Divorces D - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Filed away in the county clerk’s office are the papers in the most important divorce case ever brought in a Montgomery County court. The parties to the case are Amanda Davis vs. James Davis, commonly known as “Swarrin’ Jim.” The Davis’ reside near Brownsvalley on a fine farm, with a large family of blooming daughters, and to an ordinary observer “it does look as if they ought to get along.” However, the domestic relations are and have been for several years decidedly unpleasant, so much so in fact that Mrs. Davis prays for relief through her attorneys, Crane & Anderson in the following complaint: that she was married to the defendant on the 27th of January, 1869, and lived together as husband and wife until December, 1891, when she was compelled by reason of the cruel and inhuman treatment of her by the defendant, to separate herself from him. She claims that during the winter of 90-91, in the presence of her children, her husband without any cause whatever rudely seized her by the throat, struck her with his hand and cursed and abused her. That at divers time he has cursed and abused her in the presence of their children and has often struck and threatened to do her bodily injury. That his treatment has been growing worse and his attacks upon her more frequent, until she is no longer able to endure it. That she has patiently suffered this treatment for more than 10 years hoping that his conduct would change and that he would cease his cruel treatment, but on the 26th day of December, 1891, he again cursed and abused her, and picking up a chair threatened to striker her with it, in the presence of their children. On the said day they separated and have since lived apart. Plaintiff and defendants have as the fruits of their marriage the following children: Elizabeth Davis, Kitty Allen Davis, Rebecca Ann Davis and Mary Jane Davis. Plaintiff avers that her husband is a person of violent and uncontrollable temper and is not a fit person to have the care and custody of the children who are all girls going to school and require the care and supervision of the mother. Also that the defendant is the owner of real estate of the value of $20,000 and real estate in Iowa of the value of $40,000 and of personal property of the value of $5,000. That a large part of the property has been accumulated since her marriage and by the joint efforts of both; that she has been a true dutiful wife and has performed all her marital duties toward her husband. Whereupon she asks the court that the bonds of matrimony existing between them be dissolved and that she be granted the custody of the children and receive $40,000 alimony and $300 per year for the support of each of her children. The defendant has employed GW Paul as counsel and will probably fight the case. - kbz
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Bertha M. Davis sues for a divorce from Will A. Davis in the circuit court. Mr. Davis is engaged in the livery business here. As the filing case in the clerk’s office has no asbestos lining, the hot complaint has been taken by the attorneys and locked up in a fire proof safe somewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been seriously at outs for some time and the filing of the application for divorce was not unexpected.

Source: Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana Weekly Argus News, Nov 6, 1897 p 6

The court has granted to Omer and Grace Dean the privilege of trotting in a single harness again. The suit was brought by Omer and in his complain Grace was charged with all sorts of violations of the matrimonial code. Mrs. Dean did not remain quiet however but came to the front with a sizzling cross complaint and it was upon this the case was tried. Omer was accused of flirting with other women, of staying out late of nights and of communing with the flowing bowl at considerable length. Having heard the evidence the court granted Grace the divorce but overlooked her demand for $500 alimony. - kbz
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Tuesday morning in the- circuit court Mrs. Maggie Dewey entered suit for divorce from Howard A. Dewey. She alleges that he would not provide for her and obliged her to live with his people where she was forced to do the washing and other menial work. She alleges further that she was ordered about there by his relatives and finally told to get out and leave, advice which she followed last October. She asks for $500 alimony.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 10 April 1896 p 6

Avarella Dill has filed suit for divorce from Edwin S. Dill, alleging cruel and inhuman treatment. Edwin is pictures as a social ig and a domestic drone. Considerable interest will attach to this case as the Dills are the people who sued Alfred Pearce and the Fist National Bank to recover funds lost in wheat speculation.  As that matter is not yet out of court the suit for divorce is likely to give origin to some queer legal complications.

John LR Disher vs. Eliza Disher, divorce.  Plaintiff granted the same.

  For a second time within a brief space of a year, John L. Disher is an applicant for a divorce.  John was divorced from Mrs. Elizabeth Disher last February.  In March, while the chilling winds were blowing from the northern ice bound realm, Cupid in his seal skin coat and sable boa, found that John's heart was again throbbing with the pangs of love.  He again patched an arrow and John fell a victim to love's caprice and led a new wife by the name of Harriet to the altar.  That was on March 7, 1897.  John, who left his newly acquired love on August 8th of the year, now comes forth with a tale replete with pathos and razors.  Harriet, according to his story, has not been a dutiful wife.  She, the complaint states, abused him; accused him of infidelity to his marriage vows and on one occasion threatened to make an aperture in his hot air shaft with a razor.  This was connubial bliss with a vengeance and John ain't used to it, so he left home.  John now comes forth and asks for an absolute divorce.

Matt Doherty was on Saturday, granted a divorce form Laura M. Doherty and giving him the custody of the two children resulting from the marriage. - thanks Kim H
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Carrie E. Dooley of Waveland has instituted suit for divorce from William Dooley. She charges adultery and names Julia Wood of Dennison, Ill as correspondent, alleging her husband is now living with that woman. The Dooleys were marriedi n 1889 and separated in 1902, the plaintiff alleging that her husband's relations with a servant had become unbearable. There are two children, Avelin, aged 17 and Max, aged 15. Mrs. Dooley asks for the care and custody of these. - typed by kbz
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Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier  3 Dec 1934 p 10

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 9-20-1895 p 8

Nancy Duckworth filed suit for divorce from Ed Duckworth, the defaulting postman, charging immorality, drunkeness and desertion - kbz
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DUNBAR, Nancy - Chauncy
Source: Weekly Argus News, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana Jan 13, 1894 p 5

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