New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-21
THE GREAT DIVORCE CASE IN CHI
CAGO.


bly be decided within the course Of the next fortnight
The high social and political standing Of the parties m
this suit and their relatives and friends well as that
of the individuals who viii be implicated during its
trial have caused much more attention and interest TO
be excited concerning the case than usually given to
suits for divorce. As you are aware, the plaintiff in
thissut Isaac H. Burch ESQ., is of the most wealthy
and prominent citizens Of Chicago. He is the
owner of the bank known the Bank OF l. II. Burch
g. Co., which is looked upon as one OF the soundest
institutions in the State possessed of very consider
able capital, and doing an extensive and lucrative
business.
Mr. Burch for many years has occupied prominent
position in one Of the most art0crac churches IN the
city that of whch the Rev DIR. Patterson Is the pas
tor and is known and beloved all the city for his
oonsa acts of benevolence and Christian charity As
banker the reputation of Mr. Burch is unsulied, and
his bank has outrdden in safety all the pancs and re-
verses which have proved too much for the standing OF
many of our monied institutions. His residence is a
beautiful mansion on Michigan avenue, and for many
years past he has devoted large sums Of money to the
work of filing his house with aSeles OF beauty and
taste and IN making his home the seat OF refined and
elegant enjoyments.
On the 18th Of MAY, lS4s, Mr.. Burch married, in
Albany, New-York, young, accomplished, and hand
some lady, the daughter, by adoption, OF Erastus
Corning esq. There have been but few unions which
promised 90 much happiness as this; but there have
been few which have been productive OF 30 much
misery. Removing with his young wife to this city,
Mr. Burch entered upon that career of industry and
integrity which has won for him 30 high position in
this community. His wife became equally favorte
with himself, and by her upassumng manners, her
devotion to her household duties and her general alta
bty and kindness of heart, Seemed to merit the popu-
larity which she speedily attained; Two children
were born 10 this couple-MaFy W. Burch, named for
her mother, and now about III years OF age, and
Harriet Corning BuIch, an infant Of one year and
eight months.
There resides in this city prominent lawyer and
"A AfuCrf Mr. ri xUQQ
originally from Michigan Of which State he was once
Congressman For several years past he has held an
Attorney ship for two Of the railroads running out OF
this city, and is beside in the emf 1yment of large and
lucrative criminal and civil practice, particularly In the
Recorders Court of Chicago before which tribunal he
was famed for his succeEs in defending criminals. Mr.
Stuart is married. and has large family OF children.
He has always sustained the character of gallant aud
rake and more than one family in Chicago lie said to
lay at his door the ruin Of its domestic peace AT some
period prior to the month of October, 1851 Mr. Stuart
became intimate acquaintance and visitor at the
residence of MIR. Burch, and as will be seen by the bill
which copied below is accused OF having on the l4h
day of the nth named, succeeded in seducng Mrs.
BuIch, end commit ing adultery with her. The con-
nection thus formed continued until the 18th OF January
last, when Mr.. Burch discovered that his honor had
been sacrificed and that HE wife had proved false to
her marriage vow.
The intelligence of this deplorable affair fell like
thunder bolt IN this community, and the steps which
have been subsequently taken have not served 10 aay
In the least the excitement fret produced. Mrs Burch
Immediately after her husband had discovered her fall
left Chicago for the home of her adopted father in AL
bany where che has since remained. She appears TO
have impressed her friends there with the belief that
che was more sinned against than shining, and MIR.
Corning announced his intention Of resisting TO the ut
most all the efforts which the husband might make to
obtain divorce and il s understood that 1t le due to
his eXeTiODe that decree OF divorce has not already
been obtained. The most extraordinary statements In
relation to Mr.. Burch have from time TO time appeared
in the Eastern papers, and have served to give dis
ored appearance TO transactions which, when viewed
in their proper light only reflect honor and credit upon
Mr.. i.
It was stated with an entire absence Of TRUTH that
Mr. Burch had extorted by threats and intimdations
and by promises OF pardon made only to be broken,
confession Of guilt from bis wife; that he had then
driven her ANONYMOUSLY from her home, and had
since occupied himself in picking her name from his
household IneD and oblitersting 1t from his family
plate. Again, it was announced that Mr.. Burch had
parooned bis guilty wife, and about TO take her TO
his bosom and another caRGrd appeared to the effect
that Mr. Burchs character would not bear nvesti-
CATION and that finding he could not come into Court
with clean hands, he had withdrawn his petition for
divorce and ha0 COL sented TO q separation from his
wife on terms honorable TO her but dsgracsfo 10 him.
self These reports found hte if any credence here
where Mr. Burcb is too well known TO be lightly i'm.
puend but in other quarters they may have produced
effect, and should be contradlcted.
Mr.. Burch has steadily pursued his original inten-
ton Of obtaining the only reparaton TO his cruel
wrongs which society aud the law afford man thus
betrayed by one who fhould be the most jealous
todisp of hrs honor and, having withdrawn HE first
bill Of complaint for the purpose of amending and
simplifying it, yesterday filed the bill of which q copy
il given below, and the rule for which ne prayed
Issued accordingly.
Mr.. Corning stll continues in his original determ-
nation 70 oppose the divorce, and for some time past
hes been engaged in scattering money with lavish
hand in this community for the purpose Of procuring
evidence against Mr. Bnrch IL is to be remarked that
the frerd Of Mrs Burch 90 moi labor TO prove her in
krfn fiua tfa1r To oft IN
prove Mr.. Birch guilty. The rule on Mrs BuTch hav
ing ued an viii be filed in few days, and
the cause will then be tired. The lawyers employed
by Mr. Burcb are Messrs. Thomas A. HayDe, and his
partner MIR. Miller, two gentlemen in the trout rank
Of the Illinois bar; while Mrs. Burch has retained the
services of the eminent counsel, Dir. Beckwith
il will be observed in Mr.. Burchs bill Of complaint
that he alleges number Of acts of adultery as well in
this city 10 other places aud with other parties be-
side Nr. Stuart. The amended bill is 81 follows:
10 The HIM. George Mansy udge Of ne CireuCO Of Cook
Baby Completing howetE your orator Isaac H. Burch Of
the city Of Chioso County Of Cook and State Of Illinois and
DAY o. Nay ~ he year i5 your oisol mteIni,ed with tae
ssd MARY w Bu en- IN the city snd county Of Albany IN the
Mary W BuIch t such period until shortly before the pres
SAINT lime her hUsbsnd.hat Immediately alter such inern4
time Of such removed your orator and the said Mary w have
bes1 and at the time and times Of the commission Of the ed
ery hereinafter yet FORTH they and Inhabitants Of
S residents In this state end orator further shows that
during this intermssge with the said Mary W.. shs had
child by your orStobot whom are nov living viz:
Mary w Buch, who is Of the Of years months
and Harriet Corning Bueh who Of the age year and
echt months.
AND your further shows That be a. informed and be-
Bsvs and charges the tuh TO be- that the said Mary W. dre
gArding the soeny Of the marriage since the
mage Of your with her nutod adultery AZ divers
Dces and especially that tne said Mary w about the
18th cay Of October in the year 1885, in the City Of Chicago In
The County Cook IN the State Of Illinois cid adultery
have connection with David Stuart and yom
a.or by way q amendment further shows that he informed
and y believes and he charges the truth be- that the said
Mary W. day osys during the months Of February
March April May and June In the last afoeshd but
what Day or days In particular your orator IA Ignorant d3 com
nt sduefy and CANAL connection with tho said David
Stuart the d City Of Chicago In the County OF Cook soe
ssfd.