National Republican., 1881-07-30
MRS. GUITEAU,S DIVORCE.
It Was Granted in Brooklyn in Is73-The
Evidence Prnduced.

In reference to the divorce of Mrs.
Annie J. Guiteau from her husband, who has now
acquired q most Infamous notorety, It appears
that the suit was brought In the Kings County Su-
preme Court In the fall of 1873. Infdclity formed
its basis and absolute divorce was prayed for.
Mrs. Gutcau in her complaint said that she was
married to Charles J. Guieau in Chicago July o.
1863 The ceremony was performed by the Rev.
william Alvin Bartlett, n gentleman with whom
Guitcau is said to have had some slight acquant.
nncc, for Mr.. Bartlett had previously served
term pastor OF the Elm Place Congrega-
tiOnnl Church in Brooklyn, and Gutear, for the
two years previous to his marriage, had been
cavortng among the members of Mr.. Beechors
Plymouth flock. Mrs. Gnltcau was residing at No.
81 East Twenty second street, New York, when she
brought her suit, and as she was very respectfully
connected, and desired to avoid all unnecessary
publicity In connection with the affair, Kings
County was chosen as the place of trial. The
usual motion for nlimony and counsel fee was
made aud was granted. Gutcau, however, had
proved such shitless good for nothing that his
wife was not greatly disappointed to find that
he was unable to furnish either Mr.. Levi A.
Fuller was appointed referee, and in January
lS7i began to take testimony Mrs. Guiteau pro-
duccd only three winesses-Guieau himself
who, under the law, could only testify that
he was her husband that they were married at the
time alleged, and that they had resided in New
York State for year prior to the date of the nc.
tion. Tho second witness was Romayn Van Week,
who furnished the minor link in the chain of evil
dence, viz, that the couple had boarded at his
house in East Twelfth street, New York, from the
middle of May 1873, to the middle ofthe next June.
| Clara Jennings loose woman of Twenty FIRST
| street. New York, the third and last witness, ad.
miled the adulterous relations alleged to have eX-
listed between herself and Guiteau, and Mrs.
Guite0u's case was complete. Guiteau put In 10
defense. On the contrary, he Is said to have been
SO infatuated with the Jennings woman that he
assisted in furnishing the evidence which divorced
him from his wife. Judge Calvin L. Pratt, on the
llth of April following, confirmed the referees
port, giving Mrs. Guiteau her freedom All the
while that this paragon Of hypocrisy was living in
open adultery with Clara Jennings he was visiting
regularly the rooms of the Young Mems Christian
Association iu New York, where his name was en-
tered upon the visitors book, His name WAS also
| on the roll Of members of the Calvary Baptist
Church, of which the Rev. Mr. Macarthur was
pastor The granting of the divorce opened the
eyes Of the church officers, and, although Guicau
appeared before the committee on discipline, con-
iessed his immoraities, and professed penitence,
the committee cast him ont without dissenting
vote. Guiteau's connection with Plymouth Church
was more fortunate IN Its termination. lie was
admitted to membership in 1867, and in 1869, at his
own request, he was given letters of dismissal.