Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-03-02
JOHN G. ARTHUR
sues FOR DIVORCE
Penniless Lawyer, Once Rich,
Files Sensational Charges
Against Doctor Wife.
WE'D TWENTY. SEVEN YEARS

Sensational charges against his
wife, Matte L. Arthur, prominent
woman physician and active in club
affairs, are made by John G. Arthur,
aged and one-time wealthy attorney,
i'll a divorce suit filed in district
court.
The 75-year-old lawyer, now an in
mate OF the House of Hope, alleges
that after years of scheming and the
building for herself of a successful
career, she has succeeded in obtain
ing possession of all his property
and has driven him from his home
at 1888 South Thirty-third street,
leaving him. The professional
woman's alleged plot, according to
Arthur's assertions, has left him PEN
nlless, without money enough to even
pay the costs of the divorce suit.
The bulky petition with its start
ling allegations was prepared by the
law firm of Sutton, Mckenzie & Har-
ris, who ask for their client an alb
solute divorce decree and seek to
have the court declare null and void
a deed made last year by which, it
is alleged, Mrs. Arthur acquired the
whip hand in the family fortunes.
She Studies Medicine.
The Arthurs were married at Deca-
tur, Neb., in December, 1880, and
have been residents of Omaha for
the last twenty years. According to
the aged lawyer, soon after their
marriage his wife became dissatisfied
with the life of housewife and de-
manded that he furnish. her with funds
with which to attend medical col
lege. Arthur, asserting that she posi-
lively refused to be just plain wife,
sets forth that he gave her $1,000
with which to satisfy her ambition to
become a physician.
Mrs. Arthur graduated from med
ical school and hung up her doctors
single at Oakland, Neb., according
to the petition. His wife in short
time, Arthur alleges, became dissatis-
fed and expressed a desire to seek
idl kCi 4lCluS WuClC sic WOLlu Have
the opportunity OF building up a
profitable practice and obtaining big
fees.
Arthur recounts that he had a good
practice as lawyer, was interested
in other lines of business and was
well able to care for his family and
lay aside something for old age, but
his wife insisted on moving to San
Diego, Cal.
Once Leading Lawyer.
In the Golden State Arthur asserts
that he became partner of one of
the leading lawyers of the Pacific
coast and soon built up large prac-
tice. But, he alleges, his wife again
became dissatisfied and demanded
that they return to Nebraska, threat
ening to bring about separation if
he did not consent to the change. He
says that this change resulted in a
great financial loss to him.
The scene now shifts to Fender,
Neb., where, according to his allega-
tons, his doctor wife became dissatis-
fed after two and half years resi-
dence and insisted on moving back
to Oakland. She became dissatisfied
there, he AYERS, and moved to Omaha.
Arthur alleges that as time went on
his professional mate became more
and more domineering and, "disre.
garding her marriage relations, tried
to rule and did rule the household
He says that she became the boss
and threatened him when he objected
relating that she ordered him around
as If he were child.
Says She Swore.
His wife frequently swore, Arthur
alleges, shook her fist in his face, and
enforced her demands with profanity
and wallops on his jaw. He further
alleges that she began scheming tc
obtain all his property and system.
atically carried on a campaign to des.
troy his peace of mind.
NThe complaining husband asserts
that she would come into his room in
the middle of the night, curse him
and shake her fist in his face. On one
occasion, he alleges, he awoke and
found her standing beside his bed