The San Francisco call., 1899-08-25
COULD GET No
DIVORCE, THOUGH
WIFE DESERTED
Bushnell Idly Burned
Her Letters.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call.

sos Broadway, Aug. "a
Although his wife in reality deserted
him years ago. William Bushnell was de-
MED a decree of divorce from Anna Bush
nell to-day by Superior Judge Ellsworth
Bushnell in his complaint alleged deser-
tion as the ground for his cause of action,
and there seemed little doubt that the
story he told on the witness stand was
true in every particular. yet the stern in
tention Of the law precluded him from
obtaining the coveted legal separation be-
cause the letters by which he might easily
have proved desertion had been destroyed
by him in a thoughtless moment
Ten years ago the couple were married
in England, and two years later Bushnell
came to America to seek new fields in
which to reap fortune. His frugal hab-
its and willingness to work early and late
soon gave promise OF bright prospects and
he sent for his wife and little one Mrs
Bushnell was not long in hurrying 10
America to join her husband, but she soon
American people and their manners. So
about five years ago she returned to her
old home in England, Bushnell willingly
defraylng all expenses, with the under
standing that some day the wife might
change her opinion of Americans and re-
turn TO him. After a few years of corre-
spondence and after numerous letters
wherein she declared she would never
again visit America all communication
ceased. and recently Bushnell sued for
divorce.
But because no one had known his wife
and no witness could be found who was
cognizant Of the desertton. and because
the all-important letters had been de-
stroyed, he could obtain no decree.
Victor Perl, who sued his wife. Eliza
beth Perl, for a divorce on the ground OF
extreme cruelty was more fortunate. He
is pattern-maker, and for several years
has occupied rooms at the GalindO Hotel
with his alleged cruel spouse until during
the latter part OF last year, when she be-
gan basking in the smiles of other men
while her husband was away. On one oc-
casion she did not return to their rooms
until a. m, and when the outraged hus-
band demonstrated she flew into a rage
and struck him with a shoe. Then fol-
lowed other abuses until Perl was forced
to secure other rooms, since when, he tes-
titled the wife had gone from bad 10
worse. Judge Ogden promptly granted
Harriet E. Klatzl. the charming opera
singer, who a present is touring with a
company in the East was also granted
divorce by Judge Ogden to-day from
sertion, and if the truant Frederick can
be found the court directs that he con-
tribute S. monthly toward the support of
the minor child. whose custody is awarded
TO the mother Klatzl is also an actor.
and when last heard from was performing
in a San Francisco theater. Two yeas
ago he deserted the fair Harriet
Barbara Bolts has been granted legal
separation from James B. Bolts on the
ground of desertion, and Is again free TO
resume her maiden name, Josephine Bar
bara Parker
Manuel S. Bettencourt, who was granted
a divorce from Maria S Bettencourt last
January. has been cited to appear before
Judge Ellsworth on the morning Of Sep
tenber II to show cause why he should
not be adJudged guilty Of contempt in not
obeying the order directing him TO pay TO
/ defendant or her attorney. Frank B. Jo-
sephs, the sum of $50 on account of attor-
ney's fees.
The divorce suit of Maddalena Ghirar-
delh against Antonio GhirardelH was dis
missed to-day at the request Of plaintiff