The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-24
A STRANGE STORY, IF TRUE.
The Secret Process Of a Court AnnuIng a
Marriage Between Brother and Sister.

The curious story Of woman seeking the
aid of Justice Nelson To dissolve the marriage
she had uneonseiously catered into with her
owl brother, has found sequel in the judicial
separation of the couple. The case has been
surrounded with much secrecy, as the Justice
and others concerned have endeayored to keep
the facts from publicity for the sake of the I'M
happy woman.
Justice Nelson was trying case in the
Chambers Of the Brooklyn, n. Y, City Court,
about two weeks ago. when well.dressed
woman approached the bench, and, asking the
Justices attention, said that she was in great
distress, as she had discovered that her hus
band was her own brother, of whose existence
she had no knowledge until she became his
wife. The Justice asked her il she had lived
with her husband since the discovery, and she
replied that she had not. The Justice adyis-
ed her TO consult n lawyer, who would suggest
the proper legal remedy FOR her case, The
woman consulted lawyer, and the papers
were duly prepared, and the case was referred
to Mr.. i. Il. Dana to hear and determine.
The law providing for secrecy in divorce cases
has been rgdly applied in this instance, bat
the story is said TO be as iollOwsi
Two Swedish brothers, named Peterson,
made the acquaintance many years ago Of two
Irish girls named Common, who were sisters,
and were domestics. One Of them wen, 10
live with one Of the Petersons, without, how.
ever, the ceremony OF marriage in church,
while the other, who was Annie T.. Conner,
was regularly married TO the other brother,
A few months after this marriage the first sis.
ter gave birth TO u son, who, when but day
OF two old, was sent to his married aunt.
The boy was treated as her own child by his
aunt, and was named Peter Peterson, after
his foster father. A girl was born two years
later to the boys mother aud soon after her
birth Peterson deserted the mother. The
mother had her christened Annie Il. connor,
her own name,
The children grew up as cousins, aud re
garded each other as such. The girl is said
TO have been attractive though delicate. with
blue eyes and an abundance of light hair
Her brother was strong aud manly His sun.
posed mother, who was really his aunt, edu.
Gated him IN the common schools, and then
put him into business. He prospered, and
when his supposed mother removed from The
city he frequently visited the house OF his sup.
posed aunt, who really was his mother, aud
was thrown into the society of his Supposed
cousin. The two we're fond Of each others
society, aud were much together, but il was
not suspected that the tender affection Of low
ers existed between them. Last summer,
however, the mother visited Europe. aud was
absent number OF month"; In her absence
the brother and sister, who did not dream that
their eonsangninity extended beyond the re-
iationship Of cousins, agreed 10 get married
and to give the girls mother a surprise upon
her return by receiving her into their own
home aud by welcoming her as their porpet
ual guest
Some weeks ago the mother returned, and
when she went TO the house Of her daughter
she found her two children living there as hus-
baud aud wife. She then told her astonislied
children the story Of their lives, and when they
realized what they had done they at once sep
arated, and, il said, have not seen each other
since, andwill probably never meet again.
The referee has reported in favor Of annull-
ing the marriage on the ground OF consau-
guinity, and Justice Nelson Is said TO have
signed the necessary decyee.