Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-09-14
A PIHIARLIf AEFsIR.
A Il espe ca abb W oman Ruined by In
toxfcatiOn-A Remarkable Scene 3
the Street.

} A PIrIABLE AFFAIR.
, A Il pc CT abb Q W oman Ruined by In-
toxication-A Remarkable scene In
the Street.
Another OF those sadsand very distressing
occurrences which shock those who realize
them, and call forth expressions OF pity
and sympathy from the intelligent reader,
has come to the suTIace Tor record, and
bears In itself warning of a torcible
kind. 1t is the same old story of dissipa-
ton and too great Q love for the cup
which has entaiiod so much misery and
wretchedness in all places and among all
people; ii is the brief history Of one who
would not, or could not realize that her
bad acts would revert ON those OF her own
family and bring dire distress on herself
1t Is ten years since Patrick De Witt mar
ried young and handsome woman Of
about twenty years of age. The couple
lived happily very happily together for
seven year, and prospered. Five little ones
graced qniot and comfortable domicile,
and neither man nor wife would have then
believed that aaght but death or some un-s
forseen calamity would ever separate them.
But alas for humanity and its hopes
Three years ago the affectionate wife and
mother began to imbibe freely of intoxs
icating liquors. At first she caused no
anxiety or trouble 10 her husband or
! friends, but in the course of q year the evil
effects OF intemperanee began to manifest
themselves. The little ones were neglect
Ell, or left TO the care Of the father when
he was at home; the wife was frequently ab-
sent; the homo was bereft of its happi-
ness, and the husband began to feel
exasperated at the foolish conduct of his
partner. Tears, entreaties, and even
threats were unavailing. She would not
swerve from her course, but seemed bent
upon following it, come what would Like
in similar cases, designing villains, pro-
fessors of friendship, laid their snares and
gradually inveigled their victim into it.
She seemingly preferred the society OF
these fellows to that Of her own family,
and spent much Of her time with them.
Intoxication took such o hold upon her
that it became habitual. The indulgant
husband became incensed at the course OF
] his wife, but for long time could net
act. She obtained his money and
squandered it, mainly for liquor, and
rendered his life so extremely miserable
and burdensome that at last patient wait
ing for o change To- the better became
loss, and indulgence was no longer prac-
! ticed. On the first of the present month
! De Witt was compelled to force her from
his home and children. Her last act was
to exhaust nearly $500 of his imone3. He
resolved to obtain q divorce and let the |
wayward wife find shelter where she could. |
Whittier she went he knew not, and SEEM |
ingly did not care; for though an indul-
CANT man, he is one of SO strongia viii as |
to cling to his purpose. = 5-
For the last three weeks his dishonored |
wife did not visit or trouble him, and he |
began to think she would not modest him |
further. But he was disappointed in q
manner startling and without precedent.
as will be seen. >
1t was past midnight on Thursday, when |
q vehicle was driven up to the residence OF |
De Witt, on Halsted street, near Harrison,
and a man alighted from it and knocked at |
his door. He answered, and was informed |
that his wife was in the conveyance and |
he desired that she be taken in the house.
De Witt stoutly refused, and told the man
that the woman should never enter his
doors. Another woman accompanied the
man, and the two assisted the wife Of De |
Witt out of the vehicle Oh to the sidewalk, |
where she lay down, and began TO show |
signs of illness. A few people gathered |
around, and with them q police sergeant.
He inquired the cause of the assemblage,
and recognized the woman as one who had
been subject Of judicial investigation.
Dr. L. d. Clarke. whose ottice is hard by,
was called to the scene just as the officer |
had lifted up the partially intoxicated and |
i'll woman from the sidewalk, an! was
about to conduct her to the station-house.
With quick perception the physician saw
at once, by the gaslght, tilat the unfortu-
| nate woman was in travail, and he politely
caused the officer to desist, on Informing
him of the cause of the woman's Illness
Soothing medicines We're given her, and |
10 a short time a little human soul was
prematarely brought to the view OF
astonlshed bystanders, several hundred
of whom had by this time collect
ed to inquire the cause Of the CON
gregation.' The tiny infant was wrapped /
quickly into the pocket handkerchiefs of
several present, and carried hurriedly into
the house of De Witt, who, by this time,
realized the situation. DIR. Clark, with
young student as his only assistant, rem
dered excellent service in SO unusual |
place for such prlctice, aud Dotwithstand-
ing the extreme. illness of the woman,
| caused by great heinorrhage, relieved her
of much paiG and had her removed into /
her former home, where the a8tonished |
littis ones present greeted their mother |
with wondering eyes and looked curiously |
at the little stranger
De Witt looked upon the scena with com.
passion Tor one whom he pitied. if he did |
| not love. and made her as comfortable as |
| possible under the circumstances; for he
had but lately put his furniture in order, |
preparatory to removal.
! Ia the meantime the curious crowd dis |
persed, and the scene closed upon one OF
| the strangest and most unusual events
which ever transpired in Chicago.
| The newcomer did not live long, how
ever. IL died at 2 O'Clock this morning.
The mother is doing as swell as could be
expected" and it is to be hoped that she
has received warning which viii prove or
future benefit, and cause her to pursue
course which viii place her again in aquiet
home, and render her useful, as in former
years. But for the timely appearance Of
| the physician she would have died in q few
minutes; for not one ia the crowd diyiued
| the cause of ber trouble, nor would she tell
them Cbic0go Post
| SELLING MAN Did you ever hear of
Andrew Wallace seiZing q man that was
drunk and putting him up at auction ? /
must tell you that story. Squire Wallace
was captain in.the militia; and one day
| after training was over, and just before the
men were dismissed from parade, he took
a guard with him, and made prisoner of
Pat Sweeney, who was most powerful
drinker-drinks as much at q time as q
camel, almost. ''Pat," says he, 81 seize
you in the Kings name!. '.Me r says
Pat, scratching his head and looking all
| abroad, bewildered like; 81 am not
smuggler; touch me if you dare p 81
seize you, says he. 'for violation OF the