The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-19
Judge Grinnan to Probe
Tenney Divorce Suit
Scandal,
TYLER AFFIDAVIT
is SENSATIONAL
Attorney for Bitulithic President
Accused of Threatening and
Making Promises to Witness
in Effort to Secure Fraud
ulent Statement Incriin-
mating Mrs. Tenney.

Sensational charges were made by
Attorney William l.. Royal aganss
Attorney Louis o. Wendenburg IN the
chancery Court yesterday morning, ~
the course OF a preliminary hear,hs
out of the Tenney divorce
suit. Mr.. Royall charges IN erect
that Mr.. WendcnburS, as counsel Tor
George o. Tenncy, president of the
Atlantic Bitulithic Company, had at
TO secure by threats ard prom.
ises of reward from John Goodenougp
TYLER. of baltimore. fraudulent aiii
davit to be used as evidence In divorce
proceedings against Mrs. Emma
Tenney. Tyler who at one time had
been paying attention TO Mrs. TennevS
daughter, Indignantly refused. declar-
ing. according TO Mr.. Royal. that his
relations with Mrs. Tenney ana mgr
daughter had been entirely proper
Judge Grinnan at once realized the
seriousness of the situation. and In
structed Mr. Royal to present his
charges In writing by Friday morning.
Indicating that after that time Mr..
Wendenburs would be given time To
prepare an answer. The mat ter pro-
duced a distinct sensation in court.
attorneys and court officials expressing
the opinion that grave situation had
been precipitated. and that II the al
Legations are sustained x may lead
not only to disbarment. but also to
criminal proceedings. while II they
fail of proof Mr. Wendenburg can seek
redress in the court.
Mrs. Tenney Denies sanrEes.
At the same time Mr Royail fled
for Mrs Tenney her answer TO the cross
bill fled some months ago by her
husband It is a sweeping derial OF
the various allegations, end as sweep
ingly charges her husband with un-
faithfulness in certain specific tn-
stances, and also charges him with re-
peated attempts to manufacture eyi-
dence tor be used against her.
I The ttfrn taken b. the case WIS
! somewhat = surprise to all present iti
| had been expected that the argument
would only relate to the distribution
I of counsel fees and other unimportant
| details of the proceedings. Mrs. Tenney
| was In court with her daughter. Mrs.
| Aleda Tenney Bunch.
| Mr.. Royall. who has succeeded 10 Lane
Stern and A. W. Patterson as counsel
for Mrs Tenney, sprung the first
sensation in an address to the court
asking a special order TO protect Mrs.
Tenney from the Vaccinations of her
husband and his attorney. Louis q
Wendenburg. He was most bitter IN
his charactc i2ation of what he
termed 'villainous and infamous as
suit" Mrs. Tenney and her daughter
We're in tears The court officials We're
startled by the sud.enness of the
charges and the vehemence OF Mr.,
Royal. especially in his attack on Mr..
Wendenburg. From appearances. Afr.
WendenburG was the calnlest man in
the room In concluding his charge.
Mr. Royall reat from the sworn afii-
davit Of Mr.. Tyler, which is made a
part of Mrs. Tenney's answer. Mr..
Wendcnburg's only statement in reply
was that Tyler's statements We're part
~ true and largely false. and that he
would be able to so show in good time.
II deny that / have done anything
discreditahle or unprofessional un-
ethical or unworthy OF a LAWYER In
looking after the interests of my
client" he said. The allegations are
misleading, unfair, unjust and absurd
Judge Grinnan then instructed Mr..
Rovall to put his charges in writing by
Friday morning.
1'y1er's Amdnyit.
The Tyler affidavit. made part of
Mrs. Tenrey's answer, which was filed
in court, states that some time ago
MIR. Pannill. of Norfolk. described as
Mr. Tenney's right-hand man In bust
ness went to Baltimore to see TYLER
and Informed him there that his name
u
ent.
"FTe told me" swears TYLER. "that ir
would make an affidavit incriminat-
/! ing Mrs. Tenney I could avoid being
dragged into the case, as 1t would be
sufficient evidence against Mrs Ten
ney to secure Mr.. Tenney a divorce
II told .Ir. Pannill THAT IL was pre-
posterous to ask me TO do this. as I
had only seen Mrs Tennev when
was calling on Miss Tenney. her
daughter, and II was outrageous to
suppose that would try to make any
oYertures TO the mother which would
reflect on the honor of Miss Tenney'
Mr.. Tyler swears that he was pressed
further by Offers of rewards--tilat he
Was told that he would he looked out
for by Mr., Tenneyn; that, Mr.. Tenney
ALWAYS looked ont for his friends.
but that he resisted all such offers
and now swears that Mrs Tenney's
conduct was at all times '.ahnve the
slightest suspicion 0f wrnner''
Later, he says in his aitidavit Mr..
Wendenburs came 10 see him IN Bal-
ttimore and renewed the offers made
by Pannill, Wendenhurg said, accord
ing to the affidavit: we knew you left
the Tenney home AT rather late hours"
7 to which Tyler replied that It was not
Halter than proprlety permitted Wen
/! denburg pressed the matter. according
Ito Tyler's statement, saving; III ycn
We're not there 10 see Mrs, Tenney, II
must have been to, see Miss Tenney
Iso vow can take Your choiee between
| protecting the mother or discriminating
1.-the daughter, suggest~that you come
Ion to Richmond and place tho aitarna-
/ tive before Mrs. Tenney The affidavit
| goes on TO relate that after further
conversation Tyler consented to come
4 to Richmond aud lay the natter bcfofa
! Mrs Tenncy Wendenburg etfering SIS
to pay his expenses Tyler asked the
tlawyer ii he wanted . reeetpt and
Wendepburg answer mo- s
4 Tainted on Hearing of it.
\ According to the paper, Tyler cams
Ito Richmond the following day and
i ,,,han 40 III ,yirh stlme einb.iyF4 a AZ me rf.