The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-05
boutwell, WAS BAD
ACCORDING TO HIS WIFE'S COM
PLANT FOR A DIVORCE
CRUELTY AND DEBAuCHERY
Both Husband and Wife Charge Each
Other With Infdelity-Tempo-
rary Alimony Granted

Divorce suits are occupying about one
half of the time in the single department
of the superior court now in session. The
complaints in the Boutwell, proceedings are
certainly lively enough to satisfy the de-
eires of any one who has thirst for sensa-
tionalism.
James and Harriet A Boutwell, were mar
ried at Gallon, Ohio, in the summer of 1871.
Not more than two years had passed when
there came some disagreement which
caused the husband to knock his wife
down, kick her. choke her and finally throw
her out of the house. The matter was
patched up, however. and all was compare
lively serene until the couple took up their
residence in California in 1894. They had
been In the state for several years, making
their home at Florence, when they moved
to Los Angeles and located at 453 Jackson
street, where, according to the wifes state
ment, she has led a most miserable exist
ence as result of her husbands deplora-
bly, cruel and bestial conduct.
At times, according to the wife's petition
he would be kind, considerate and atten-
tive, but those occasions seemed to be
only calm before the storm. When the
wind changed he would indulge in the most
shameful debauches, apparently hesitat-
Ing at no devilish proceeding which might
suggest itself. On Easter Sunday, 1888. ac-
companed by a notorious prostitute he
Is alleged to have driven to Santa Monica
and after both he and his companion had
become intoxicated they started home,
only to break down soon after leaving the
beach town. They changed vehicles and
came driving into Los Angeles in buck
board with wheel or two of the broken
buggy tied on behind. The route chosen
on entering the city took them past the
Boutwell, residence, where the wife sat at
the window awaiting the return of her
liege lord. He attracted her attention on
passing by waving his hat and calling out
to her.
When Mrs Boutwell, censured him for
such conduct next morning, he is said to
have responded by knocking her down and
beating her. On many other occasions, the
complainant alleged, he had abused and
mistreated his wife, often accusing her of
being a common prostitute, and one time
specifically charging her of intimacy with
lawyers doctors. merchants, jewelers., real
estate men, trucksters. teams ters. laundry
man and men in all walks of life. He
and finally wound up the episode by throw
ing his wife out of the house in August, 1891,
and afterward selling all the furniture to
& secondhand dealer.
The couple lived together for short peri
DDS after this, but the husband finally filed
a divorce petition in the superior court, and
the story as told above is from the wife :
answer and cross omplaint, in which she
further alleges that Boutwell, fraudulently
induced her to sign deeds and releases to
all her property rights. under the represen-
,ation that the documents would make be-
tween them an equitable division of about
$1,000 worth of property.
Bothwel's complaint is based upon allie
cations similar to those which the wife
claims he has often made against her be-
fore. namely, that she is and has long been
unfaithful to him.
In motion for alimony brought before
Judge Shaw yes terday, the court ordered
Boutwell, to pay her $40 per month until the
case is heard and 500 expenses.