The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-02-13
AMBITIONS
PART WARD
and WIFE
Domestic Tragedy Caused by
Clash of Professions, in Which
Love Is Lost
Finds Woman Physician Too
Studious to Care for Her
Husband
Second Divorce for Each Sequel
of Triumph for Surgery
Over Marriage

The disruption of my home was
due to the lack of wifely love. 1t was
simply a case where the lives of two
professional persons could not paral-
lei My wife was too ambitious-too
much welded to her profession-to
give me that womanly love and at
lection which / craved in my home
DR.. James w. Ward.
do not desire to discuss the mat
ter. I think some things are too sa-
cred and private for the public gaze.
am sorry that such painful sub
ject has been brought up. 1 think that
mayhap if things could have been al-
lowed to drift on as they were the
breach might have been healed.-Dr.
Florence n. Ward.
DIR. Florence, n. Ward has separated
and they have different Offices, live in
opposite ends OF the city, and each is
|delving more deeply into their mu-
tually loved field OF medical research,
striving to still ,neir heart pangs. DR..
Ward ascribes their differences to his
wifes zeal in her profession, which. he
said. made it impossible for her to give
him that love and affection which he
looked for in a wife.
The marital tragedy of the Wards
is made especially Keen and is of un-
usual interest because each had been
divorced 3ust before they were married
eight years age.
DIR. Florence Ward formerly was the
wife of Frederick Saltonstall. chief
engineer for the Pacific Coast stearn-
ship company. She is an unusually
brilliant woman and had made name
for herself as physician. She was
of the homeopathic school of medicine,
as was DR.. Ward, and the two were
thrown together professionally and a
mutual attachment ensued.
DR.. Ward formerly was president of
the board of health. When DIR. Ward
lived together happily, it was pre-
sumed. for years. Shortly before the
fire it was rumored among friends of
the couple that there had been a
breach. Soon afterward Mrs. Saiton-
stall Ward went to Europe, taking her
children by her first marriage. On her
return, about six months ago, she de-
MED, in New York, that she intended to
sue for divorce from her husband,
but when she arrived in San Fran
cisco she opened Offices on one side of
Sutter street. only block away from
the Offices of her husband, the other
side
She took up her residence in the
house owned by Dr. Ward at 270o
Broadway and DR.. Ward vacated the
place and sought quarters at the Fair
mont hotel. Since then they have lived
as strangers. each conducting medi-
cal practice and neither being willing
to make overtures for reconciliation.
No divorce proceedings have been in
stituted. although both have retained
attorneys to look after their interests.
If any action is undertaken it will be
on the ground OF QeSoTtiOIl
The story of the domestic infelicities
of the Wards has been the subject Of
comment in wide circle of friends.
These rumors at first were Indignantly
denied, but the facts had become so
evident that yesterday each abandoned
all further effort at concealment and
admitted the unhappy ending of their
domestic venture. Their story is best
revealed in their own words.
MY wife is an estimable woman" :"
said DIR. Ward. She is a marvellous
woman. No one has more fruitful
future But our separation was in
Isevitable. she was too deeply immersed
in her ambition to excel In her profess
sion to give me the womanly love and
affection which / craved.
Lack of wifeIy love was the cause
of the disruption of my home. found
I could not retain that peace of mind
that IT was essential should have
! when could not get at home the
lswomanly love and affection for which
I longed So took up my quarters at
the Fairmont and she stayed in the
! house in Broadway, which I turned
over to her. / am still supporting her.
have bowed to the inevitable"
That there was a slight hope lurking
In her heart that some time. In some
way. her happiness might be restored
was evident from the manner and con-
yersation of Mrs. Ward She seemed
deeply affected at the thought that her
domestic troubles had become public
She did not attempt to deny any part
of the story. She said:
II do not desire to discuss the mat
ter I think there are some things too
sacred and private for the public gaze
am sorry that. such a painful subject
has been brought up. All can say is
that we-myself and my little family
are at the house in Broadway. We are
living our life as best we can. think,
mayhap, that If things could have been
allowed to drift on as they were the