River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-09-16
MARRYING HER BLIND TEACHER.
Marry Patterson's Matrimonial TrOu-
bles-- Released From Prison.

In the supreme court, chambers, re-
Gently, Mary f. McComber, who was
committed to the penitentiary under
the name of Mary +. Patterson, was
brought before Judge Beach on a writ
of habeas corpus sued out by her coun-
sell The disorderly conduct complain
ed of by the prisoners mother consist
ed of the girls expressed purpose to
marrya blind newsdealer named Nc
Comber, who has a stand at the corner
of Twenty-seventh street and Ninth
avenue.
The girl, bright, good looking and
about 10 years of age, sat in court in
close consultation with her blind lover
who seemed IL young man of intelli-
gence, % years of age. Mr.. Hummel,
who appeared TO argue in favor of the
writ of habeas corpus, set the marriage
part of the question at rest by sub
hitting a marriage certificate to the
court, making Miss Patterson Mrs.
McComber. On the question of the
regularity of the commitment. coun-
sci argued that it was defective, in that
it provided for the imprisonment of
the prisoner for period not exceeding
six months in default of furnishing ST..
600 bail for her good behavior. The
indefiniteness of this commitment as to
time, counsel urged, left it in the dis
erection of the warden of the peniten-
tiary to fix the time of imprisonment
anywhere within the limit of six
months, and this had been expressly
held by Judge Davis to be illegal, in
the case known as the twelve COM
mitments. Assistant District Attorney
Bell contended that the commitment
was sufficiently definite, as the OBJ
vious meaning of it was that she should
be discharged any time within six
months on furnishing 81 900 bail, or at
the end of six months Internationally.
Judge Beach said he would look into
the matter 1t was further stated by
counsel for the imprisoned wife that
there was some music mixed up i'll
this somewhat romantic love affair,
the husband having taught the wife to
play on the cornet, and that he cher
ished the purpose of organizing band
for public exhibition.
Judge Beach decided that the com
mitment under which the young wife
was held was irregular, and ordered her
discharge. The couple left the court
together.
In conversation with IL reporter the
girl said: II ioned the band with my
mothers consent | was striving to do
something for myself. | went to John,
that's my husband here, for aid when
| wanted anything. | had no shoes,
and mother would not get me any.
John loaned me 81 to buy shoes the
money to be returned to him when we
started on our band trip through the
country. Many little kindnesses he
did for me that won my heart. He
told nae frankly the great sacrifice
would he making in marrying blind
man. But did not think it sacrl
flee, for | loved him and | knew he
loved me. He is honest and thrifty
too, even though he is blind. When
| was arrested he came into court be
fore Judge Murray, but he would not
listen to what John had to say. The
Judge said he was Il scoundrel, and
ordered him out of the court ROOM"
Did you show Judge Murray yonl
marriage certiticate?'
Certainly, and he read it. Here il
is"
The certificate is signed 10y j. ID
Heron. assistant of St Augustine
Chapel, and witnessed by Charles f
! O'Neil of No. 105 East Houston street
and Mrs A. Hilderbrand of No. us!
Chrystie street.
''Iou are certain you showed it VI
| to him ?"
eyes, and he read it, and then order
ed John out of the court room and sent
me to the worllhouse for six months
and lie told my mother, in sending mc
there, he knew | would come out 8
worse girl than when | went in"