The San Francisco call., 1905-06-10
WIFE BATTLES
FOR HER LIFE

Laura M. Comyns was granted a d.
vorce yesterday by Judge Graham from
Thomas l.. Comyns, a member of the
frm of Comyns & Childer, metal roofers,
after reciting a tale of cruelty seldom
equaled even in the divorce courts of San
Francisco. She testified that one night
about a year ago her husband arrived at
their home in an intoxicated condition.
Without word, he grabbed her by the
arms, carried her past their screaming
children to an upper bedroom. threw her
into corner and then, drawing re-
volver. told her to prepare for death.
II argued with my husband" said Mrs.
Comyns. telling him that he must have
lost his senses to talk that way. and
finally caught him of his guard and
grappled with him. We fought all over
the room, my husband trying to shoot
me, but finally his foot struck trunk,
he tripped and in falling released his hold
of the revolver. l picked II up, unlocked
the door quickly and running 70 the head
of the stairs threw IL down. He reeled
after it. and 1 again struggled with him
to get down first. but when we arrived
the revolver was nowhere to be seen. 1t
had slid unoar heavy hat rack, where
/ afterwarS found IL. While we were
looking for the revolver the doorbel rang,
and this saved my life. because my hus-
band left by the back way when he knew
Finally forgave him upon his prom
Use not to repeat his action, but short
time ago he again returned home drunk
and started TO abuse me- Then / decided
to sue for divorce"
Mrs. Comyns testimony was corrobo-
rated and she was granted a decree with
out delay.
OTHER DEGREES GRANTED.
DEGREES of divorce were also granted to
Millie Sparks from A. d. Sparks for de-
sertion, Sadie Smith from William Smith
for failure to provide, Odessa Walker
from James Walker for desertion and
Clotilde de Robles from Manuel de Ro-
bles for willful neglect.
l.. D. Bachelor has a remarkable story
to tell in his suit for divorce from Susie
Batchelor. Bachelor says his wife has
lost all respect for herself, her children
and her husband. He says she beats
their little ones. Alvina. Wayne and Ran
dolph, and on numerous occasions has
turned them out of doors in the rain and
sent them some distance from the house
that she might entertain various men in
their home, one Michael Cummings being
her most frequent visitor. He says she
has left her little children alone in their
home on a Sonoma County ranch after
dark. leaving a coal oil lamp burning,
with no one TO watch it and no one to
keep the children away from II. In con-
clusion he alleges that she has threatened
to poison her children and herself. In
addition to a decree of divorce he asks
that his wife be enjoined from going near
their home or interfering with the chill
dren in any way.
Suits for divorce were also filed by Ber-
tha Sutton against Lawrence E. Sutton
for cruelty Josephine H. Schmidt against
John W. E. Schmidt for failure to pro-
vide. Johanna E. Fink against Martin
Fink for cruelty and Hilda NJ Wild
against Richard Wild for desertion-
SEEKS ANNULLMENT.
Anna Gowan filed suit yesterday against
Walter Gowan to annul their marriage,
which occurred November 5. 1904. Mrs.
Gowan alleges that her husband had
wife living when she welded him
Johnson Newsom, who owns STOCK val
ued at $4,000 in the Elkus-Brenner Com
pany. II Battery street, was adjudged
guilty of contempt OF court by Judge
Trout Yesterday and ordered confined In
the County Jail Newsom Is $50 in ar
rears for alimony ordered paid his former
wife, Mary Newsom, who got a divorce
from him on January 13 last.
Though her husband, DR.. George r.
Hubbell, was granted divorce from her
last month, Mrs. DR.. Harriet H Hubbell
has not yet abandoned claim to him
Yesterday she fled a suit for mainten-
ance, alleging that he deserted her on
July IA, 1904, and has since failed to con-
tribute to her support. This suit will
raise a new question under the interlocu-
tory divorce law. Though Hubbell was
granted a divorce on the ground Of cru
city, Mrs. Hubbell raises the point that
as she has filed motion for a new trial
and that as the decree in any event will
NOT go into effect for one year she Is en-
titled IN maintenance in the meantime.