Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1911-07-07
FAMOUS Y-OSMOND-WARD
CASE WILL BE BROUGHT BE-
FORE COURT.
CHARLES DoNELLY OF ToWNER
STOPPED OFF HERE ENROUTE
T OPARTICIPATE.

North Dakota is greatly interested
will come up at Lake Geneva, Wis,
next week, according to Charles Donnel-
ly, state S attorney of NIcHenry county,
who stopped off in Devils Lake yester
day cnroute from Towner to the scene
of action in Wisconsin.
The case involves V. Delaney, prom
inent at Williston, Mrs. Osmond, his
sister, and Miss Olive Ward, niece of
Mrs. Osmond, both of Lake Geneva,
Wis, the whole affair being over an
amount of $4,000 and the question of
who has the rishtful claim to the mon
ey.
The affair started several months
back, when Mrs. Osmond became de-
mented while travelling on the train
from Lake Geneva 20 M'illiston. The
lady, who is 70 years old, kept the pass
sengcrs in terrible fear by pulling hair
and doing divers other things, and was
put off the train at Towner, n. D.
This brought the case to the notice
of the Towner officials and after hold
ing hearing they decided to send the
woman on to her brother at Williston,
her condition being somewhat improv-
ed, although at no time, it is claimed,
has she regaiucd her right mind.
At Williston the money matters
were brought into play when Mr.. De
laney secured the power of attorney
and through an order of the probate
Judge secured the title to the money.
The Towner officials became interested
and took hand in the matter and
through States Attorney Donnelly the
claim was made that the woman would
not have done this had she not been
demented. Accordingly the Towner Of
fetal ascertained that Mrs. Osmond
had niece in Wisconsin, Miss Ward.
and though Mr.. Delaney had an order
for the money, the amount was still in
Wisconsin, and Miss Ward was advised
to get it, which she did, and still has
the $4,000 in her possession.
The idea of Mr.. Donnelly going to
Wisconsin to secure a guardian for
Mrs. Osmond, due to her condition, and
Miss Ward is the likely candidate. On
the other hand, V. Delaney has brought
charge Of embezzlement against Miss
Ward, claiming that she is keepin 6
money rightfully belonging to him, and
these cases will be threshed out next
week, Mr.. Donnelly representing Miss
Ward, while Mr.. Delaney has employed
prominent Chicago attorney.
In addition to these numerous COM
plications is another, the fact that Mr..
Osmond, the husband, is still living
and although he and Mrs. Osmond have
separated, no divorce has been granted
and if Mr.. Osmond should step in at
this time it is also feared that both
the project of Miss Ward and Mr.. De
laney would fall fiat, although it is not
likely that he will appear OIL the scene.
The legal contentious are numerous
and while it is not known what the
Chicago attorney will offer, it is GER
tain that Mr.. Donnelly's argument will
be along the line that Mrs. Osmond
was demented when the order was made
out, that the probate court had no jur-
isdiction in the case, as Williams coun'
tv does not have increased jurisdiction
and furthermore, the money referred to
is still in Wisconsin and within the
jurisdiction of the courts of Wisconsin,
as Mrs. Osmond has not taken perma.
nent residence in North Dakota.
With all this and more that will be
brought up the case proves one Of the
most interesting legal questions that
; has been brought to notice for some
time and North Dakota will watch the
result with interest.