The San Francisco call., 1909-03-20
Wife of Frank Thompson Says the Cruelty
Commenced Four Months After Marriage

Complaining that her life had been
passed "in mental and physical tor
ture." Mrs. Ella Gertrude Thompson
yesterday brought suit for divorce and
s2,50O monthly alimony against her
husband, Frank Thompson, a son of
the late Captain Robert r. Thompson,
founder Of the Oregon river and navi-
cation company. who left an estate
valued at sS.000.o00, of which the son
inherits 81 ,00e. 00o The abuse reached
its climax on March s last, when, ac
cording to the complaint, Thompson
tried to kill his wife at the st. Fran
els hotel.
The suit was filed by Mrs. Thomp-
sons attorney, John S. Partridge. Mrs.
Thompson asks to be awarded the Gus
tody Of her child, Harriet Genevieve
Thompson, a beautiful girl of 16.
ABUSE LONG CONTINUED
In the complaint the husband is pic
tured as a cruel inebriate, but the
formal papers give but a fleeting
glimpse of the domestic troubles of
the Thompson family.
Mrs. Thompson is the daughter of
Louis Roge. a French restaurant keep
er OF this city. Seventeen years ago
he conducted a popular eating place
which Thompson frequented. The
young man eliminated his patronage
by marrying the daughter of the pro-
prietor. a surprisingly pretty girl OF
II. with masses OF dark auburn hair,
which still retains its luster.
-Four months after the marriage,
which was celebrated July q, 1891. the
husbands abuse begun, according to
the wife. and kept up until March 8
of this year, when the couple sepa-
rated, Mrs. Thompson remaining at the
st. Francis hotel and her husband go
ing to the Union Square hotel. near by.
PRESENTS TO MAKE PEACE
There were intervals of peace. or
rather interruptions of abuse during
those II years, according to Mrs.
Thompson.
He had an idea that a few presents
would make up for his abuse-he
would ease his conscience by giving
me jewels and other things" said the
wife yesterday. but he never showed
any contritioa for his actions. That
was the hardest part of his nature to
bear. He never thought he was in
the wrong, He never could stand to
have any one cross him. He didn't
like me to have any opinions of my
own"
The last stand" that Thompson
made at the ST. Francis was a desper-
ate one, according to the plaintiff in
the suit Thompson came TO his room
intoxicated. The bellboy helped him
in and he seemed amiable," said Mrs.
Thompson yesterday. about IL o'clock
that evening he aroused himself and
was ugly. I locked myself in the bath
room and he denounced me to my
niece, Miss Ella Evenson, who was
staying with me.
ATTACK WITH BOTTLE
tured from the bathroom. He grabbed
a bottle from the table and struck at
me with IT, but defended myself with
a chair and fenced off the blow. Then
he grabbed me by the throat. I tainted.
My niece saved me from serious in
jury"
In the complaint the wife charges
Thompson with habitual intemperance; /;
that he called her vile names about the
time Of the death OF their second child !;
that at Redondo he beat and abused
her in the presence Of other persons
and that he beat and struck and
kicked and choked" the defendant;
called her opprobrious names and at
tempted to kill her.
ATTEMPTED REFORMATION
Mrs Thompson declares that she
never gave the slightest cause for this
cruel treatment: that she always con-
ducIGQ neISelA III NA-CAJ
tried to reform her husband. The
reformation proceedings consisted in
taking him twice TO the Livermore san
itarium for treatment for the liquor
habit.
Mrs. Thompson asks for an injunc-
ton to restrain the r. r. Thompson
company from applying to the probate
courts for the distribution Of Frank
Thompson's share of the $4,000 600. The
restraining order was made returnable
Friday. March Is. 1t is alleged that
Thompson made over his property to
the company in an effort to prevent his
wife from sharing in the money.
Thompson is well connected. His