The San Francisco call., 1906-06-23
MOTHER WAN IS
KIDNAPPED SON
Mrs. Jean Rowell Begs
for the Custody of
Her Child.
Matrimonial Differences
Lead Many Couples
to Court.

81 want my boy" cried Mrs. Jean
courtroom yesterday morning, pleading
for the custody of her 11-year- son
Leonard, who was kidnapped on Thurs
day last by his father.
With tears streaming down her face
Mrs. Rowell, who is a pretty brunette
about 80 years of age, told how her
husband. who is the son of L. F. Row
ell, formerly the local manager of
Wells, Fargo & Co., had about year
ago forsaken the straight and narrow
path to follow the devious one of the
red-light district. Through dissipation,
according to her statement, he was
finally discharged from an influential
position with Wells. Fargo & Co.
For some months past the Rowells
have not been living together. so 1t was
with surprise that Mrs. Rowell received
telephone message from her refrac-
tory spouse on last Thursday asking
for permission to take their young son
to the Cliff House to spend the day
Mrs. Rowell let the boy go upon the
father agreeing that he would bring
him home by 1880 o'clock that evening.
This he agreed 10 do, but at the time
mentioned a message was delivered to
Mrs. Rowell by the porter Of a grocery
store, who stated that the message had
been left but fifteen minutes before II
was found later, however, that the mes
sage had been left six hours before.
MOTHER Is FRANTIC.
Mrs. Rowell was frantic, and on the
witness stand yesterday morning told
of her fruitless efforts to find her child
The Rowells have always occupied a
prominent position in society in this
city, and it is said that Mrs. Rowell
has supported her husband with money
she received from her mother. Now
according to her statement, utterly dis
gusted with the actions of her husband,
she has appealed fer a divorce and the
custody OF her child.
The boy was located in Santa Cruz
yesterday morning, and will doubtless
be in his mothers arms this morning.
The Rowells reside at 1850 Washington
street.
"The soldier must CO." was the de-
cision of Presiding Judge Graham yes
terday morning in a suit for mainte-
nance instituted by Mrs. Della Thomp-
son against Hiram Thompson. Mrs.
Thompson appeared in court this morn
ing to press her claim for support for
herself and five small children. Hiram
created furore in the court when he
stated in a timid voice that he had no
objections to supporting his family, but
that he did object to supporting an
bodied man, even though he was
one OF the heroes of the Spanish-Amer-
lean war. Judge Graham was aghast
at the allegation, and by dint Of a few
questions brought out the story of how
the Thompson matrimonial differences
had arisen.
SOLDIER TAKES ROOM.
Everything, he said, had been peace
full In the family up to a year ago,
when Mrs. Thompson suddenly became
quite mercenary and sought as she said.
to increase her allowance by renting a
room to John Barthel, an ex-soldier.
Feeling that this was an intrusion upon
the peace and sanctity of his home cir
Gle. Thompson packed his grip and wan
dered to the woodshed. which he made
his habitation until the proceedings
against him by his wife.
When the Judge asked Mrs Thomp-
son why she did not send the soldier
away when she knew that his presence
was obnoxious to her husband, she re-
piled, He has been good to me-"
"If that man does not leave your
home by Tuesday" said the indignant
Judge. you can expect no clemency
from this court. Now go! And Mrs.
Thompson went.
Maud Estelle Simpson has brought
suit for divorce against Walter Scott
Simpson. The complaint, which was
filed yesterday, alleges that Simpson
since the marriage in 1901. has treated
his wife with the utmost cruelty. COM
pelling her to live with his mother.
who, ii is alleged, slapped the plain
tiff's face many times Since the fire,
says Mrs. Simpson, she has been COM
PEELED to live in a tent in Golden Gate
Park with her mother-in-law and a
star boarder, who, despite the earth
quake, refuses to be shaken from what
has proved to him to be a pleasant
home.
SUITS FOR DIVORCE.
Elsie Luella Perry yesterday filed a
complaint for a divorce from Henry
Perry on the ground Of desertion. Jacob
L. Frank seeks a divorce from Lillian
E. Frank on the ground of desertion.
Josephine A. Brady, In a complaint for
a divorce filed yesterday, alleges that
Richard Brady treated her with ex-
treme cruelty. A S. Hughs filed COM
plant for a divorce against Mary
HuRhs. The ground alleged is extreme
cruelty. Mamie B. Mulrane is suing
Lawrence F. Mulrane for divorce on
the ground of desertion.
Judge Hebbard yesterday granted
Mary Wolfe a divorce from E. NJ. Wolfe
on the ground Of willful neglect.
l.. Kreiss q Sons
VIII aoon be in their new store at 1910