“Today was divorce day at the court house and a half a score of mismated couples were on hand to tell their troubles to Judge Milner.”
“Fannie Hughes sought a divorce from David Hughes, alleging willful absence. She is from Haverhill. Evidence showed that the couple never lived together after marriage. He married her to avoid paternity proceedings in 1898 and then skipped out. The case was continued for further evidence.”
“Jennie McKane, who wanted a divorce from John McKane, next told her troubles to the court. She charged John with neglect and abandonment, alleging that when he worked he spent his money for booze. He bought her a four cent calico dress and a pair of shoes during all of their married life. She said John beat her whenever he got drunk. She left him last September. Testimony of William Journey and wife, Mrs. Cole and Cy Jeffords was taken to show the good character of the woman. The decree was granted.”
“Margaret Hall next came into court asking for release from Orben Willard Hall. He is now in St. Clair county and when papers were served said that he was willing she should get a divorce. They were married at McDermott in 1898. She is employed at the home of Capt. JW Ricker as domestic and before that worked for Mike Noel on the Chillicothe pike. She was reared in the Children’s home in this county. Mrs. Hall said Willard had bought her $5 worth of clothes and $1 worth for the baby. He is now in the workhouse in Michigan for fighting about a woman. She said he deserted her and beat her at times.”
“Anna Colley, a buxom lass from Henry Springs, saw Hall hit his wife with a whitewash brush. Other witnesses gave her a good character. Mrs. John Davidson said she teased Mrs. Hall about the boys, but she knew of none of them visiting her, she said.”
“The case was passed for the present. TC Beatty, attorney.”
“Rachel Stephenson told her woes to the court, in an effort to secure a divorce from George Stephenson. They were married August third, 1899 and she averred that he has always failed to provide for her. Her maiden name was Rachel Devoss and she wants it back. He deserted her in July 1900. The girl is from Buena Vista. A number of persons gave the girl a good character. The case was taken under consideration.”
“Nancy E. Montgomery asked for divorce from Joshua Montgomery. They were married in Fleming county, Ky., in 1896 and she charged that Joshua left her in 1900 and took up with Ellen Brown, with whom he is now living. She said that he told her he loved Ellen Brown better than he did her and so would turn her picture to the wall. She is now doing housework for Chas. Bussey, on East Twelfth street. The court ordered a stenographer to take down the testimony with a view to having Joshua and Ellen indicted for adultery. The case was passed until the prosecutor could inquire into the adultery charge against Josh and Ellen.”
“The alimony case of Rose Zimmer against her husband Peter was next taken up. They were married on March 19, 1902 and he deserted her the following August. She is now working in Pittsburg. She wanted possession of the farm he owns on Brush Creek. The court gave her all the property during her life.”
“As soon as court convened this afternoon the case of Jennie S. Ayers against Charles Ayers was taken up. This was the only contested suit of the day. Ayers was in court and was represented by Attorney A. H. Bannon and Thomas. C. Beatty.”
“Mrs. Ayers charged neglect, cruelty, drunkenness and non-support. She is a nice looking woman and told her story plainly. She said he would leave her for days, and that he was a steady drinker. He would go down street every evening as soon as he got his supper. He was a McKay operator and would make about $14 a week. During the examination Attorney Bannon jabbed a sarcastic remark at Mr. Funk, who represented Mrs. Ayers and raised Funk to anger. He charged around despite the pounding of Judge Milner and had to be sharply called to order. Mrs. Ayers told of working herself in factories in this city, Cincinnati, Columbus and Akron, hiring a woman to take care of her two little children.”
“She came from Akron to Portsmouth on a visit and he wrote her a letter dated July 16, 1902, saying he was done with her forever. She then filed suit for divorce. She said he had only bought her one dress during their married life and that was a three cent lawn.1
