Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-22
BELL BLAMES
ATTORNEY FOR
Ills TROUBLES
ARRESTED NEAR RESIDENCE
OF 0. P. WIDAMAN
LAYS LOSS OF HOME AND FOR
TUNE ON LAWYER
Former Wealthy Traveller, Yachtsman
and Landed Proprietor Says He
Had to Borrow Socks from
Legal Representative

For the second time within four
months, Frank M. Bell, former travel
er yachtsman and landed proprietor
but who says he has been reduced in
circumstances to a point where he Is
compelled to borrow a pair of SOCKS
from his attorney, is in the county
Jail, charged this time with having in
his possession a deadly weapon with
intent to commit an assault on o. r.
Widaman, an attorney. Bell, who has
been in more or less trouble, financial
and domestic, almost continually for
more than two years, lays the respon-
sibility for his tribulations at Vida
mans door.
Bell was arrested by Chief Detective
Samuel l.. Browne of the district at
torney's office yesterday morning after
the officer had received telephone
message stating that man, whose
inquiries concerning Widaman's move
ments had aroused suspicion, was In
the vicinity of the cttorney's home at
Artesia. When the detective reached
Martha's Vineyard station, near Ar
tesla he saw Bell walking along the
track of the Pacific Electric, and later
he found a revolver dropped by Bell
in the grass at the side of the roadway.
Bell, when taken to Brownies otnce,
explained he had no intention to shoot
promise to tell the truth when he took
the witness stand In Justice Ling s
court Thursday in a case in which
Bell is charged with perjury.
Intended to Threaten
"I wanted to tell him if he got on the
stand in that case and told what was
not the truth, 1 would kill him the
first opportunity given me- said Bell.
The perjury charge against Bell
grows out of a meeting between Bell,
Widaman and A. r. Sanger, Bells
brother-in- law, in the Hollenbeck ho-
tel in April, when two shots were fired.
Bell, at that time, had Widaman and
Sanger arrested, charged with assault,
claiming Widaman had fired one shot,
the other, he says, being accidentally
discharged by himself. The COM
plants against the two men were dis
missed by Police Judge Chambers, and
Bell went to Mexico. He returned
June 25 last, and the following day
was arrested on a complaint sworn to
by Sanger, who accused him of perjury
I'm the hearing of the case in police
court. Bells preliminary examination
on this charge is set for tomorrow in
Justice Ling's court.
Following his arrest yesterday Bell
made a statement, in which he said
he had been driven to desperation by
Widaman, who, he claims, is actuated
by a desire to gain control of his prop
erty in Ell Paso, Tex.
Bell was at one time regarded as
wealthy. He spent money freely and
his entertainments at Catalina are
still remembered by many on account
of their lavishness. Yesterday he said
he was without a cent
Dependent on Attorney
at am dependent on the kindness of
my attorney, Mr.. Fleming, for what
eat and the place I sleep" he said. Il
am even wearing a pair of socks given
to me by him. While l. was In Mexico
my baby was taught to forget me ana
did not recognize me when l went into
Judge Hervey's court in June. Yester-
dav l begged my wife to let me take
the baby to the circus, telling her
other persons babies were going, and
I wanted to take mine. She refused
and hung UP the telephone receiver"
Speaking of his visit to Widaman
home, Bell said he went to Artesla
Monday night and made several IN
ouiries about the attorney to find out
where he would be likely to see him
away from his home.
at meant to tell him he knew every
thing that transpired at the Hollen-
heck and that he was responsible for
all nv troubles" said Bell Then
was going to make him promise to let
me alone. I was also going to tell
him if he got on the witness stand in
the the perjury case and told anything
but the truth I would kill him the
first opportunity I could find"
Widaman pooh poohed Bells story,
stating all he cared to say was that
Bell was prowling about his home with
a revolver and that he would en-
deayor to see that he was punished
Bell will be arraigned in Justice Ling's
court today.