The San Francisco call., 1909-06-09
SORRY THAT He
WAS GENEROUS
WITH Ills WIFE
Wealthy Piedmont Resident
Sues to Cancel Property
Settlement
r. L. Johns Claims His Spouse
Has Been "UnIoving, Un-
true and UnfaithfuI"

Charging his wife with unfaithful-
ness 70 him and alleging that by fraud.
deceit and Misrepresentation she in
duced him 10 deed real estate worth
So. 900 to her and TO place in trust for
her personal property worth $4,000.
r. L Johns. a wealthy resident OF
Piedmont, fled suit in this city yester-
day against Nellie ST. Clair Johns to
concel the deeds and conveyances- In
his complaint he tells a remarkable
story that 10 some extent reflects upon
himself.
ADMITS DRUNKEN ESCAPADE
The settlement upon Mrs. Johns was
made in June OF last year, after she
had left their home at Piedmont and
while she was threatening an action for
divorce. The basis for the divorce suit
which she said she intended TO insti-
tute was an escspade 10 which Johns
pleaded guilty. II occurred June %.
1907, when Mrs. Johns was absent from
tie state and staying with friends at
spartansburg. s. C Johns states that
on that date. while temporarily de-
ranged from the effect OF alcohol or
drugs, he acted in boisterous, insane
and drunken manner in the presence
OF servants and in the presence Of the
mother OF Mrs. Johns. This occurred
al the family home in Piedmont.
SEPARATED YEAR AGO
The separation occurred in June of
last year. Johns went to Goldheld May
81 on a business trip. His wife ex-
hibited great affection for him on part
ing. he states. IN fact. he adds. ever
since the death OF her mother. which
occurred April S. 1908, she had mani
Tested extraordinary affection for him
Mrs. Johns left their home June g.
three days after he went TO Goldfield.
He heard Of il June 4 and at once re-
turned 10 san Francisco. A diligent
search failed TO reveal the wherea bouts
OF his wife. but later he was notified
through her attorneys that she in
tended 10 bring suit for divorce based
on his conduct while she was in South
Carolina
Mrs. Johns further informed her nus
band. through the lawyers, that knowl-
edge Of that escapade had come to her
through others; that she was at the
point OF death by reason Of the knowl-
edge; that il had caused an attack
OF spinal meningitis; that she never
would live with him again. and that
she desired property settlement
MAKES PROPERTY SETTLEMENT
Johns says he believed his wife TO be
temporarily deranged because of her
mothers death, but as he had no cause
20 suspect that she was not faithful to
him he executed settlement on her.
He gave her $4,000 in cash. besides
which she drew SL25O from the bank
The home at Piedmont worth $40. 0oO
was decided 10 her outright. Stocks
and bonds worth $50. 900. comprising 10
bonds Of the Northern Pacific railway.
100 shares Of the Oakland traction
company, 400 shares Of the United
States steel corporation and 81 bonds
OF the Peoples water company. were
placed in trust with the Union trust
$4,000 Of the income from which was
10 be paid 10 her. the balance to go to
Johns.
ACCUSES HIS WIFE
Johns says he was suffering from
nervous prostration at the time he
made the settlement immediately
sfterwsrd he was ordered by his physi-
clan TO travel abroad. Since coming
back he has. he claims. learned that
his wife's statements We're false. For
six years she had claimed to be a very
sick woman Her sickness was greatly
exaggerated. Johns says. and she
feigned fainting spells for the purpose
OF enlisting his sympathy and generous
treatment Her love and affection for
him was merely pretended, according TO
Johns complaint. and for the last four
years she has been -an unloving, un-
true and unfaithful wife" For a long
time, II is charged. she had been wait
ing TO entrsp him into some indiscreet
act as q foundation for a divorce or 10
obtain a property settlement. and she
rejOiced and was glad when she heard
OF his escapade while she was in South
Carolina.
At the time he made the settlement
his entire property was worth sI75OOO
Johns asserts. It was all community
property. having been acquired since
their marriage, which took place in
St Paul. Mimi, December % 1895.
Stacy W Gibbs and Reed, Black &
Reed are the attorneys for Johns
Great Secrecy Maintained
OAKLAND, June s.-The greatest
secrecy is being maintained by Stacy
". Gibbs and Reed, Black & Reed. the
attorneys for R L. Johns in the action
begun by him IN San Francisco today
against his wife TO set aside deeds and
oonveyances made in her behalf Since
4 saving the Johns home IN the exclusive
-APiedmont district. Mrs. Johns has re-
sided in Berkeley. Johns was formerly
one Of the most prominent lawyers OF
St. Paul After amassing much wealth
there. he came to this city and bought
q home in Piedmont He established
Offices in San Francisco and resumed