El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-01-23
BELL HAPPY UNTIL
He MET WIDAMAN
Evidence Shows That Man
He Killed Wrecked His
Married Life.

Los Angeles, Cal, Jan 23.-AISenists
are still occupying the time OF the
court in the trial OF Frank Bell. OF FL
Paso. for killing attorney 0. P. Vida
man, at Artesia. this county, last July.
Proving Insanity,
Additional testimony relating to
Bells movements, supporting the con-
tsntion that he was insane when he
shot and killed Widaman, was present
ed TO the jury today
According TO agreements made to-
day by deputy district attorney Asa
Keyes and attorney II. H Appel. repre-
senting Bell the remaining days OF
the week viii be taken up for the pre-
sentation Of just such testimony and
the examination and findings OF ex-
perienced professional alienists who
have examined Bell as to his mental
condition.
Mrs. Bell To BE Hezrd.
From all indications. the time for ths
presentation OF the testimony OF Mrs.
Agnes Bell. wife OF the defendant. is
nearing She is expected TO be an. al.
verse witness, but, despite this fact.
Appel hopes to draw from her state
ments that viii so benefit his case that
the insanity Of Bell will be proved be-
yond any reasonable doubt.
Bells Married Life.
Three witnesses who knew Bell and
his wife well before the prisoner and
Widaman became enemies, testified
that Bell had been affectionate AID de-
voted to his wife and child and that
the peace OF the family was marred
only when W1daman became the per-
sonal adviser Of Arthur Sanger and
his sister, who Is Bells wife.
For a short time only the attorneys
allowed the jury to see the better side
Of Bells domestic life. They then turn
ed to the other side and continued TO
draw in lines and figures to prove
prosecuted. The contrast was cleverly
presented and served to accentuate the
PRISONERS alleged wrongs
Attorney Paul B. Dougherty was the
first witness who told Of Bells homs
life before he had trouble with Vida
man. Dougherty said he met Bell and
Mrs Bell and their child at Catalina
Island on several yachting cruises and
found them devoted to each other and
apparently happy and contented.
John Calvert Foy, who was also call
ed by the defense, corroborated
Dougherty. He stated that he had
known Bell for years and upon a num-
Der OF occasions had visited the fam
lily on Bells yacht, the Aloha, find
ing the prisoner devoted to his child
and wife.
told Of Bells happy family life prior
to 1908. as noted by him in several
cruises with Mr.. and Mrs Bell
Throughout, Mrs. Bell sat IN court
She finally left, crying.
Recalls ROteI Shooting
After Capt Smith had been cross
examined, attorney Appel drew
blood stained shirt from the exhibit
box. and a moment later detective
Louis Rico was called TO the witness
stand land the exposure OF the alleged
persecution Of Bell was on The shirt
was part Of the evidence concerning
the mysterious shooting at the Hollen-
beck hotel in 1908 At that time Bell
claimed that his b-otherinIaw and
Widaman tried to force him to sign a
paper and when he heSitated In the
writing Of 1t he was shot at
The letter which he claimed they
tried TO force him to subscribe to was
introduced. Tt read as follows, the end
Ing being a long. irregular mark. IN
dicating the time that the shot was
fired, as set forth by Bell to the po-
lice.
Dear Widaman: have decided to
give Agnes (Mrs. Belly my Fl Paso
property and execute the deed You VIII
find it in my box and please have It
recorded
Rico described Bells condition upon
the day Of the shooting and states that
he had "a wild look in his eyes, seem
ed very nervous and was hardly able to
talk" The detective also testified that
room key Y was found in Wfdamau's
possession at the city Jail when he was
searched there.