Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-09-08
A PITIABLE AFFAIR.
A Respectable Woman Ruined by In
toItcstiou-A Remarkable Scene IN
the Street.

occurrences WHICH buuCh tlOSe WHO realize
them, and call forth expressions of pity
and sympathy from the intelligent reader
has come to the surface Tor record, and
bears in itself q warning of forciblo
kind. 1t is the same old story OF dissipa-
ton and too great love for the cup
which has entailed 50 much misery and
wretchedness in all places and among all
people; it 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--yery happily together for
seven year, and proSpered. Five little ones
graced a quiet and comfortable domicile,
and neither man nor wife would have then
believed that aught but death or some I'M
forseen calamity would ever separate them.
But alas for humanity and its hopes
Three years ago the Gffeotionate wife and
mother began to imbibe freely of intoX-
icating liquors. At first she caused no
anxiety or trouble to her husband or
friends, but in the course of year the evil
effects OF incompetence began 70 manifest
themselves. The little ones were neglect.
ed, or left to the care of the father when
he was at home; the wife was frequently ab-
sent; the home was berett OF Its happl-
ress. and the husband began to feel
eXasperated ut the foolish conduct OF his
partner Tears, entreates, and even
threats were unavailing, She would not
sTerve from her course, but seemed bent
upon following it, come what would. Like
in similar cases, designing villains, pro-
tessors of friendship, laid their snares and
gradually inyeiRled 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 hold upon her
that it became habitual, The indulgant
husband became incensed at the course OF
his wife, but for long time could not
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 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 money. He
resolved to obtain divorce and let the
wayward wife find shelter where she could.
Whittier she went he knew not, and SEEM
ingly did not care; tor, though an lndul-
gait man, he Is Que OF SO strong will as
to cling to his purpose.
For the last turee weeks his dishonored
80, g.. i "A .ri1it fpnnhla him aud hn
began to think she would not modest him
further. But be was disappointed in a
manner startling and without precedent
rs will be seen.
/. was past midnight on Thursday, when
vehicle was driven up to the residence Of
De Witt On Halsted street, near Harrison,
and a man alighted from 1t 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 shoDld never enter his
doors. Another woman accompanied the
man, and the two assisted the wife of De
Witt out of the vehicle on to the sidewalk,
where she lay down, and began to show
signs of illness. A few people gathered
hlOhll, ahu Will llthi fGAiNf 90 bNRbN
He inquired the cause Of the assemblage
and recognized the woman as one who had
been a subject of Judicial investigation,
DR.. l.. d. Clarke, whose Office is hard by,
was called to the scene just as TIE officer
had lifted up the partially intoxicated and
i'll woman from the sidewalk, and was
about to conduct her to the station-house.
With Il quicf perception the physician saw
Mt once, by tle gasiight, that the unfortu.
nate woman vas In travail, and ne politely
caused the officer to desist, on informing
him of the cause of the woman's illness.
Soothing medicines were given her, and
in short time a little human soul was
prematurely brought to the view Of
astonished 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 handkerchiets Of
several present, and carried hurriedly into
the house Of De Witt, who, by this time,
realized the situation. DR., Clark, with Il
young student as his only assistant, rem
dered excellent service in so unusual q
place for such practice and notwithstand-
ing the extreme illness of the woman,
caused by great hemorrhage, relieved her
of much pain and had her removed into
her former home, where the astonished
little ones present greeted their mother
with wondering eyes and looked curiously
at the little stranger.
De Witt looked upon the scene with CON-
passion for 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
In 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. II died at o'clock tLi5 morning |
The mother is doing as "well as could be
expected, and it is to be hoped that she
has received a warning which will prove Of
futu.e benefit, and cause her to pursue a
conraa which win nlacQ her again Ia aauiCt |