The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-24
O'BRIEN SUES
FOR DIVORCE
Bitter Enemy Of Tammany Seeks
Relief From Domestic Dlscord.
HUSBAND AND WIFE SILENT.
FuFuur Years Neither Spike 10 tha Other
They Lived a Very Strange
Home Lie.
HUSBAND AND WIFE SILENT.

New York. Feb. ei.-James o Brlen, for
many years one OF the most prominent
figures in New York politics, has begun
suit in the Supreme court yesterday to
obtain an absolute divorce from Mrs. ABB
bic Ella O-Brien Every effort was made
20 withhold the facts. and the name OF
the correspondent was refused TO all In
qulrers, but Ii is alleged that many of the
improprieties were committed in the house
where Mr.. and Mrs. O'Brien have lived
in estrangement for several years, IL
West Eighty-sixth street.
Their home life has been possibly with
out parallel in the entire city. MIR.
O'Brien bought the house where they live
in 1899 for $4,000. taking the title in the
names OF his children. He furnished the
place most luxuriously. purchasing bric-
a-brac valued al $500 at one time at the
Hilton sale
He took his breakfast at home with the
children. to whom he has been devoted,
eating other meals down town To avoid
coming I'm contact with his wife. He kept
his room IN the house. but by common
understanding with Mrs. o. Brien when
they passed In the halls or happened into
the same room, no word was exchanged
between them. This abnormal condition
for a separation q year ago, and It con-
tinues now that Mr.. O'Brien has applied
10 the court for a divorce.
TAMMANY'S GREAT OPPONENT.
Mr.. O'Brien. who Is now about 64 years
old, has been Identified with politics since
he was ~ and has been one OF TammanN
Halls most energetic opponents. TO him
was TO "A great extent due the exposure
OF the corruption Of the Tweed ring. and
the subsequent overthrow Of Tammany
hall lie was one OF Tildens ablest lieu
tenants. and leader In the Young Dem
ocracy in Irving hali.
He has enjoyed the sweets and Bit
ternesses of political life-many triumphs
and many defeats. He served by turn as
alderman, state HcnAt0r. sheriff and rep
resentative I'm congress, running for
mayor against Havemeyer. who was
elected in three cornered fight.
He has been married twice. His first eX-
perierce was most unhappy. lie left his
wife after she had formed habits Of dis
sipation. She died chidless in the 10s
one on May 81. 1881. he led to the altar
Miss Abbie Ella Cook. Of Saratoga
Springs. who was less than ~ years old
and very beautiful. BY this union he had
four children, two daughters and two
sons.
FAMILY DISCoRD cREPT. IN
His secoad wife. began proceedings
against. him little more than n year ago.
through her attorney. Thomas II Mckee.
OF SO Broadway. She then asserted that
he had passed her In silence every time
that they. had met in three Years.
She had been separated from him for
time. but there had been partial re-
Cancellation at about the time that he pur-
chased tho Icighty-sixth street house. She
said he had entered into an agreement
"a
for incldentais, but that he had violated
the contract and after September 1900.
he had mot given her a dollar.
She declared THAI she had been forced
10 depend upon the charity OF her mother,
Mr.. O'Hren had warned tradesmen OF the
neishborhood not 10 send any goods To
the house on his account. aud had en-
played young man through whom all
household purchases were made.
~ Mrs. O Bricn required an extra
pound OF butter or package of oatmeal
II was necessary for her TO appeal to her
husbands representative, who had tho
power to grant or to refuse any re-
quest
WIFE A POLITICAL OPPONENT.
While she denied that she was RESPONSE
bic for the family jars she admitted that
WREN Mr. O'Brien had aspired 10 the Of
fice OF police Commissioners In 1897 she had
defeat ~ least In part TO her efforts.
In addition TO these grievances she said
Mr.. O'Drien owed her large sum OF
money, From the cytnte OF her father
fhe insisted that she had obtained $4,000
in cash and Saratoga real estate OF the
value OF S,0,eo0. She kept an account In
the Second National bank. and drew upon
Il 10 help Mr.. oBrien whencver ne was
short OF funds. at one time. giving 5000
10 a politician at his request.
She regarded all the advances and the
amounts that she had expended for the
household as loans. and demanded re-
payment she also contended that he had
obtained the rentals from the Saratoga
property and had expended them with.
out consulting her.
Mr.. O'Bricn was at ono time wealthy
and was was credited with being worth
at least si.50).0OO. lie afterward got into
financial tangles. although he was able
TO continue his speculations upon re.
duced scale. lie has always spent a
large portion OF his time In brokers of.
fees md has been actively interested in
many stocks.
He denied that he was actually I'm Mrs
O'Brien's debt or that she hai obtained
one dollar from her father or from any
source excepting himself When his cir.
cumstanoes were good he gave her con.
sldeahle sums but when his means dim
inished he was compelled 10 rctrench.
NEVER TNKIND TO HER. HE SAYS
y have never been unkind 10 her" he
said, but have not liked the company
that she has kept. For the welfare OF the
children I have retained my room at tho
house ard have slept there although
have not associated with their mother.
went home one day IN 1895 and learned
that my trunk and my personal belong.
ings had been sent 20 the Holland House
Il followed them and lived in the hote
for time. and then ] returned 20 live
In the same house as my wife for the
sake Of my children. J was compelled n
stop her credit on account Of her *.
travagance and because I could mo- longer
afford to giNo her as much money 81.
she wanted. then arranged with IA,
IL IL