The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-03-30

we're dismissed.
Mr.. Royal ;hen began 10 read what
are alleged TO be statements OF MT
IennCy 10 his daughter IN Los An
-eiCs. He read that Mrs Bunch ties
Nncd that her father told her of many
intrigues.
the particulars are too horrible to
read" said Mr.. Royal though he READ
them.
Mr. Royal then read Mrs. Tenney's
account of the events Of the night in
1906 which are said to have led 60
this divorce case. She said she was
i'll from ptomaine poison
statement from Mrs. Bunch was
also read. TO about the same effect.
Mrs. Bunch saying her mother did
not have the habit of drinking, and
she thought the incidents were fully
explained TO her father on his return
to his home.
This was the night Major Gordon is
said TO have spent at the Tenney home
in Mr.. Tenney's absence.
Mr.. Royal referred to William
Hampton's affidavit. and said Hamp-
ton was a negro brute. This Hamp-
ton was a servant in the house ant
deposed that he mad found whiSkey
glasses in the room and evidences of
sickness.
Speaks OF negro Hampton.
Mr.. Royal SAID that as all Ten
news case rested upon Hampton's tes-
dmony, he would speak of Hampton.
He is an ignorant negro" said the
lawyer. "a cornheld negro, and though
I hate to say it, have found very
few of these who were not purchas-
able Against his word you have that
Of Mrs. Tenney and Mrs. Bunch. Mrs.
Bunch said she cleaned the room of
Major Gordon the next morning and
did not see what Hampton claimed
he saw"
Hampton was bought by Tenney,"
said Mr.. Royal emphaticallS. He
tried TO buy Ellen Reid, but he
couldn't-the old negro cook-but she
wasn't purchaSable."
He then read from the testimony of
Ellen Reid in which she told OF Mr.
Tenney asking her questions Of did
Mrs. Tenney drink, and about Major
Gordon, in answer to which the ne
gro woman said she knew nothing.
What was Mr.. Tenney doing" she
was asked, Said Mr.. Royal, while
asking these questions. and the old
woman said he was rafting money"
Mr.. Royal said he himself had
behalf and described certain incidents
of IT, and Mr.. Royal touched upon
them very briefly.
Mr.. Royal then said he would read
Mrs. Tenney's sketch OF Tillman
Bunch. 1t began with the statement
that Bunch was "disregardful of the
truth"
The chief point in this is that it is
claimed Mrs. Tenney made certain
statements to Mr.. Bunch concerning
| the actions OF herself and Major Cor
| don while on a Pullman car in 1897
which she afterward said was a fic-
| ton made TO test her daughters faith.
The lawyer read that Mrs. Tenney
| had testified that Bunch was a care
| less, reckless fellow. He had been :,
Academy. from which he resigned.
an officer in the naval service from
he also resigned; positions. explained
| Mr.. Royal got for him by his uncle.
who is Senator Benjamin Tnlman.
AIRS. Royal also mentioned that Mt
| Bunch is nephew OF Jim Tillnan.
Who killed t-Ditor Gonzales several
years ago.
Mr.. Roya read from Mrs. Tenney's
staten tent that she was greatly grieVed
and burdened at her son-in-law's neg
| lect OF her daughter. The statement
also said that Major Gordon had not
tried TO hide when he was here in
June, 1909.
rs 60 TiIlman Bunch.
Mr.. Royal then read that Mrs Ten
ney, in answer to questions. said she
would not believe Tillman Bunch on
oath II IL affected his interests lie
also read that Mrs. Tenney said Bunch
had been very remiSs in the duties OF
a husband.
Mr.. Royal. continuing to read.
reached Mr.. BunChs testimony. one
portion of II being to the effect that
she had awakened in New York
hotel and saw Major Gordon in the
room. and ordered him out. This i'm
mediately followed the Pullman car
incident mentioned above.
Mrs. Bunch. said Mr. Royal. gave
a different version of Mrs. Tenney's
statement
He" said the lawyer. referring to
Tillman Bunch. was spy"
Mr.. Royal said Bunch told him
Mrs. Tenney had told him this story
was fiction right away.
I asked him would he testify to
that and he said yes. 7 put him or
the stand and he said IL was "A year
after that Mrs. Tenney took il back
He didn't do what he told me nc
would do" said Mr.. Royal. "he fooled
me-"
AR. Royal then sprang a sensa-
ton by reading copy of a requisition
issued by the Governor of Georgia
upon the Governor of South Carolina
for Tillman Bunch. on a charge of
cheating and swindling"
He then read that the Governor Of
South Carolina had refused TO honor
this -equisitica upon the ground OF
It beng matter Of debt.
"Tillman Bunch is Senator Tillman' :
nephew" remarked the lawyer.
incidentally Mr. Royal said he had
heard Governor Blease, of South Car
DINA, referred to as a human louise
Mr.. Royal said Mr.. Bunch had been
arrested upon this charge.
"As for jor Gordon" said Mr..
Royal, Il am responsible for him not
going on the witness stand. ] know
his failure will create some adverse
comment"
Mr.. Royal said he gave the matter
much thought and had discussed il
with Major Robert Hunter. keeper OF
Confederate records Of Virginia and
Mr.. c. c. Harrison. one of the IN ost
prominent citizens of Decatur. The
lawyer said that he was convinced OF
the majors innocence. but from what
Fhe had heard believed that he would
be a bad witness and might hurt the
case.
Besides " he said. Mr., Tennev had
to prove his wife's guilt; she was not
called upon to prove her innocence
Mt Royal was about to begin the
reading Of some letters when Judge
Grinnan adjourned court until $50
! Tt was then 1850.