Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-02
CLAIM EVIDENCE
MANUFACTURED
LETTER IN DIVORCE SUIT IS
NOT GENUINE
HUSBAND DECLARES HE WROTE
COMMUNICATION
Alleged Bogus Epistle May Lead to
Dlsbarment Proceedings Against
Lawyer-Five DEGREES Grant
ed-Ten Suits Filed

Testimony in q divorce suit, yester-
day. leading to the belief that evidence
had been manufactured for the pur-
pose of procuring a decree of legal
separation, may result in the bringing
of disbarment or criminal proceedings
against Charles B. Ladd, an attorney
of Los Angeles now in the east.
The matter has been referred by
Judge James of the superior court TO
District Attorney Fredericks to take
what steps he may deem proper
The divorce case is that of Stella M.
Burkhart against Fred K. Burkhart,
the hearing Of which was continued
several weeks ago until yesterday.
Mrs. Burkhart sued on the grounds OF
cruelty, and in addition to her testl-
mony several weeks ago. handed a
letter to Judge James yesterday which,
she said. she had found in her hus-
bands pocket. The letter, signed by
Burkhart, was addressed to another
woman, with whom he arranged a
meeting at a rooming house at HS
North Main street.
When Burkhart took the stand he
testified he had written the letter at
the dictation of Attorney Ladd, who,
he said, stated that Mrs. Burkhart 5
testimony was insufficient to obtain a
decree.
after writing the letter I gave 1t to
I,add. but what he did with 1t l don
know" said Burkhart. 81 wrote 1t at
his dictation and believed 1 was doing
right, as 1 was following the advice
of my attorney. 1 do not know the
woman whose name is mentioned In
the letter"
Letters Contents Are Revealed
The facts in regard to the letter were
learned for the first time yesterday by
Attorneys Adcock and French, who
were retained by Burkhart after Ladd
left the city, six weeks ago. They i'm
mediately explained the matter 70
Judge James, and Mrs. Burkharts at
torney, c. Randall Sparks, who told
the court he had presented the letter
in the belief it was genuine.
The court exonerated attorneys on
both sides, but ordered the stenog-
rapher to transcribe the testimony in
the case and furnish it to the district
attorney for investigation and any
action he may see fit to take, especial
ly affecting Ladd.
Further hearing Of the case was
continued to August 8.
The following divorce DEGREES were
granted Mrs. A. M. Jensen from /.
Jensen, Mary Yost from James G..
Yost, Gretta V. Hullette from George
10. Hullette, =. T.. WTlL6HOuSe llOllA
Mary E. Whitehouse and Emma G.
Hardwick from Thomas ]. Hard
wick.
Ten suits were filed, among them be-
ing two in which the same parties are
involved, Albert Meissanberg and his
wife, Marie Meissanberg. Attorneys
representing either side raced to the
court house in an effort to secure the
first place on the fling book, Meissan-
bergs counsel, Fred Thompson, win
ming by about five minutes Mrs
Meissanbergs attorney arrived at the
county clerks office before the INK
showing the record of the husband S
suit was dry on the register.
other suits filed were Margaret Gil
against George N. Gill. C. A. Tanquary
against Marie G.. Tanquary, Sarah G..
long against Robert H. Long, Nellie
G. Clark against Armstead M. Clark,
olive Isola Macdonald against Allan
Macdonald and Jeanette Nelson
against A. ]. Nelson, w. r. Shoaff
aaginst Nellie Shoaff and Rose Box
against Joseph J. Box.
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