The San Francisco call., 1909-11-17
NEWS OF THE FOUR COUNTIES BORDERING ON SAN FRANCISCO BAY
CHfYNFY DIVORCE
SUIT IN OAKLAND
Action of PIumas County Pest
mistress Against Mine Owner
Transferred for Trial

OAKLAND, Nov. 16.-Mrs. Maude
Cheyney. postmistress at Mohawk,
PIumas county. win tell her extraof-
binary tale of girlish romances. two
marriages, drugging, personal VioiehSS'
conspiracy. betrayal by an attorney
and desertion. involving as 1t does
alleged community property valued at
$1,000 for which she demands an
accounting, in the Alameda county
court. Her action TO terminate ner
alleged Quaker marriage to Samuei w
Cheyney, we'll to do mine owner oS
August 1 of this year in Plumas county,
was transferred here today on motion
of the defendant.
Filing fees on the bulky complaint
gainst which Cheyney leveled broad
sides of motions to strike out. We're
paid today by Attorney Austin Lewis
who represents her.
Charges made by Mrs. Cheyney
against Cheyney read like the pages
of novel. Married when IA years OF
ge. as she said, to Samuel Johnss sent
to bed by her parents when she tolu
them of her prank. and with her nus
band sent about his business with IN
structions to return if he cared Wneh
she was is years of age to claim her,
Mrs. Cheyney's troubles as narrated
had only commenced.
HER SECOND ROMANCE
For then Cheyney. employed BY
her father, who was superintendent OF
the Jamison gold mine. protested his
love and besought her to have her
marriage with Johns annu1led. lie
promised. she said. to send her TO high
school and college. Eager for the ad-
vantages of an education. she lent her
ear to his proposals. Before her tie
with Johns had been broken. she said.
he gave her drugged candy and when
she fell senseless from it's effects
he attacked her in a lonely spot on a
mountain road, when she was Is years
of age.
Later the marriage with Johns was
terminated in court, and then she
stated that Cheyney told her that his
parents had been Quakers for genera
tions and that they had taught him to
abhor the regulation marriage eere-
mony. A Quaker marriage. where they
knelt in silent prayer and took silent
vows followed. as she claimed, in Aug
ust, 1895.
Removed to San Francisco she said
that they entered into a written agree
ment of marriage for her protection,
after she had left him for a time and
had returned. To gain possession OF
the agreement she alleges that he gave
her drugged wine and took the agree
ment when she lay senseless. AT that
time she said Dr. George E. Bushnell
was called to revive her.
CAREER DEVELOPS
The next development IN her tenn
pestuOus career came. as she charges,
when Cheyney entered into a conspir-
acy with Bessie Lee Wall and pretend
ed a marriage. The legality of this is
strongly attacked in her complaint.
pages of which are filed with asSer-
tions that the silent ceremony was
binding and had never been terminated.
In order to get into position 10
meet Cheyney on equal terms the
woman asks for $3.50 month tenn
porary alimony. $4,000 for expenses and
$4,000 as counsel fees. She also says
that by prudent management and min
ing investments 100000 in community
property has been accumulated, and
that she advanced Cheyney $4,000 of
her own money.
So far as the suit has progressed
Cheyney has met her with resistance.
Attorney Charles s. Wheeler was en-
pIoyed by him and an attack made on
the structure of the complaint before
the fling of answers or denials-
Cheyney made an affidavit to the
effect that he had married Tessie Lee
Wall at San Francisco February Is.
1902, and that they had lived together
as husband and wife since that time.
having four children. He also stated
that his permanent address was 1905
Tenth avenue. East Oakland. and petit
toned to have the suit transferred for
trial there.