The morning call., 1892-09-30
KISSED AND MADE Up.
A Divorce Lawyer Who Lost
His Little Fee.
NOW HE is SUING FOR 1T.
The Odd Case Of DR.. and Mrs. Kuhlman OF
This City-A Wife Who
Repented.

There are lawyers in Chicago who are
sad to advertise Divorces granted while
you wait"
We have not arrived yet at that point Of
civilization, but San Francisco lawyers are
usually ready TO assist client in distress.
Mrs. Kuhlman had serious quarrel with
her husband. DR.. Charles G. Kuhlman, of
Fulton street.
So serious was it, in fact, that the doctor
last August LETT his home and slept at his
office or at the various hotels.
He felt sorry about the estrangement,
but considered that his wife was not we'll
and that probably solitude would restore the
harmony destroyed by ''the little rift within
the Lutte"
All the more was he convinced of this
when one of his children came running
into his bedroom one morning and asked
him to come and see mamma"
lie found mamma very sick and pre-
scribed for her and thought things would
soon be all right.
But he was thunderstruck TO receive a
day or two afterward papers in divorce
suit instituted against him during his wife's
solitude.
He had forgotten the dangers Of solitude.
The lonesome wife, brOoding over her
wrongs, had perused the newspapers with
avidilY, and her eye had lighted upon the
card of professional divorce4awyeT.
He announced free consultations and
seemed TO point to ready relief with little
vengeance IN 1t for the heartless spouse.
Mrs. Kuhlman went to George Howe. the
attorney who advertised, and told him all
about it.
lie was very sympathetic, and quite cer-
tain he could obtain divorce at little cost.
Finally an agreement was drawn up and
executed by which Mrs. Kuhlman agreed to
pay Howe S110. or at most $3.50, for his ef-
forts in securing her a divorce.
One of Howe's first questions was whether
the lady bad any property, and on learning
that she had about $500 he began think
ing about saving some of ii, for his client,
of course.
He told Mrs. Kuhlman that she ought 10
transfer this property TO her daughter or
some one before bringing the suit, or her
husband might claim his share OF 1t.
Mrs. Kuhman says she didn't like telling
all about her private affairs. but finally
brought down her precious deeds and Howe
drew up power of attorney aud deed OF
gift.
Then Howe received a retaining fee of
S25, and on commencing proceedings in the
Superior Court received SO 30 for court
fees.
The indignant husband, on learning how
things stood, posted off down to the attor-
ney's office and ia the name OF bis wife re-
quested him TO dismiss the action, as they
had kissed and made up.
This Mr. Howe naturally refused to do
without some authorization from his client
But Mrs. Kuhlman's heart had softened
toward her husband.
She took IL all back.
She didn't want divorce.
SO she wrote a note to Howe and sent il
by her daughter, asking him to have the
suit dismissed.
But Howe was not to be lightly
shaken off.
How about that agreement?
Did he get his $50 fee?
Moreover theCe was all this trouble about
the deedS-that was worth $50 az the least
was he TO receive that?
No? Then he would sue for it and in the
meantime would hold the deeds in his safe
as security.
DR.. Kuhlman went down to the Office and
stormed, bnt it was of no avail
The divorce suit was quickly dismissed,
but its aftermath remained
Yesterday the parties met again in Pre-
siding Justice OF the Peace Gray'S court and
stated their eases.
Prominent attorneys testified that fees of
from 500 10 $500 were commonly asked for
drawing up divorce complaints, involving
specific statements OF cruelty and failure to
provide, especially where large property
interests might be implicated.
As for drawing up a deed OF gift, power
OF attorney, etc, such instruments might
cost all the way from S5 to $50, but orduary
deeds would be about SO apiece.
Regarding Howe's right TO $50 on the
contract, seeing that proceedings were dis
missed without his having done much work
in the matter, there was some division Of
sentiment
Howe said he was quite willing to get the
divorce and the fact that the opportunity
was taken away from him did not invalidate
the contract.
He stood by that contract.
Moreover. he said the nature of the busi-
ness necessitated his draw ing up the deeds
in question.
Mrs. kuhlman's attorney denied the
necessity and asked Howe To produce the
deeds that their inconseQuenee in the mat
ter might be proved.
Howe's attorney objected. but was or
dered by the court 10 produce them next
Monday morning, when the case will be re-
sumpd