National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-02-18
DRITEN TO DITORCE.
A wife's Story of Systematic Persecution and
Cruelty.

Cruelty.
Elizabeth c. La Gorce, through her counsel,
Mrs. Delva A. Lockwood has entered suit for
divorce from her husband, Gabriel II. La Gorce.
Tho parties were married in Pittsburg, Pa,
September 90, 1871, by Rev. Father Hamann,
her maiden name being Lizzie G. O'Bren,
Immediately after the marriage q disagree
ment arose between them with reference to
tho oongratulatory letters Of her friends. He
took them from the post-oflice, and in some
instances destroyed them, without permitting
the bride TO read or answer them. As he was
Frenchman, she claimed that, not under
standing the English language, he miscon-
strued the tenor of the letters. He forbade
her from SEEING writing to, or associating with
neighbOrs aud friends, and would not allow
children to remain in her rooms. About TIVE
months after tho marriage she started to visit
a dying friend at Easton, Pa, when her hus
band interfcred, prevented the journey, and
treated her so harshly that she was i'll for
three weeks therefrom.
Repeated quarres occurred between them.
Tho husband was superintendent of blast fur
mace, with q salary of $1,000 per year, and she
AYERS that he quarreled with every member OF
the company and then to vent his spleen would
force the complainant to write anonymous let
tiers to them. BY this action she says that an
innocent man named TomaSse was charged
with the offcnse convicted. and sent TO jail for
four months. She charges that lie compelled
her to go TO Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pitts
burg, st. Louis, and Cincinnati. and back to
Pittsburg. During these trips lie put her in
dirty, common rooms, and took her West on an
emigrant train, although having 500 in his
pocket, and she got covered with vermin.
At Pittsburg she got position as a telegraph
operator which he compelled her to give up,
taking the wages earned ard making her go
to Mount Torrey, Va. BY his representation
that money could be made there In the manu-
facture Of iron she induced her brother to in
vest 5000 in the works, and he brought two
other friends with him, who put similar
amounts into the business Before ton days
the defendant succeeded in driving the sister
in-law from the place. They remained here
seven months, and in that time sho alleges re-
pcated acts of cruelty, and then won't to
Wayncsburg for the winter, where he was now
and then before. Three days before confine-
ment lie threatened to kick her out of the
house. and month later she left him, her
brother taking her away, and she instituted
suit for divorce.
As he appealed to her for the sake of their
only living child and promised to do better,
she withdrew the bill. But the reform was
| brief. He began new system of wandering,
! taking her and tho infant into eighteen differ
ent States, subjecting them to all manner oil
| hardships, and furnishing a poor supply OF
clothing After time they reached this city.
| Here her success in business has been good and
she desires to remain. but in spite of her re-
mon5trances he has sold out her business and
driven her out of doors, with her infant child
She prays therefore for divorce and the Gus
tody of her child.