Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-09
CLEAR LAKE CONTRACTOR RE-
LArEs 70 JURY .lNclpEhTs OF
His MARRIAGE. |
WoMAN's REAL HUSBAND
ALWAYS CLOSE AT HAND
Mrs. Dsrthelsen Later Admitted She
Was Already Married to ciampit--
illegal Ceremony Took Place in Chi.
cage Church and Appeared to Be
Regular.

Mason City, May s.-The first CHAP
ter in the trial Of Mrs. Edith Harkey-
Ciampit- Berthelson was written yes
terday when the case was brought up
for trial before Judge NJ. +. Edwards
in district court. During the afternoon
the Jury was selected and following
the opening statements, G. r. Berthel-
son, who alleges he was defrauded OUT
Of $4,000 by Clampit and his wife, TOOK
the stand turnout the entire afternoon.
The recital OF Berthelson OF ms
courtship, marriage, honeymoon ana
welded life at Clear Lake, was pune
tuated by an occasional outpurst OF
laughter from the crowd Of spectators
that attended the trial. At times the
witness was confused regarding the
facts OF the hasty courtship and mar
riaSe, and the frequent objections
from the attorneys for the defense,
served only to perplex the witness.
Berthelson told OF his hurried court
ship OF Mrs. Ciampit, Of the few pas
sionate, love letters that were ex-
changed; hen recited In detail the
events leading up to and following
their marriage in Chicago. and relat-
ed a number of incidents that occurred
at the Berthelson cottage at Clear
Lake. when Clampit, posing as the half
brother OF Mrs. Berthelson, lived with
the Berthelsons.
Admits clampit 10 Husband.
Berthelson testified OF the unbecom-
ing conduct OF Mrs. <Berthelson and
Clampit after he had discovered them
In the bedroom OF the Berthelson cot
tage at the lake early one morning,
and later he testified that Mrs. Ber-
thelson confessed that Clampit was her
husband, and they had been married
In indianapolis on Jan. 20, 1916.
II asked for q written confession,
testified Berthelson, land my wife
drew up confession and signed It..
Later II disappeared, and think she
tore II up. She said at that time that
she wanted to kill herself and wanted
me to 20 to Mason City and buy
revolver in order that she might end
her life"
4 Berthelson testified that he married
AIRS. Clampit on AUG. 9, 1915 at Chi-
scago and th0t the Rev. Thomas Har-
sromeft performed the ceremony. He
stated that ciampit was one OF the
witnesses to the marriage. Mrs. Clam
3pit signed tho name Of Edith Berns-
Fdorf to the marriage certificate, ac-
scording to Berthelson.
I Berthelson testified that the mar
fr!age ceremony was performed In the
sTrinity church and that following the
Sceremony that he arranged to return
ito Clear Lake with his bride. His
wife. he said, insisted that her half
brother accompany them, and Berthel-
son testified that he bought three tick
cts and that they arrived in Clear Lake
ON the morning Of Aug. 10. 1916.
The Berthelsons occupied cottage
on the south shore. according to the
witness, and Clampit, who gave the
name Of Carson, lived with the couple.
The witness said that he lived with
his wife between Aug. 10 and Sept.
lin the summer cottage. and that early
in September his wife departed for
] Chicago, with Clamplt.
Goes TO Chicago.
MRS. Berthelson told me that she
wanted To 70 to Chicago and enter a
sarlitarium, az she said she was SUI
fering from weak heart" said Ber-
{heison, rand she told me that she
wanted Clampit to go with her. She
said he was going to study as he was
planning to become doctor"
II gave Mrs. Berthelson about $3.50
hi this time, and she lived in Chicago
about q month. Later I went to Chi
cago and found that Mrs. Berthelson
and Clampit were living in rooming
house"
I The witnsss said that the rooms
occupied by Mrs. Berthelson and Clam
pit were adjoining. He told Of sec
ond woman that was friend Of Clam
pit. and on several occasions the party
OF four went out together.
Clampit returned to Clear Lake af-
ter Berthelson and his wife had re-
turned to their home, according to tho
witness, who said upon his second
visit. clampit remained until the lat
ter part Of Mr. and Mrs.
Ciampit, parents Of Clampit, called
upon the Berthelsons at about this
time. and Berthelson stated that he