The Vanishing Husband and the Ticket to Honolulu

WHY ABRAHAMS LEFT

Mrs. Minnie Jean Abrahams says her husband planned to get rid of her.

The story of the disappearance of Abrahams from this city last November promises to come out in the trial of the divorce suit begun in the superior court by Abrahams against Minnie Jean Abrahams. In an affidavit filed yesterday the wife sets out the details of a transaction amounting to a conspiracy to put her out of the state in order that her husband might secure a legal divorce and be free to form whatever new alliance he might choose. Kate Hamilton, employed as a servant in the Abrahams household, was, she alleges, a performer in the deep-laid scheme.

Mrs. Abrahams, who is now 27 years old, says that during the first part of her married life her husband frequently borrowed money from her until she had saved up $12,000 and placed it in bank. Her husband borrowed the money and invested it in the business of the Abrahams Grocery Company, informing her that she should have credit therein. She bought a home in Georgetown and the couple resided there. Abrahams, she says, frequently informed her that he had a bank account in San Francisco and that his business was prosperous.

Early in November, 1894, she says, Abrahams, without cause, became angry and remained away from home two weeks. When his wife attempted to ask what the matter was, he grew angry, abused her and called her many vile names. A day or two later, after saying he would no longer live with her, he left between two days, concealing his whereabouts from her and his creditors.

Before he went away, however, Mrs. Abrahams says, he went to the house during her absence and got small articles of wearing apparel, including a K. of P. badge, and there told Kate Hamilton, the servant girl, as Mrs. Abrahams was informed, that he was compelled to leave because his financial affairs were in such shape that he could not face his creditors; that he intended to start anew in a new country; that he regretted his harsh language; that he had enough money to live respectably in a new country, and when settled would send for his wife; that in the meantime, as he did not dare let his creditors know where he was, he would write to Miss Hamilton, and through her would communicate with Mrs. Abrahams; and that he had instructed the servant girl to tell Mrs. Abrahams to come to him when he should find a location.

The above statements, Mrs. Abrahams says, outline a deep-laid conspiracy to get her away from the country and out of the jurisdiction of the court, and to take all her household goods and other property which she had collected and owned. But at that time she believed the representations to be sincere and endeavored to carry out her husband's wishes as conveyed to her by the servant girl.

In the course of ten days, Mrs. Abrahams says, Hamilton received a letter from the man, in which he said he had concluded to go to Honolulu, and that his wife should join him in San Francisco in time to sail January 10. Mrs. Abrahams at once made preparations and sold her house and household goods and furniture and the equity in her home, receiving a net sum after paying small bills. Mrs. Abrahams then gave Miss Hamilton $120, of which she used part for a ticket to Honolulu.

Two other letters came to the girl, Abrahams giving explicit instructions how his wife should proceed. He stipulated that he was then living in Honolulu under the assumed name of Abraham Phillips, and that it would be necessary for her to change her name correspondingly in order to join him and avoid detection. Two boxes and a trunk, containing family pictures, clothing and other property, were packed and taken charge of by the servant girl, who afterward, it is said, presented to Mrs. Abrahams a bill of lading showing on its face, under date November 20, 1894, that it had been signed by the agent of the steamship company, and the consignee was named as Abraham Phillips, Honolulu. The bill of lading Mrs. Abrahams now finds was forged, but at the time she believed it genuine, and she delivered to Miss Hamilton the trunk to be shipped. The servant girl also packed Mrs. Abrahams' night dresses and other clothing.

Mrs. Abrahams arrived at San Francisco January 2, followed the directions she had been given, and at the appointed place asked for the name of Abraham Phillips, but no one came for her. She learned that the steamer would sail January 12, and on that day she received the following note: 'A package will be left for you. A. PHILLIPS.' The package referred to was a bundle of clothes and a Seattle newspaper. The letter 'A' was signed by Abrahams. In accordance with previous directions Mrs. Abrahams went on board the steamer, remaining there unobserved. Every effort was made to find her husband, but she could find no trace of him on the vessel. When the steamer reached Honolulu she found that he had not arrived, and she discovered that the trunk and boxes, which Kate Hamilton had promised to ship, had never been sent. Mrs. Abrahams had no money and no friends there. The outcome was that she remained in Honolulu two months, unable to get away, and finally managed to return to this city.

She says that the two had gone to the dock and secured a part of the trunks and merchandise Mrs. Abrahams had bought, and that the rest was shipped to Honolulu. She had been obliged to employ Hamilton to get some of the goods, which were held at San Francisco.

Mrs. Abrahams sold her home and did not receive the full purchase price; a balance remained unpaid. Abrahams, she says, told Kendall that he had some interest in the property by reason of Abrahams not having executed a quitclaim deed to the property, and Kendall now refuses to pay or execute a quitclaim deed, and Abrahams refuses to do so unless he is paid. She enumerates other acts by which, she says, he has attempted to defraud her.

The material statements of Mrs. Abrahams' affidavit in reference to her leaving the country and to the Hamilton woman are backed up by an affidavit of Fredericka Ebbinghouse. An order was secured from Judge Humes restraining Abrahams from collecting any money due him and from disposing of his property. She also asks for alimony for three months, $150 for the repair of her wardrobe, $100 to procure the attendance of witnesses, $200 for counsel fees, and for an injunction restraining him from interfering with her or her child. The case on these latter points will be heard next Wednesday.

The divorce proceedings were brought by Abrahams about the middle of January, at the time his wife was sailing away over the seas to Hawaii.