The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-17
A LIFE CHAPTER.
How a Drunken Husband Took Care of n Dyin
Ntfe.


The Chicago Republican Of Nov. Ii mas the follow
ing painful narrattve:-
In the year 1851 it would appear that there was
united IN the courts OF matrimOny William Ellls anu
Dora Skelton. From that time until the death OF
Mrs Ellis, on the 2sth of September last, 1t is not
known that any event occurred to create any trOu-
BILE in the family, such required or deserved pup
lie comment During all this time the husband auu
wife continued to live together and there born
unto them several children These children, by tner
next friend have just caused petition 10 pe nieu III
the Superior Court, asking the appolI,uei&IS , 49, vi
guardian to take charge of them, on the ground
that their father is man OF sucn lni1loIl
habits as to render him an unit instructor anu pro,
tector The petitioners are Harriet, Edgar, anu
Robert N Ellis, they being the only living cnlluren
except a boy aged 10 years. These petltlonerS re-
erandmother, Esther SktoD, but that they are sub
feet TO the father who proposes soon TO remove them
to his more immediate custody III IS lurther repre-
sented that the father is addicted the excessive
use ofintoxicatng drink, and is seldom entirely free
from the effects of il. He is also guilty of ne
glect in providing for the wants of his children,
and in giving them moral training or instruction;
doeS n3G alow oie @ o w ,'nu ib iih SSoos
and cruelty. He is also charged with being guilty of
using profane and Indecent language to such an ex
tent that the Youngsters can swear quite pr)cicnJy
already, and that he is utterly devoted to his habits
OF dissipation and ever since the birth OF the first
chd in 1859, his wife and children have been clothed
and fed, in great measure, by the relatives of the
deceased; and IL Is represented that the father has
spent most of his time in saloons.
1t appears that Rev. William u. Skilton and John
l.. Skiton are desrous TO be appointed guardians OF
the petitioners.
ing efiect:-'I have visited the house OF William
Ellis during the lifetime of his wife, and have seen
him ia such an intoxicated condition that he could
not stand up; he has also visited the children when
he was unable to walk without assistance and
guidance
Mrs. Sarah Radcliffe made affidavit as follows:-
81 know the habits of Ellis, having been frequently
at the house during the illness of his wife, and
there as nurse during the sickness; / know that
Ellis was constantly and habltualy drunk He
manifested great indifference to the recovery and
comfort OF any member Of his family who might be
i'll, refusing to provide food medicine, and atfant
or some one else was obliged to purchase the pre-
scriptions made by thephysican. He was so regard
less of propriey and destitute of feeling that all the
day preceding the death OF his wife he lay in shed
adjacent to the house or in saloon by drinking
freely During the day. under the pretense Of tanning
his wife or offering some attention, he took from
under her pillow her portemonnaie, containing
about one dollar, While she was in an unconscious
condition. and appropriated it to his own use. When
returning from the funeral of his wife, he stopped
saloon for liquor and remained until one of his
children was sent for HIM. All the petitioners have
acquired the habit Of using profane language, the
eldest being girl aged years, and the young
ert a boy OF two and half years."
Mrs. Lizzie Danfouth and Mrs. Mary A. Vain
wright, sister of the deceased, made afdaviGs in
support of the above.