The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-12-01 00:00:00

A DIVORCED WIFE-AN EXCEEDINGLY

PAINFUL CASE.

At the Marylebone police-court, in London, a well-
dressA woman, who gave her name as Jessie
Wheatley, aged 41, of Walmer-atreet, Marylebone,
married woman, was charged with unlawfully ringing
the door bell of 68. Kensington-Lardens square, the
residence of Major-General St. John. The prisoner,
who sobbed greatly, was allowed to be seated.
Major-General Pt. John said I charge this put.mi with
coming to my house and ringing the door bell. On my ser-
vant going to the door and seeing her he told her my orders
were not to admit her on any pretence whatever Sh., then
rang the bell more violently than ever. In explanation of
this I may say that I was divorced from my wife in 1861
Mr Arnold (the sitting magistrate): She was your wife,
then I—The General Yes, Su. I have now no wish to harm
her. Since she has been divorced she has married • person
earned Wheatley —The prisoner denied this.
Toe General I believe it to be so, as I have seen the
certificate . .

ooe of the summoning officers of the court, sald : She has
a summons out new against the man Wheatley, who she
laid when she made the application was her husband
The Magi 4rate : Ilas this annoyance been frequent ?—The
General, Not lately ; not within the past two months. If
you can let her go now, I will not press the case.
Prisoner : lam without clothes, food, or money. lam
living in a small court at the back of the "Yorkshire Stingo."
have been here for advice, and I was told by Mr. Mansfield
that, tinder my peculiar circumstances, I cannot me or be
sued in any court. Oh, how I long to see my dear children
111 could, I would go out of the country to-morrow. My
sin children

General

117thg

.... .
The Magistrate: You had better be silent. Ido not want
to know the cause of the divorce This, ino place to inquire
into it or &public exposure of it to be made. If there is no
especial restriction and you ao In a proper manner, I have
no doubt you will he allowed to see them Prisoner : Sir, to.
day I only took a letter to my daughter to tell her I was
without money or food. If the General will allow me the
motley again which he allowed me for four year., I will not
go 11-ar the house. Toe Maghttate You have no right to
go there, and by so doing you have rendered yourself liable
to a per.alty of gat Will you promise not to go there again?
Prisoner Sir, if I saw my children In the street I must rush
to them.

Mr, Stan,ey (Chief Usher): She has sworn upon her infor-
mation Ur the summons that Wheatley was her husband.
The Magistrate Have you been married to him ?—Pri-
loner : Yes, iwan married to him In Deanatreet, Soho. I am
now told by the French Ambassador that the marriage was
not legal for two resons—nrst, be being a Frenchman and a
Catholic, and I a Protestant and, again, because they put
me down as a widow, and not a divorce! woman.
The Sisgiatree I canunt go into that What I have to
ask von now Is whether you will faithfully promise not to
annoy this gentleman again. You phios yourself Ire
jeopardy by your conduct. You have no right to go to his
house or annoy him in any way If you promise me this
much I will discharge you —Prisoner i have been told that
my children are never more to see me, and I am only tome
them at their death .

The Magistrate: I don't know the matters of your divorce,
but I dare say the judge who heard the case knew well who
was the proper peram to have charge of them
The General: I might add that the children ere of Boni-
dent age to know what pasaed They say they will not see
her again. They positively assert they will not
The l'risoner: Some people have poirmed the General's
and the children's mind against me My divorce was not
properly conducted, and icy proctor was bought over for
101. They have made me out profligate, but I am not
Four times have I been in the workhotue. What am I
to do?
The Magistrate: I must tell you that you are being dealt
with very leniently. If you will promise not to annoy again
you will be discharged.
Prisoner said she would promise, and she was die.
charged.