The French Laundry War

Mme. Lachenal, wife of Joseph Lachenal, the French laundryman, who complained to the police on Tuesday that his home had been left deserted by her, told her side of the story yesterday. She recalled that Lachenal, accusing his wife of removing all his furniture from his laundry at 526 King Street—including a cradle and a sleeping baby—had her arrested. The house bears the sign 'French Laundry.' Mme. Lachenal explained her troubles: Lachenal has an assistant named Louise Van de Poel with two small children, and the two women do nearly all the washing for the neighborhood. Lachenal, who is idle most of the time, refuses to help with the washing, and forces his timid wife into supplying him with money. The story to the effect that his wife and the Van de Poel woman removed 'furniture and valuables' from the house Tuesday night is claimed to be untrue. The women say that he came home in the evening, created a disturbance, and became so threatening that they went away for the night. When Lachenal came back after having been to the saloons and found no one at the house, he went to the police in the hope of getting revenge. The women claim the four-year-old child was not left at the house at all, but was taken away by them. Mme. Lachenal is endeavoring to secure a divorce from her husband. When Mrs. Lachenal heard Lachenal's claims that she wanted his money, she said: 'He has money? Maybe he has, but I have not seen any of it. He wants me to support him, and I won't do it any more.' Officer Bowers called at the laundry and found the two women busily washing. Mrs. Van de Poel, upon seeing the officer, gave herself up, saying she was ready to be arrested. 'I don't want to arrest anyone,' said the officer. 'Didn't Lachenal send you here?' the woman asked in surprise. Being told he did not know who she was, she revealed a notice Lachenal had sent her: 'Miss Van de Poel—Dear Madam: This is to notify you to leave my house at once, or I will have you arrested for trespass.' Finding he could not drive the woman from the place, Lachenal began talking about her in the neighborhood, and she will today swear out a warrant for his arrest on a charge of defamation of character.