela-
tives in Contra Costa county are hearo
from, when further disposition OF the
case will be made. The children nave
NOT been declared dependents and 1t Is
probable.no such order will be made py
the court. e..
Sullivan came to Los Angeles IRON
San Francisco, where he lost all MS
worldly possessions in the earthquake
After a few weeks in this city ne re-
moved to ColegroVe, purchasing a NIUE
home on Nordica avenue. He has peer
identified with number of inportan'
cases before the superior court ana Is
looked upon as man OF prlliiai'
mind