The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-12
OPERA ITO JARS.
The TribuIatiOns OF an italian Opera
singer VINO has n BelltHerent and
murderOus Husband.


singer, VINO has a Bellt0erenG and
murderOus Husband.
The N. Y. 7eegrGm of yesterday afternoon
Yesterday there came before the Superior
Court the case of Agatha States VS.. William
W. States. IL is the old st0ry-love, marriage,
liquor. and divorce. Tits case, no weVer, d iffere
somewhat from the usual run, as the following
circumstances dlsclose:-rhe plaintiff is an
italian opera singer, though by birth an Ame
rlcan, and formerly belonged, with her two
sisters, to troupe known as the 'Pennsylva-
Mans" Early in the month of August, 1853,
she paid professional visit to San Fran
cisco. The defendant, William States, resided
there. Now, William had 10 days gone by been
an Industrious sea captain, and though not
elegant or refined ID appear ance, is said to have
struggled vgoi ousy for position in society.
William tell IN love, and well to-do strive.to
improvemyself sort of man, his proposal of
marriage was accepted by the plaintiff. The
happy union took place on the Gath August,
1859. half dozen years lifted by, agreeably
q good European harvest by her vocal abb llLy,
the plaintiff, accompanied by her husband,
started Tor London. Bnt VIII "had sort of
tipJling wav," and the bullion pouring into his
pouch without eXerliou on bis part. he thought
he would take it easy. He saw all the sights OF
Paris and Milan and other places where the
plaintiff was engaged. Whether laboring under
the impression that foreign liquor was more
palatable than the good old California beve.
RACES, is not exactly set forth, but it seems that
their cheapness brought out a relish that he
COulO DOL TeSlbC. 80 WILLIAM TOOK 10 the DOJLle
and became fond of 1t. Happiness fled like
hunted bare. Bickering became frequent, and
at last William brought matters to climax by
threatening to take the plaintiffs life, not by
throwing her overheard, bit by the simple pro-
cess of cutting her throat, go the COM
plainant says, and the plaintiff has sworn to it.
The complaint further shows that then and
there eSeo meaning, of course; some 1s,o,e tune
caught hold of her and pulled her
as he would have done a hawser, all the
while accompanying the exertion by some rare
old nautical verbiage, such as he would have
addressed to lubberiy seaman in q gale of
wind, winding up by striking her violently,
just as he would have treated his cabin-boy
who broke his dinner plate. Though hurri-
cane was brewing, Mr.: States dd not lay-to.
His wife, the gallant ship that had carried him
to fortune aud position, braved the storm. No
Hag OF distress was raised aloft. yet the captain
leaving her to confront the pillows OF frozen
seas. Bat the crew was saved, for her two
children clung closely to the deserted though
triumphant vessel, which quickly rose on the
tide OF operatic fame. A heightened engagement
compelled her again to visit this country, from
which che started under such favorable auspices.
1t is not strange that she should have encoun
tered Mr.. States IN this country. considering her
appearance on the stage. On one occasion
recently he met the plaintiff; he threated to
kill her, saying that she should have NO peace
OF her life, aud again attempted to strike her,
but was prevented from so doing. The COM
plant further shows thst she is and has been
compelled 10 nave some person In her company
at all times to protect her against the defendant;
that he has failed TO support her since their
riaee, but that she has depended upon her o gn
exertions TO support herself aud children; that
the Is now engaged 10 appear at The Academy of
Music TO night in the opera Of the S,citida Yes
pers. But Mr. States thinks differently, for
according to the complaint which prays for o
divorce, he has openly declared his intention to
seriously molest and interrupt her while on the
stage. Moreover, that recently, while plaintiff
was at the Academy, defendant threatened to
XIII stab her II she attempts to sing IN public
| Now comes the sequel. From the statements
| made 1t appears that the defendant has, on
| numerous occasions. become intoxicated, and
Is rather inclined to be so daily. Moreover,
| that he was committed to the Insane
| Asylums for Inebeates In various parts
of Europe. Relieving that the defendant would
| execute his threat, to her great modification
| aud the breaking up OF her engagement, she
| has commenced legal proceeding 10 arrest his
| progress. Mr.. james F. Morgan (Messrs. Fine
a. Morgan, counsel for the plaintiff, has applied
| to Judge McCunn for an injunction restraining
| the defendant from entering the Academy OF
Music ON any pretext. The Injunction was
| granted. So the interruption will scarcely take
place, nor will the coroDers services be brought
| into requisltion. Under all the circumstances
the States will probably become satisfactorily
| disunited, .r.