Hirt, Alfred vs. wife - Putnam

The rumor of the past few days that Alfred Hirt and wife were on the point of separation was confirmed yesterday when Mrs. Hirt came to town and is at present staying with the family of Louis Steeg on Franklin Street.  Many confliction reports are afloat regarding the unfortunate affair and a Sun representative called on Mr. Hirt at his residence west of the city this morning for the purposes of giving his side of the story to the public.  He refused to say anything for publication and referred the reporter to his attorney, Tarvin C. Grooms.  Mr. Hirt is confined to his room by sickness, laboring under a very severe attack of lagrippe, and perhaps hi strange actions of yesterday may partly be attributed to his disposition.  When seen by the report at Mr. Steeg’s residence Mrs. Hirt was also indisposed and resting on a lounge and evidently suffering from severe mental distress over the occurrence of yesterday.  Her statement was as follows: “We were married on Thanksgiving day and for a month my husband treated me kindly.  The first trouble we had occurred on or about New Years.”  “Will you tell me what occasioned it?  “No, I don’t care to do so, I forgave him and we agreed to forget it but he continually found fault with me about trivial household matters, some of his complaints being ridiculously silly.  He has a bad temper. The trouble yesterday was caused by is demanding that I return the diamonds he had presented me.  He caught me by the throat and hair and pulled me around the room and bumped my head against a door-casing.  “Was there no one within hearing to come to your assistance?”

“His daughters were present but could do nothing with him but could do nothing with him.  They screamed for help as loud as they could.  He was furious with excitement and anger and cried out as he hauled me about “Give me my diamonds!  Give me my diamonds!”  I tried to uphold my right for the diamonds were mine and no one had a right to take them from me, but I didn’t want to be killed and said, “Oh, wait, wait and I will give them to you!  As soon as I recovered my breath, I did so.  I then ran out of the house and started uptown.  He ran out and called for me to come back.  He told me to leave a week ago last Sunday.  I ran on and on, praying and I went and the blood running from my nose.  I was hysterical and screamed as I went.  A man would not have cried, but a woman is only a woman.  Mr. Thomas Hammond came out and took me into his residence and Mr. Steeg came over and offered me his home.  Mrs. Hirt was Miss Pauline Getz of New York and her father is a wealthy brewer of that city.  The family is prominent socially.  He is expected here tonight in response to a telegram.  Silas A. Hays is her attorney.   ~~~Transcribed and Typed by kbz

The separation of Mr. Hirt and his wife is still the reigning topic of conversation on the streets.  All of the parties connected with the affair refuse to reveal anything of the later developments.  Mr. Girtz, the lady’s father went out to Mr. Hirt’s residence yesterday and again this morning but no adjustment of the trouble was effected.  The husband was reluctant to talk of the matter at all and said, “I will give her $50 to pay her expenses to New York where she can remain two months and then return and be a dutiful wife.  Mr. Girtz returned to New York this evening.  ~~~Transcribed and Typed by kbz