Bismarck daily tribune., 1915-09-23
S|DLE.C[ARK
CASE DEVELOPS
REAL MYSTERY
Question Of Real Parentage Of
Child Will Have to be
Solved
MISS WENDELL, NURSE
PLACED ON THE STAND
Letters of Mrs. Jennie Palmer
Add Complications to
Legal Battle

An element Of mystery was injected
into the Sidle-Clark case yesterday
when Miss Anna Wendell, the nurse
in whose charge Herbert Clarke was
left, read letters to the court purport-
ing to show that for a number or
years she was regarded as the moth
er Of The boy over whom the present
legal battle is being waged.
When the hearing was continued
yesterday, Mrs. Sidle was again plac-
ed on the stand but added little to her
testimony of the previous day.
w. J. Side of Flasher, who alleges
that he is the father of the child, was
placed Oh the stand following his
wife. Mr. Sidle told his story of the
case from the start, adding little to
the testimony that had already been
taken.
On cross examination by Attorney
Lawrence, Mr.. Side stated that he
made all arrangements with Miss
Wendell TO take the youngster until
such a time as they were able to
tale ii, previous to going to st. Paul.
He etimated that in the eight years,
since the birth of the child, he and
Mrs. Sidle have provided at least
Y-,5O0 for its care and maintenance.
No record OF the amount was kept by
Mr. Sidle. The morey, according to
his testimony, was sent to Miss Wen
dell at odd intervals Several times
various sums were handed over to
her personally: at other times money
was sent in letters, and or few oc-
casions by postal and express orders.
"Too Much Pride"
He admitted tina. he was Getermin-
ed not to take the child home, be-
cause he was anxious to CONCEAL the
fatt that child had bsen born to
MIS-. Side from his mother and rela-
tives in this city. His predominating
thought, he said, was to conceal the
news, for the time being. His pride
got the best of his judgment, but he
stated that he made every provision
fo1 the care of the baby while it was
in charge Of Miss Wendell. The only
record he kept Of money paid to Miss
Wendell was few entries made in a
pocket memorandum book several
years ago.
Able to Provide
Further questioning ,oy Attorney
Lawrence brought out the fact that,
Sides property, namely his home at
Flasher is mortgaged, to the extent
SLIGO. Regardless of THE fact Side
stated that he is we'll able to provide
for the child at the present time, and
to give it good education. His sal
ary at the present time is between ST.
800 and $500 per year.
A Number CT discrepancies in the
testimony given by Mr.. Side yester-
day, and that given in the district
court last spring were called to the
attention CT the court by the attor-
neys.
The Nurses Story
The most interesting testimony TAX
en- yesterday was that CT Mss Anna
Wendell Of ,Maquoketa, Iowa. Miss
Wendell is By far the most important
witness in the case, as the cnild N1ls
in her care for eight years, at least
to all intents and purpose. Miss
Wendell looked tired rnc carewcrn
as she took the stand and related her
story of little Herbert Clark from the
day he was left in her care a. st. Paul
up to the time she told the parents
that he was adopted by G. F. Cra-k.
Miss Wendell is 46 yeors old and
has been a nurse for practically %
years. She has been lifelong friend
Of Mrs. Sidle and came here to take
,, care OF her, previous 10 u..e birth OF
the child NJ
Made all Arrans=mcnss
Miss Wendell made all arrangements
with DR.. Campbell, the physician who
attended Mrs. Campbell to take her
to St. Paul for confinement. The trip
to st. Paul was made she stated be
cause DR.. Canri5ell was unable to be
in this city at the time and Mrs. Sidle
would not consent to having any other
physician.
Following the birth of the child, she
suggested to Mrs. Sidle that she
change her appearance to what it
previously was and return to this city,
leaving the baby in st. Paul Tor a few
months to aMay all suspicion, and then
send for it later, or go back to St.
Paul and get it.
Mr.. Sidle would not consent to the
plan, but was determined that Miss
Wendell take it until such time as
they sent for it. In choking voice
she described the parting at St Paul
when Mrs. Sidle left for home with
her husband and she took the child.
Since that time life seems to lave
been ore continual rounS OF trouble
fer Miss Wendell. She first took the
infant to Iowa Git where it was op-
Grated on for a minor injury received
at BIRTH
Read Old Letters
Miss Wendell described the manner
in which the child was siluff ed flbout.