The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-23

Preston freely admits that her object in
causing her husbands arrest is prompted
as much by revenge as the hope that the
law may force him to do for her what his
sober instincts as "a husband and father
have failed to do.
at is ten years since l married my hus-
band in Shasta COUNTY, said Mrs. Preston
yesterday HE was then the owner of a
ranch in Shasta County, and while we
lived there everything went well. He had
passion for fine stock and horses and he
was fond of racing. Three years after our
marriage he made up his mind to return
to Ireland, where his people resided, and
through the agency of some real estate
men in this city he sold the Shasta County
ranch for $4,000. | had some property OF
my own, and at his request sold it. This
was seven years ago, and from that sale
date my troubles.
ave went to Ireland in 1888 and re-
manned there three years Ny husbands
relatives hated me for some reason, and
they did all in their power to poison my
husbands mind against me. He went
into the stock business and was swindled
at every turn. Our money was dwindiing
away fast, and at the end of three years he
| consented to return to California ana IN
vest the remainder.
| my husbands prospects did not I'M
prove on our return to this city. He fitted
| up stable on Fern avenue and bought a
number of valuable horses which he
traded for this and that, invariably at q
loss. He had no eye to business and when
| he was drunk he threw his money away
lavishly. The end finally came in Novem-
Der, 1898, swhen he informed me that he
was penniless. | could scarcely compre-
| bend the situation. The knowledge OF his
| financial embarrassment weighed heavily
upon him and he sought relief in drink.
He abused me frequently, ultreated the
children, and in many ways rendered my
life miserable. was almost happy at last
when he disappeared without leaving a
| trace behind him."
| No traces of Preston's whereabouts could
be discovered for several months. In the
| meantime Mrs. Preston had arrived at the
end OF her resources, and by the ald OF
| friends had been enabled to fit up lodg-
| ing house at Is Oak street. The venture
| did not pay and the poor woman was
| forced to work as waitress in hotel
| Friends took charge of her children, but
their growing wants rendered some other
step in their behalf necessary. Mrs. Pres
| ton then rented the place at 236 Tehama
! street, where she now resides.
Mrs. Preston can scarcely realize that
her husband has squandered $4,000 in
seven years. When they left Ireland four
years ago, they had some $l7,00 IN cash.
| She has since learned that Preston gam
bled, and that he associated with dis
| reputable women. Wherever he was
known ne was regarded as dupe.
Preston was located at Wrights station,
in Santa Clara County, several days ago,
and an officer will be sent there to-day to
apprehend him. In letter to a friend
some time ago Preston charged that his
wife was responsible for his downfall. He
| said that she treated him scornfulIy and
~ nrta u-if Preston
alludes to what she terms his shameful att
tempt to blacken her reputation, with
tears, and refers to numerous friends who,
she says, will testify that she was always a
| model wife and mother.
I'm consequence of his attempt to wreck
my character said Mrs. Preston, ~ have
made up my mind to punish him for his
desertion. Nothing else could have
prompted me to take this step, for in do
| ing SO l wish to vindicate myself and at
the same time force him to provide for the
| children which he has left on my hands. !"