Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-01
HELD TO TESTIFY
AGAINST SPOUSE
MRS. IDA DENSM0RE LODGED
IN CITY JAIL CELL
HAD CHARGED HUSBAND WITH
COMMITTING A FELONY
Search for Jewels at Mission Road
Dwelling Ended in Resigna-
ton of Policeman
Berchtold

Believing that Mrs. Ida Densmore,
complaining witness against her hus-
band, Morris H. Densmore, who Will
be taken into police court tomorrow
on felony charge, intended to keep
her word and leave Los Angeles to eS-
cape testifying against Densmore, Dep
uty District Attorney Neitch had the
woman taken into Police Judge Cham
bers' court yesterday and, after the
matter was explained, she was held
in Jail as a witness in bonds of $500.
Mrs. Densmore swore to complaint
against her husa and a short time ago
charging him with keeping her in a
dlsorderly house. When the complaint
was issued she told the prosecutors
she would testify against the man VINO
had made her lead a life of shame ard
would do her utmost to send him to
states prison.
Yesterday Mrs. Densmore told Dep
utv District Attorney Neitch, who is
sued the complaint against Densmore,
that she wanted to have the charges
dismissed When she was told TINS
could not be done she announced she
would not testify against him and II
necessary would leave the city before
the preliminary examination, which is
set for hearing today
EXPLAINS to Judge
The woman was taken into police
court and the matter explained to
Judge Chambers. Attorney Neltch
stated the woman probably would
leave the city and that she said she
would not testify against her husband
Detective Ben McCann told the Judge
that Mrs Densmore is living with hef
mother, Mrs. NJ. F. King, at E33 south
Sichel street, and that the mother OF
ix-ac there After sat
isfvino himself the witness made the
statements accredited her Judge Cham
hers ordered she be held as witness
under bond.
THE complaint against Densmore was
sworn to the same day that Mrs. DeiS-
more obtained a search warrant 10
search the home of Lottle GerklIs' aC
1342 Mission road, whom Mrs Dehs-
more accused of having stolen some
iewelry while acting as nurse at the
Densmore home.
The nolice records show that former
Chief Dishman detailed Captain Dixon,
now acting chief of police, to make an
investigations Dixon went to the
house and returned with the statement
that everything was all right, and the
iawe1rv was not there. This did not
satisfy Dishman and he turned
search warrant over to the detective
h11reau and Detective james Ilo0lOfN
was ordered to search the place.
Berchtold Discovered
Hosick went to the house in Mission
road and experienced considerable dlI-
ficulty in obtaining admission. he
finally got inside and found two Won-
on Tottie Gerkins and Myrtle Booth
present. The women denied having
nossession of the jewelry belonging TO
Mrs Densmore Hosick began search
of the house and on opening the door
Of a small closet found Patrolman A
G. Berchtold, captain of Dixon's 'pur-
itv SQUAD partly clothed, crouchlng
down in some soiled linen. Berchtolo
begged Hosick to say nothing ABOUT
the matter, but Hosick refused and
after further investigation learned that
Rerchtold had been living with tne
Rooth woman for some time. The de-
tectiye also recovered the missing Je"-
eirv and returned it to Mrs. Densmore.
ReTchtold rendered his resignation tol-
lowing the exposure.
The police say they believe frlends
of Densmore and Berchtold are at
tempting to persuade Mrs. Densmore
not to prosecute her husband, ana her
desire to have the complaint dismissed
is the result of their efforts.