The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-10-07
MILLIONAIRE LEATHE'S WIFE
SUES HIM FOR A DIVORCE.
Claims Husband. Who Is 20. Mis-
treated and Ordered Her From
the HOuSe-Her Where
abouts Kept Secret.
MARRIED ONLY TEN MONTHS.

cursed. abused. threatened and denied
credit at st. Louis stores by her million
, sirs husband. Mrs. Grace A. Leatfle.
through her attorney. Colonel D. p. Dyer,
brought divorce proceedings against Sam
uel II. Leathe yesterday
Mr.. Leathe. who IS 20 years old. and
resident OF St Louis since 1876. and Mrs.
Leathe were married IN one OF the parlors
OF the Southern Hotel. January OF this
year. She lg about 50 years old and was
the widow OF Major Oscar b. Wilson of
the United States Army.
1t Is said that she has not lived at Mr..
Leathes home No. III: Locust street. for
about six weel.s having apartments al
the Planters Hotel. where she stayed
until about ten days ngo. She left no in
forma ton az to where she was going and
her attorney says he will not subject her
to any more publicity than possible by di-
vulging her present whereabouts. AIr.
Leathe says he does not know where she
is, and emphatically refuses TO discuss the
suit in any way.
In her petition Mrs. Leathe alleges that
her husband cursed and abused her. called
her liar. slapped her in the face. refused
to provide for her comfort, denied her
credit at the st. Louis stores and said
You can get out or I will throw You
out
She states that he owns real estate and
personal property valued at more than ST..
0o0.0oO. and prays for maintenance.
The case was assigned to Judge Kin
ealy's division of the Circuit Court. 1t is
said that her attorney will in few days
apply for an order for alimony for his
clients support until the trial, which will
not come up before the December term.
WEDDING WAS QUIET.
The wedding last January was quiet.
only two witnesses being present-Rufus
J. Lakeland. president of the Boatmen's
Bank, and Mrs. John Morgan Of Collins
Vile. H., her daughter. Ths ceremony
was performed by the Reverend Joseph II.
Young. pastor OF the Wagner Place
Methodist Episcopal Church. South.
She was a widow about nine months be-
fore marrying Mr.. Leathe. and her home
previous to her taking up apartments at
the Planters was in indianapolis. She
spent much time travelling in the East and
in California prior TO the first os this year
When Mr.. Leathe was seen at his home
II.
learned OF the suit and could say nothing
will you fight it?' was asked
Cant say thing about It," came the
reply through a steadily closing door
Have you any answer to make to the
aIlesations?"
None whatever. Can't say a word
DO you''-the question was broken or
with the slam Of the door. and Mr. Ieathe. |
followed by his Japanese servant. went |
back to his unfinished dinner.
LEATHEs CAREER EyENTTU1.
The divorce suit Is the climax of an |
eventful career for Mr.. Leathe He has |
visited many foreign points as sailor. !
was a "forty-niner." crossing tho plains
with an OK team. a freighter in Southern
q projection Of a stage line
across the Isthmus Of Nicaragua, COM
merchant in Boston, importer
and Wholesale dealer In mirrors and pic
ture frames, builder OF the ST. Louis,
Bellevillle and Southern Railway and
inallly millionaire real estate dealer and
,ne Of the largest taxpayers in st. Louis
Before coming into his ultimate fortune
,fter years of wanderings and adven-
.ure Mr.. Leathe barely escaped becom-
ng the possessor of millions of dollars
through different sources.
He was born in Woburn, Mass. in 1875
md came of sturdy Revolutionary stock.
His grandfather participated in the
,attle Of Bunker Hill. leaving his home
N FIVE minutes notice and grabbing a
;un from over the fireplace. Mr.. Leathe
,btained his early education In the pub |
lc schools of Woburn and the Warren
academy. He came into his fathers es-
ate before reaching majority. but was |
In its mana cement and. be-
ng of a rowing disposition. shipped as
N apprentice on a China-bound sailing
essel in 1s47. He begged to remain
shore when the boat reached Canton,
ut the captain refused.
MEETS KIT CARSON.
Arriving in New York at the time l
'oIonel John C. Fremont was planning
is third exploring expedition to the
oast. he was chosen out OF several hun
red applicants. When he arrived In St :
outs on the way to the starting point, :
No., he met Kit Carson. d
he famous scout on account OF the late
ess of the season. decided not to toin 7
he expedition, and Leathe was persuad- Z
to remain behind also.
About this time, several returning recf- +
,ents from the Mexican War sold sever i
| horses to Mr.. Leathe at Independence
nd they were taken to Arkansas and 7
ouisiana ard disposed OF at good profit. S