Bertha Jarvis Wants Out

Bertha Jarvis yesterday brought an action for divorce against Peter Jarvis, alleging cruel and inhuman treatment. The couple were married at Renton, August 21, 1885, the plaintiff having previously been a resident of Whatcom and the widow of Adolph Buchholz, by whom she had five children.

Mrs. Jarvis says that shortly after the marriage her second husband commenced to inflict upon her numerous and outrageous personal indignities, which have continued down to the present, and that he has frequently used toward her abusive, profane and obscene epithets; that on more than one occasion he applied the same epithets to her daughter Olga, and at another time called her son William a 'blockhead.' At meal times, the plaintiff alleges, her spouse was accustomed to act and talk most vilely and offensively, and would throw food at the children and cram it down their throats when they did not like to eat it. Once, she says, he threatened to stab her son Herman with a pitchfork, and in consequence of harsh treatment her older children were driven away from her home.

She also alleges that in 1892 he took Arthur, then about 2 years old, when she was far advanced in pregnancy, swung him in the air and threw him against her face, terrifying her so greatly as to endanger her life. At another time he kicked and lamed her on the leg; at another he threw her down; and at all times he has done enough to make her life miserable and to prevent the children from being decent, respectable and moral. She further complains that Jarvis has refused to make suitable provision for her and family, although he is amply able to do so, and by reason of his whims she has been compelled to sew, make butter and sell berries in order to attain a livelihood.

Jarvis is said to own 143.27 acres in section 22, township 23 north, range 6 east, worth $18,000, together with livestock, tools and implements. Since their marriage the parties have acquired as community property two adjoining parcels where they now live, in the L. M. Collins donation claim, worth $1,200; lots 5 and 6 in block 1 of Lester's Second addition to the city of Seattle, worth $400; and lots 13 to 18 in block 1 of South Park addition to Port Crescent, valued at $50.

About August 28, 1894, Mrs. Jarvis says her husband abandoned her and announced his intention to sell the farm, and she has every reason to believe he will cease to furnish any assistance in the support of herself and family. She therefore asks for a decree of divorce and a division of property, and for a restraining order to prevent him from disposing of the property or from visiting or molesting the children during the suit. Judge Humes signed the restraining order.

Mrs. Jarvis's children by her first husband are Ida, Herman, Oscar, Olga and William; by the second husband, Paul, aged 8, Arthur, 5, and a son aged 3. All the children are now at home except Ida, who is married.