The Washington times., 1922-12-07
WANTED To
ENDL0VE
SUIT
Story About Court Is That
Woman Dreaded Publicity
of Action.

Mrs. Elsa Portner Graham
Humes, according to accounts
seemingly we'll authenticated,
dreaded the the publicity Of the
second trial of the 100000 heart
balm suit of her first husband
against her second and present one
and was willing to pay cash to
avoid further public discussion OF
family relations.
Tries to Avoid Publicity.
Attorneys for Augustus l.. Humes,
defendant. stated that their client
had no connection with the offer
and at no time would have consid-
cred a compromise settlement.
Last Monday morning, as the trial
went into its fourth week before
Associate Justice Hitz. sitting In
circuit, this gossip was called to
the attention of opposing counsel
prior to resumption of proceedings.
A lengthy conference ensued be-
tween the court and the lawyers,
while spectators wriggled impati.
emily, awaiting further testimony,
much Of which has been of sensa-
tional nature.
It was revealed that no evidence
regarding the. alleged offer will De
accepted because 1t Is SAID TO nave
been made on behalf OF the pretty
Mrs. Humes prior to the opening
Of this. the tcond trial.
A ears at Trial.
Now thsat the trial is on. Mrs.
fumes evidently has steeled her
nerves. She first appeared at the
counsel table beside her wealthy
husband a few days after taking OF
Testimony had begun. 1t was no
ticed she was exceptionally pale, but
entirely composed. She was put on
the witness stand last week, exam
ined. and cross-examined, and bore
up well under the severe grilling &C.
corded r. st of the witnesses for the
defense - the peppery Wright.
Takes Stand Again.
Pale and tired looking, Mrs.
Humes resumed the witness stand
this morning in Circuit Court, No.
1. Justice Hitz presiding.
I Mrs. Humes suffered a nervous
breakdown Tuesday afternoon after
court adjourned, having been sub
1ected to a grilling cross-examina-
ton by Attorney Daniel Thew
right, OF counsel for Graham, for
four consecutive days.
Attorney Wright at once took up
the cross-examination where he left
off when court adjourned Tuesday
afternoon with Mrs. Humes on the
witness stand. Having before him
the transcript of the testimony
given by Mrs. Humes on direct cx-
animation and his own notes, At
torney Wright attempted to prove
by witnesses own statements dis
crepancies In her testimony at this
trial. Mrs. Humes was asked about
her trip from New York to Reno.
Attorney Wilton J. Lambert, OF
counsel for Humes, objected to the
repetition by Attorney Wright of
questions asked before. Mrs. Humes
frequently refreshing herself with
little sips Of Ice water from a
tumbler which stood beside her on
the witness stand, answered some
OF the questions. To others she re.
piled: "I don't remember" or Ito
the best of my recollection"
Flares Up at Question.
The constant boring.in method Of
Attorney. Wright in Questioning
witness had its effect when Mrs.
HumeS, replying 10 WTlEntS QueS-
tion why she dealt at several banks
In New York. flared up and said:
simply because / did"
Being asked by Attorney Wright
as to whether she sent a telegram
TO Humes after she had secured a
divorce in Reno witness, in a tired
voice replied: II don't know"
DIDN'T you testify at the last
trial that you did?" asked Wright.
well, II I did. suppose did;
that's ALL" replied Mrs. Humes.
In answer to question asked by
Attorney right, Mrs. Humes said
that she had requested Attorney M.
p. Hardy, of New York, to come to
Reno and be with her during
Craham's visit because she was
afraid Of him." and that she wanted
protection.
Feared for Children.
Questioned as to why she was
Attorney Wright. Mrs. Humes said
that she feared that he would at.
tempt to take the two children away
from her. Attorney Wright also
! asked what she had paid Attorney
Hardy for his services, to which
she replied that she had given him
\ 81. 900 in cash. This, she said, was
aftfr she had married Humes.
did Graham call at the hospital