KinSource - Tale of the Week - Many Marital Miseries

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The St. Paul Daily Globe, September 16, 1888, page 2

Many Marital Miseries

Made Manifest in the District Court Proceedings.

Loved His Hired Girl.

Judge Brill Gives Relief to a Quartette Desirous of Sundering Matrimonial Bonds.

Yesterday was divorce day in the district court, and the temple of justice was completely crowded with the unfortunates, men and women who were seeking freedom from matrimonial bonds. There were fourteen cases on the calender, and the first case was not reached until 4 o'clock. Judge Brill dismissed those present save interested parties in the first three or four cases. The order fell like a pall on many who had been waiting for weeks to pour their grievances into the ear of the court.

The case of Elizabeth Mullen against John J. Mullen was the first called. The plaintiff gave her testimony in a straightforward manner, stating that her husband was a sewer contractor, but that he devoted little attention to his business, such was his unquestionable thirst for liquor. When under its influence he was abusive and often beat her.

Deputy Sheriff Lunkenheimer corroborated Mrs. Mullen's story as far as her husband's drinking propensities were concerned. He was full all the time and spent a great deal of his time

KNOCKING AROUND THE STREETS.

Witness took Mrs. Mullen to the insane asylum a few months after her marriage. A decree of divorce was granted, the defendant failing to appear.

The next case called was that of Isaac Katz against Ida Katz. The plaintiff, Isaac Katz, testified that he was married in St. Paul and lived with his wife for three years. The issue of the marriage was a girl, Freda, now about two years and a half old. His wife never staid at home and he frequently saw her walking with Joseph Scheirman on Ohio street as late as 11 o'clock at night. She left him last fall and he did not know where she was now. She took the child with her, but afterwards returned it.

Maurice Spitta testified on behalf of the plaintiff. He had often seen Mrs. Katz and Scheirman together. Together with Katz he watched their movements for three nights, but saw nothing wrong. The night of July 24 they were together on the corner of Robert and Fourth streets. He watched and saw them enter the building 35 Robert street, whither he followed. They went up stairs, and shortly afterwards he entered the room where Mrs. Katz and Scheirman were. He found them

IN BED TOGETHER.

Judge Brill granted the divorce and gave the care of the child to the plaintiff.

The third case was that of Florentina Nowiska vs. Thomas Nowiska. When Mrs. Nowiska was called an elderly woman with an old-fashioned purple dress and a little white crochetted wrap thrown over her shoulders, responded. She said she was Polish, but could speak German, and Deputy Lunkenheimer interpreted for her. She was married Oct. 29, 1883, and her husband was a shoemaker. He got drunk and spent everything he earned, and nearly all that she earned. At one time he struck her and pulled a knife on her. For this he was arrested, and got thirty days. They lived together four years and a half, when last May he left her.

Joseph Kallas, a typical Teuton, was called, and gave his testimony in broken German. When asked what he knew about the case, he threw himself back in his chair and turning to the court said, in a patronizing manner: "Vell, you see, shudge, dot young fellar vas spoilt by de old lady. He trunk already sometimes pretty often, and cot to be a bet man." The judge excused him, and as the defendant didn't show up, Mrs. Nowiska was given her divorce.

The fourth and last case called was that of Augusta Adamm against Frederick Adamm. Mrs. Adamm, a hard working, honest appearing German lady, about forty years of age, was the only witness. She was married to defendant March, 1877, in Germany. She knew Carolina Adamm six years ago. Carolina came to work at their house while the plaintiff was living in Dakota county. While there Carolina was taken sick. Her husband slept with this girl four or five times during the months of June and August, 1887. The girl remained at the house, but Mr. Adamm left Aug. 28 and went to his relatives, who lived on the Dodd road. Eight days later he came back and got the girl. They went away to his brother's house. They lived there four days and then went to the house of the girl's parents, where they lived all winter. Afterwards they went to Milwaukee, where the girl became pregnant. She believed defendant had a child by her. When she spoke to Adamm about his improper relations with this girl he became angry and struck her. The court granted the decree without calling other witnesses.