The New York herald., 1877-10-14
A NOTABLE SCANDAL.
CALIFORNIA MILLIosNAIIg's TROUBLE WITH

A CALIFORNIA MILLroSNAIEg's TROUBLE WITH
WOMAN CLAIMING TO RE HIS WIFE.
From the San Francisco Chronicle, Oct al
The divorce case OF Blythe vs. Blythe came up In
the Nineteenth District Court yesterday morning u
motion by plaintiffs counsel for aimony and counsel
fees pending the trial OF the case. This interesting
piece OF litigation Is calculated to attract much atten
tion from the novel points involves and the wealth
and standing OF the defendant. Thomas H. Blythe
who occupies a position in the front rank Of san
Francisco millionnaires The circumstances attending
the falling out OF this altogether lovely pair pub
lished IN the Chroncle some weeks since the names
OF the pares being suppressed, MS no proceeding at
law had then been ins stituted. Mr. Blythe had been
living with his assumed wife IN luxuriously ap-
pointed residence on Powell street The felicity OF
tho family was hnally destroyed by the discov-
cry oil what Nj Blythe supposed 10 be plot 10
get him into the ground and got possession OF his
property. He informed the ponce detectives OF the
circumstances, representing that the first attempt
upon MS lie was made by compouuding arsenic with
bis morning cocktail and s1bsequcntY the assumed
MIS- Blythe thought 10 lure HIM Into her confidence
agaiA by her deccitiul smile when he ado The I'm
portant discovery that she bad revolver poised at
ABOUT the range oil his diaphragm, concealed under
handkerchief thrown over her arm The establish
ment on Powell street was immediately dismantled
anu abandoned. Mrs BLYTHE turned adrit ana Tor
eral weeks thereafter Mr. Blythe experienced tue ne
cessity OF oodyguard night and day. when was de-
tailed from tue pol ce force Meantime detectives
Kept viglsnt watch over couple OF male OF
MrA Blythe, who were suspected OF impl-
cation IN the conspiracy against Blythe and
ms possessions During the period OF Mr..
Blyihe's position Of projected seclusion the LADY
made frequent attempts to force the barricade with
the probable purpose ol making compro-
mise. But failing IN this she finally com nmenced tho
SUIT now pending In the Nineteenth District Court
Mr. Blythe u native OF England and form, rly ranged
among his acquaintances as staid old bachelor wei
up IN the hes. Among his extensive posses ons IN
the city Is the valuable gore bounded by kearny,
Geary, Dupunt and Market streets He Is also the
mosL enterprsng OF the land graubers and present
mas h.s capacious grip on garden patch OF 10000
acres bordering on tho Colorado X YER IN San Diego
county aud his petition for confirmation oil tlc under
the Swamp and Overlooked Land act IL now advertised
IN The San Diego papers Mrs. Blythe, the lady
thus designated, was formerly known Nellie Flrman
when her charms were up for pubic patronage behind
the iootights OF the Bella Union Theatre 1t ls also
reported that she has multiplicity OF names adapted
TO different localities. She rs q pronounced blonde
petite IN form, an acute countenance OF the Dr. Mary
Walker type, and the snappi-h gray eyes OF vexed
cat In her complaint hlc, Mrs Blythe sets lorth
that she was married TO the DEFENDANT in Novem-
Der, 1885, has up 10 tho present time
been true. faithful and afeclionate wife. In
March, 1876, the defendant began TO drink
Intoxicating liquors TO excess, and wnilo under their
influence he would strike her and threaten her life.
On the I'd OF last August he drew a pistol upon her
aud threatened to XIII her unless she gave up the
tract OF marriage between them and signed paper
10 the effect that she his wife una had never
been SO. The next day he demanded from her the
keyso their residences and Grove hcr from the house.
ana mas since then refused 10 permit her
contribute TO hcr support, compelling her 10 live ON
the charity OF friends. Sho claims that he Is worth
$1,000 OOo TO $4,000 0OO and has regu income Cf
not less than SIS 900 pcr month"; and prays Tor 1udg
nent dssolving tho marruge, dividing tho common
property ana granting her alimony, together with
COSTS
Mr. Blythe, iu hts answer, puts IN direct po stive
and unqualified DENIAL OF all the represents con-
tanned IN the complaint he Is represented IN court
by II. II. Haisht and Hall McAlister Plaintiff has
retained G. w. Tyler and W. H. l.. Barnes Tho pro-
ceeding yesterday was opened Dy Mr. Barnes, who
moved Tor the granting 10 plaintiT oil alimony and
counsel fees pending the trial OF the proper
Mr. haignt stated that to grant this motion the Court
would require investigation OF the merits OF the
case, Tor which he was ready.