Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-02-23
DIVORCED Ar TWELVE,
Row "a Little Erie GIrI Was Com.
peIled by Aer Grandmother
TO Marry her Cousin.

Erie Herald.l
Among the petitionsfor the dissolu-
ton of matrimonial bans which were
considered Monday by Judge Gal
braith, was that of Flora Grace, a
child twelve years of age. Said the
court: This divorce is decreed on the
grounds OF fraud and coercion. 1t is
a most remarkable case; | never heard
of a similar one Said the child in
her sworn statement: II am twelve
years and Eve months old; my fathers
name is John Grace; my mothers
name is Hannah; have lived in Erie
several years; haze lived with my
grandmother, Mary Rose Grace; Luci-
ana Grace lived at my grandmother's,
too; my grandmother, Mary Rose
Grace, Mr.. Salcer and wife and Luci-
ana took me one evening to Alderman
Woods office. They told me when
they started that they wanted me to
get married to Luciano. | told them
| did not want to, but my graHdmaand
Mr.. Salcer both said that must do it.
| did not understand what the mean
Jog Of getting married was. Luciano
Grace and lstood up and Mr.. Woods
repeated some words to us. | did not
want to marry him, but my grandma
said | must marry him. Luciano is a
second cousin of mine. My fsther
came and took me away from
my grandmother's three days az
ter was married. After I
was married, until my father came
and took me away, my grandma and |
occupied the same room together.
Luciano and | did not occupy the
same room together and have not
lived together. | 60 to public school
No. 10. We went to another Office
toe same night we went to Woods
Office. 1t was Aldermaa Terriers
office, but he would not marry us"
This is the simple story Of the child
not yet out of short dresses. Alder
nan Farrier deposed that be remem-
bered the visit referred to in the
child's deposition that he was asked
by q woman, whom he afterward
learned was the child's grandmother.
to marry the little child and p young
man who was present. Says he:
They told me the young girl was
fourteen, but she looked like a mere
child, and | declined to marry them.
The woman said they we're nos 10 live
together until they grew M. When
| asked the girl if she snew what
getting married Paant she shook her
head, I thea explained it to her after
which she said She did not want to
get married. The old lady seemed de-
termined chat they should get mar
ried." The fathers story was. 81
came from the city of Horta, island Of
Fayal, Portugal; | came to Erie four
years ago: nay wife is still living in
Portugal | support her by sending
her money; will bring her here as
soon as | am able; have four children,
one Florinda; she married Luciano
Grace in August last; she lived with
her grandmother, Mary Rose Grace; l
had no knowledge Of my little girls
marEage at the time it occurred; Iay
little girl does not comprehend the
meaning Of marriage; Tive opposite
Mr. Grace did not know she was mar
ried till three DAYS after; my little girl
is still a girl in her ways, manners and
thoughts / think they have not lived
tpgether since their marriage" The
petition for divorce was accompanied
by a sworn statement ia Portuguese
Of the cure Of Our lady OF the In
maculate Conception Of the city Of
HQrta, certifying that FlogiRda Grse,