The national Republican., 1861-11-21
The Barney Divorce Cass''-- mother
mitted for Contempt

The "Barney Divorce Cass"-- &no,her
mttted for Contempt
Shortly after the Orphans Court had met
yesterday morning, and before Col. BlOunt had
resumed his argument commenced on the
previous day, another one Of those " scenes"
for which this trial seems to have been pro-
verbal, occurred. From the statement Of
sworn witnesses, II appears that Mr.. De Kraft,
VINO Is conducting this case on behalf of the
deceased Mrs. Barney, was sitting at one of the
came into the room, the eldest (Chase) passing
and taking seat q few feet beyond Mr.. De
Kraft, whilst the youngest, (Eddie,) paused Ms
he came opposite Mr.. De Krxht, a. II to inquire
for n scat, when the latter held out his hand, as
ifabout to show him one. Just at this moment
Mr.. Barney, who had been sitting some Ave or
NIX yards IN the right Of Mr.. De K, suddenly
rose from his seat, and exclaimng that " 1t was
his child, and he (De Ky should not have him .
rushed towards the child, and endeavored to
pull him away from Mr.. De X. The latter rose
from his seat vt the same moment, and brief
struggle ensued between the two for the pos.
session Of the child.
Judge Purcell, who had not obseryed the
hrst part OF the movement, as soon rs he caught
sight OF tho parties, at once ordered both to
resume their seats, which order was at once
obeyed by Mr De X. the other remaining in 4
menAoing attitude. In n few moments, however,
order was again restored, when Judge Purcell
remarked that this disorder in court had now
gone aboutfar enough, and he intended to make
An example Of whoever might prove to be the
gu,lty party IN this instance Not having been
witness of the entire transaction, he should
call on all present who had Witnessed the affair
TO come forward and testify rs to what they
mad seen. This order was responded to very
reluctantly by most OF those present, they not
desiring to testify either for or against either
party. The evidence Of some seven or eight
witnesses was taken, however, and resulted
substantially rs we have stated above.
The court then, after commenting with great
severity upon the many occasions in which Mr..
Barney had allowed his temper to get the bet.
ter OF him, aud to engage In these scenes unbe
cunning the dignity of the court, ordered him
TO be put into the custody Of the Marshal of
this District, and detained by him for the space
of six hours.
During the delivery Of the remarks of Judge
Purcell, Mr.. Barney stated that no disrespect
10 the court had been intended In anything he
had done.
Mr.. Barney then left the courtroom in
charge of the bailitf, and followed by his m other
and little Eddie. Upon being placed in charge
OF the Deputy Marshal, he was removed 10 .he
Col. Blount then proceeded with his closing
argument In the case. After recountng some
of the main features Of the testimony Of Alex.
andrine Parfait, which, he contended, showed
that M. barney had been guilty of the crosses,
brutality, he went on to show that the only
witnesses who had endeavored to impeach tha,
testimony were those who themselves had n
direct personal interest in the result of the
suit. He was firmly convinced that the evi
dence was unimpeachable.
He next referred to the charge Of infdslitv
which had been made by the respondent against
his wife, and said that the charge, coming from
such source, stamped It's promulgator MS
the charge, he should have been the last one
to proclaim his wife's dishonor to the world;
and II he really believed the charge he made.
II was only another reason why he should not
be placed in charge OF the children. Rut II WAS
not true. 1t was false. and Mr.. B. knew It TO be
so; for while the divorce oase was pending he.
fore the Iowa court, Mr.. B. had stated to per.
son now In court, and who WAS ready to testify
to the fact, that he had no doubt whatever of
his wife's chastity. 1fthe speaker were allow
ed by tho court, he would bring proof to show
tha;, on one occasion, when the party with
whom it was alleged this iii cit inte roourse had
been carried on, WAS on 4 drunken froc with
Mr.. Barney himself. when he wrote letter 10
Mrs. B., such rs u lover might be supposed TO
write to the lady Of whom he was enamored
and that this letter WAS received by Mrs. B
when she was In company with two other ladies;
that she became much enraged thereat, ana
gave 1t 10 them to read; but that finally, regard
ing the matter only as joke, she laughed II
of; that Mr.. Barney pretended to be very
angry about 1t, and the individual who wrote
the letter made most abjeot apology, and the
The speaker had much faith in true repent.
ance: but no did MOI believe that Mr.. B. had
exhibited any such repentance. The proper
manner in which certain witnesses had alleged
he had con tucted himself during the past
eighteen months did not 60 to prove II. He had
an object In view In being thus careful during
that time. They had evidence during the prog.
ress OF this investigation to show that he would
not be proper guardian for these children.
For these reasons, and others which he emu.
merated, he held that Mr.. Barney WAS unht 70
be the custodian Of the children or of their
property.
Upon the conclusion of Col Blount's argu.
ment, Judge Purcell remarked that he would
consider the case in all its bearings, carefully
examining both the law and the testimony, and
give his decision ut as early day Ne possible.
subsequently, Col. Blount stated that he de-
sired the court to do something for the prntec.
tion of little Eddie, who, he said, had been
very harshly dealt with by his father within the
past twenty four hours. The court promised
TO furnish all the protection needed, and the
subject was dropped.
More Arrests In the Cole Case.
John Logan and Anthony Thomas, both col.
Ored, we're Yesterday arrested by Ron pdsm n N