Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-03-09
FAIR DEFENDANT
NOT SC0RNED BY.
KENNEDY, AVERS|
Woman Witness Testi-
fies Man Later Slain
Begged Marriage.
Divorced | Husband Tells
Tale Of Love Whims to
Show Affinity Accord.

Los Angeles, March S.-The love
and tenderness which Ralph Obenchain
gave to his wife, Madelynne, was not
sufficient to make her happy or make
her forget her former sweetheart, J.
Belton Kennedy, Obenchain testified
here Wednesday at the trial of Mrs.
Obenchain. charged with the murder of
Kennedy here last August. Because of
his failure to make her forget Kennedy,
as he had promised her before mar
riagc, the couple separated after but
three months of married life, Obenchain
testified. Later they were divorced.
Madelynne Obenchain was not a
woman scorned" as contended BY the
state according to Mrs. Mary G. Des,
mond, another witness. When Made
lynne told Kennedy that all was over
between them and that she was going
away. the witness said that Kennedy
pleaded with her not to leave and that
he could not live without her.
Although Mrs. Obenchain had made
plain her love for Kennedy. Obenchain
gave up his business engagements in
Chicago and came to California to as
sist in her defense and short time
her. which was prevented by court and
county Jail authorities.
Broke Onerous Bonds
Obenchain.s meeting in 1913, at
Evanston. ILL.,, with the girl who later
became his wife and then obtained
divorce, his engagement in 1914. its
severance the following year and ups
and downs Of Cupid's path until in
August, 1913. when he induced her
to marry him." formed the early part
of Obenchain's testimony.
He was recalled on the witness stand
by II. l.. Carlton, school chum Of Mrs.
Obenchain's sister, who told of atten-
tions and visits to Mrs. Obenchain by
the slain broker.
Triangle Began at College
Obenchain told Of his college life at
an Illinois university and that of his
former wife, who then was Madelynne
Connor. and student at the same
college Arthur G. Burch, co-depend
ant with Mrs. Obenchain. also was a
student there at that time. His first
meeting with Madelynne, the witness
said, was at college dance. and from
then on their friendship ripened. Their
engagement was announced in June, !
1914. about the time the witness was
graduated from the law school of the |
university This engagement was brok-
on off the following September. though |
they continued corresponding. the wit |
ness said.
Loved Kennedy Before Married
Obenchain testified that he came to
Los Angeles to see Madelynne, follow
ing his discharge from the army in
December. 1913, having learned that
she was i'll. 1t was then, the witness
testified. that he learned of her love
for Kennedy. He told her. Obenchain
said. that it could be nothing but
passing fancy; that he would take good
care Of her and that they would re-
turn to Evanston, Ill, to live, where
They were married January 1. 1919.
In answer to the question, why |
did you separate?" Obenchain replied:
Il saw she wasn't getting better. and
the way that she cared for this other
man was stronger than | thought it
was at first. and some way she couldn't
throw it off. She was not WELL l told
her l was going down and have it out
with him, but she said no. that Kenne
dy was sick and worrying about her. I
then told her the best thing to do was
to get away from both Of us and get by
herself and decide what was best. ]
|
self sick-to see her health falling
Allowed Her to Decide for Heart
Shortly after this conversation, the
witness. said he went to Chicago
Mrs. Obenchain came to Chicago in
May. 1921, the witness said, and he saw
her frequently. She told him then,
know what to do. I just can't forget
Kennedy. He wants me to marry
him."
Obenchain said that his wife at that
time asked him what she should do
and that he answered.:
Its your heart; do whatever you
want"
He went on:
Before. she left, she had made up
fornia.'
After Mrs. Obenchain had arrived
in California, Obenchain said. he re-
ceived letter from her stating that
Bolton Kennedy's mother had been
slandering her." and asking him to
threaten lawsuit to make Mrs. Ken
nedy prove her statements with re-
CARDS to Madalynne. Before this let
ter was received, the witness said. he
telling him to disregard the letter.
Told Her to Fight 1t Out
The witness said he went east after ,
telling his wife to flight it ont by her
self, away from him. as be wanted her
TO be happy.
ObenchaiH further testified to meet
ing his wife in Chicago in May. 1921,
where she came, according to the wit
ness. to decide whether she could ever !
give up Kennedy. The witness then i
(Uontinaed ON Fags Eleven.l II