The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-09
PRIDMORE Was DRUGGED.
4 Sports Accusation Against
His Wife.
SAYS SHE POISONED HIM.
He Reports the Loss Of Sum Of Money and
the Disappearance Of Mrs Pridmors
at the Same Time.

What might have been tragedy In low
life was enacted in Third-street lodging
house yesterday afternoon, where Thomas
Pridmore claims to have been poisoned by
his pretty but wayward wife.
Money is said to have been the object OF
the crime, as Pridmore is known TO have
had a large sum in his possession at the
time.
After taking the money the woman dlsap-
peared. aud is supposed to have fed with
male friend.
Her victim was taken to the Receiving
II osptal for treatment
Prldmore, who is a sport. met the woman
who became his wife in Oakland six years
ago.
Her maiden name was Maggie Betz. and
she was the daughter OF wealthy team
ster.
The family lived happily at their home at
721 Myrtle street. In Oakland, until Prid-
more appe AIRED on the scene
He met Miss BetZ at a party given by
some friends, and it appeared to be case
of love at first sight.
Despite the remonstrances OF her parents.
Maggie. who appeared to be infatuated with
the dashing sport, chose to join fortunes
with him.
The couple were subsequently married in
1887 in this city.
When the girls parents heard of the mar
riage. they discarded their hayward daugh-
ter and refused to recognize Pridmore as
her husband.
The couple came to this city. and after
brief honeymoon Mrs. Pridmore began to
think lightly Of her vows.
a series of Quarrels resulted. and Prid-
more fually deserted his girl wife, who
returned to the home Of her parents, where
she lived during the time Of her separation.
Prdmore went 10 Astoria, Oregon. where
be opened faro bang.
Fortune favored him and when he re-
turned to this city last August he had sew
eral thousand dollars In his pockets.
Through the agency OF some mutual
friends a reconciliation was effected, and
after being separated for three years Mrs.
PridmOre agreed TO return to her husband
and live with him.
About a week ago the couple returned to
this city and took rooms In a lodging-house
at 1881 Third street, where they have since
lived.
formed the acquaintance of young man
from Vallejo, who Is said TO DC well con-
neeted in this city.
The couple had several clandestine meet
ings of which the husband finally learned
from his friends.
Prldmore threatened to "do up" his rival
If they ever met, and watched his erring
wife closely.
Then the woman concluded to flee with
her lover.
Friday afternoon Pridmore went to
saloon ON East street, near Howard, Where
| he PLAYED cards until morning
he claims TO have returned to his home at
| about o'clock yesterday afternoon aud re-
| quested his wife to cook dinner
She appeared unusually affectionate. and
prepared a cup Of coffee for her husband TO
drink in the meantime.
Pridmore drank half the contents. when
| he noticed that the liquid had bitter taste
| and refused to drink the rest.
| He Immediately became dizzy and knew
nothing until he woke up at 3: 80 o'clock.
| On searching his pockets Pridmore found
| that he had been relieved OF S622 in gold
| which he had and that his wife had disap-
| peared.
He stumbled out Of the room into the
| hallway and told one of the dodgers whom
he met that he had been poisoned, and fell
| to the floor unconscious.
Policeman Harlow was summoned and
took Pridmore to the Southern station.
where he told the story of the drugging and
the disappearance OF his money, after which
| the patrol wagon.
DIR. Berry found that Pridmore was SUI
fering from narcotic poisoning and admin
istered the customary antidOte.
| Alter the ELECTS Oh the uFuR Hau worn OH
| Prldm0re cried like child willie he told
the story OF his hayward wife's desertion.
Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Pridmore went
to Mrs. Mchurray, the landlady of the
house, and requested the loan Of a news
| paper, remarkiDg that her husband might
| have been injured.
She was dressed for the street, and. after
| reading the paper, told the landlady she
was going to a neighboriDg grocery to make
| some purchase.
| She grew more confidential later, and
finally admitted that she was going TO see
| "a gentleman friend" and ask him to assist
her In the search for her husband.
She returned shortly before Pridmore
came pack aud remained in the room for
some time, after which she again went ont
aud has not since been seen. The loss of
the money was reported to Captain Short at
the Southern station, who says he Is DOW
erless to arrest the guilty couple unless
Pridmore secured a warrant. Pridmore will
recover.