The San Francisco call., 1909-03-08
SOCIETY WOMAN
FILES STARTLING
DIVORCE ACTION
Mrs. Lena Seton Wakefield's
Charges Against Husband
Promise Social Sensation
Case Begun by Noted Heiress
Involves Prominent San
Francisco Women

Local society circles were surprised
yesterday to learn of the serious turn
that the domestic affairs of Frank A.
Wakefield millionaire clubman and So
cial light. have taken. The news which
has kept the gossips buzzing is that
Wakefield has been sued for divorce
by his wife, Lena Seton Wakefield,
well known heiress of this city and a
leader in San Franciscos most ex-
elusive circles.
The divorce complaint, which was
secretly filed by Mrs. Wakefield in San
Diego in answer TO her husbands pc
tition that he be permitted to see his
children, teens with sensational
charges. and the document bids fair to
rival San Francisco's most startling
divorce cases, which have recently been
abundant.
Mrs. Wakefield names as correspond
ents several prominent San Francisco
women, but so secretive have been all
persons Interested that no hint as to
who the women are has leaked out.
Denies All Charges
Wakefield answered the divorce COM
plant in a gallant manner. denying
all Of the charges and making no
charge whatever against Mrs Wake
field. To this denial Mrs Wakefield
replied assertively that her original
complaint needs no supplement-
The news of the estrangement and
its unexpected elimination was con
veyed to this city in letter written
by Mrs. WakefeId's friend.
Other allegations in the complaint,
which are of startling nature, are
closely guarded by members of the
Seton family and by the woman's at
torneys. In his answer to these scat
tering allegations Wakefield has made
a general denial
The WakefieIds were married six
years ago and the occasion was a
gala society event Wakefield was
prominent in social, club and COM
merciaI circles and the possessor of a
fortune estimated in excess of $1,000
600. His wife. as Miss Seton, was
known as member of the smart set
in Chicago, San Diego and San Fran
cisco. From her father, who had
banking interests in Chicago and San
Diego, she received fortune equal to
that of her husband. The couple
lived in harmony until a few months
ago, when Mrs. Wakefield went to
the home of her parents in San Diego
and her husband remained in San
Francisco. Then the trouble began.
Sought to See Children
An unceasing attempt on the part of
Wakefield to obtain a court order al
lowing him to visit his two children
so angered Mrs Wakefield that. in
support of her contention that her hus-
band should not be permitted to visit
his children, the divorce complaint was
fled There had been no foreboding
of this action on the part of Mrs.
Wakefield, and even Wakefield, the de-
fendant, was surprised when, through
the customary legal procedure, he was
notified of his wifes action
The business career of Wakefield has
been marked with frequent ups and
downs. Son of a wealthy manufacturer,
he inherited an immense fortune In
the course of his financial dealings
Wakefield lost his inheritance. He
operated heavily, but before his for
tune dwindled away he had built a
handsome home in Piedmont. where
Mrs. Wakefield entertained at exclusive
functions. In the midst of his finan-
cial difficulties Wakefield sailed for Ia
hiti. gathered a second fortune and re-
turned TO San Francisco.
News Causes Surprise
Wakefield was snot at his home in
Franklin street last night The news
was received with surprise by DR..
Samuel Wakefield of Oakland
brother. Apparently. according to his
statement. the domestic tranquilities
of the Wakefield home had been
smoothed over satisfactorily to both
sides of the controversy.
4 am greatly surprised to hear of
Mrs Wakefeld's action" declared Dr.
Wakefield last night