The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-06-09
Mrs. Bushman's Real Life Picture of Her
Domestic Troubles as Told to the Court


To the Honorable the Judge of the Circuit
Court for Baltimore: Your Oratrix. 10
sephine F. Bushman, complaining. says:
That she was married to the defendant,
Francis Y. Bushman. in the city of Wilm-
ington, in the State of Delaware, on the
second day of June, nineteen hundred and
two, and lived with him as his wife until
about two years ago.
That the following children have been
born of the said marriage: Ralph B.
Bushman. fifteen years of age; Josephine
F. Bushman, thirteen years; Virginia L.
Bushman, twelve years; Leonore c. Bush
man, nine years; Frank B. Bushman,
seven years of age.
Ill
That she has been living with her chill
dren in Baltimore County Maryland, since
October. 1915 occupying a home and prop
erty purchased by the defendant at said
time known as "Bushmanor."
".
and for long time past has been engaged
with others in the production of moving
picture films for use in the various moving
picture parlOrs and theatres throughout the
United States and spends the greater part
of his time in the city of New York.
"
That after Mr. Bushman had purchased
the property in Baltimore County and had
therein for the first six months he came to
his home frequently for week-ends, but
after the lapse of said period his visits to
the home have been at irregular intervals
and frequently far apart.
VI.
That after her marriage to the defendant
at the time and place hereinbefOre stated
Mr.. and Mrs. Bushman lived together very
happily as husband and wife; that he was
earning a very small salary and Mrs. Bush
man worked and co-Operated in every way
in her power with him in the support of
the home and in the rearing of the chill
dren who were born to them as above
stated; that in recent years, however, Mr..
Bushman has gained prominence in his
profession and is now in the receipt of a
very large annual income. the exact
amount of which is unknown, but on in
formation and belief she charges that il
is not less than sixty TO seventy thousand
dollars per annum.
That for a long time past Mr.. Bushman
has shown the greatest Indifference toward
his wife and their children and has been
extremely cruel and brutal in his conduct
but she endured the neglect and endured
the insults which were continually heaped
L. L. NJ
That after the purchase Of "'Bushmanor"
however, and after she and the children
had been installed in the said property as
a place of residence. Mr.. Bushman became
mole and more brutal in language and in
conduct and rented a large and expensive
apartment in New York City and has con
tinued to reside there for the greater part
of the time, occupying the said apartment.
as your petitioner AYERS and charges. with
another.
That in spite of the conduct of the de-
PENDANT and in spite of his mode of living
he from time 10 time insisted upon coming
to "BushmanOr" and bringing with him
this person.
That Mrs. BushmIn objected to the
visits of the said person TO her home and
thereupon Mr.. Bushman became violently
enraged, used the most cruelty insulting
language toward his wife and repeatedly
threatened bodily violence upon her and
that she thereupOn left the room of the
defendant and thereafter has not lived with
him as his wife, but has DEVOTED her entire
time and attention TO the care and educa-
tiOn of her children and to the care and
management of her home. Mr.. Bushman
agreeing to pay TO his wife for her per
sonal use the sum of one hundred dollars
per week in addition 10 providing for all
expenses Of maintaining and carrying on
the home.
VIII
That while Mrs Bushman has at all
times behaved herself as an affectiOnate
and ChaSte wife and an affectiOnate and de-
voted mother the defendant has during the
last two years on his visits To Bush
manor subjected his wife TO the greatest
cruelty and brutality. publicly charging
her with infidelities, using the coarsest and
most brutal language. and not infrequently
making the charges in the presence Of ser
wants and employees about the house
That he has repeatedly forced himself
into her room and in loud and bOisterOus
manner threatened her with violence
charged her with the neglect of her chill
dren, the neglect of her home and with
the most disgraceful conduct, of all Of
which she was and is absolutely innocent
TX.
That, in spite Of his very large income
and in spite Of his obligations and prOrn-