The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-18
A MINISTERIAL DIVORCE SUIT.
How an Ohio Divine Pounded His Wife with
Volume Of Surgeons Sermons.

YOUNGSTOWN, o., June 17.-.Rev. Mark G.
McCaslin, Methodist minister who has until
February last been preaching to q little flock az
Gustavus, quiet country town in Trumbul
county, is the defendant in q divorce suit now on
trial at Warren, which is attracting so much
attention that the courtroom is packed, and
farmers from his parish with their families
gather about the court house eager to catch the
latest news from the trial NIcCaslin has every
appearance of a man of the world He is good
looking, dresses stylishly, and wears clothes
which fit so smoothly and are of such modern
cut that they give him the appearance of being
more of city man and habitue of Change
than country divine Mrs. McCaslin, who has
been sitting beside her lawyers for the past two
days, is a pretty little brunette with bright eyes
and a face full of goodness, but now showing the
traces of care.
The testimony introduced shows that the
couple were married in West Middlesex, Pa,
September l9, 1876 the wedding being attended
by all The usual festivities and relatives of both
the young couple, happy over what was consid-
cred most fortunate union. McCaslin has just
graduated from theological seminary, and had
accepted the pulpit at Gustavus, it being his first
charge. The young couple at once went to
housekeeping in cozy little parsonage, but the
honeymoon was short, and in few weeks neigh
bors and friends were shocked at hearing reports
that the McCaslin cottage was becoming the
scene OF hot blooded quarrels. Things grew
from bad to worse, and although two children
were born to them, and have grown into
handsome boy of six, and winsome little miss
OF eight. the disturbances still continued.
Mrs. McCaslin, as she sat to day in the wit
ness box, and related the story of her married
life, won the attention of the hundreds who
packed the courtroom and brought tears to
many eyes Her story, in brief is that McCaslin
has been in the habit of cruelty beating her,
often backing her eyes and knocking her down,
and at one time pounded her in most brutal
and ferocious manner over the head with a
heavily-bound volume of Spurgeon's sermons. At
other times he has been in the habit of throwing
eggs and hot coffee in her face. heaving shovels
at her, and otherwise acting like demon in
stead of a preacher of divine law. When he got
into rage, he would smash the furniture and
pictures, and on one occasion picked lighted
lamp off the table, and hurled it to the floor
with an OATH
On the 18th of last February Mrs NTcCasln
took her two children and escaped to a neigh
boris house, refusing to return to the parsonage.
This brought things to focus, and McCaslin
threw aside the clerical gown and came here,
putting out his sign as attorney at law In his
testimony, submitted this afternoon, he denies
most of his wife'S allegations, and makes counter
charges against her. He also produced a num-
Der of witnesses who swore TO his usually good
character. After witnesses had sworn to Me-
Saoih SOOu CudIdCtcI ITO lutfOuuCeO testimony
to show that his wife was perfect terror. that
she tongue-lashed him and drove him to despera-
ton. When it became evident to HIM that a
separation must come, he commenced taking
notes of all the things she said to him. He read
them at the trial this afternoon Some were so
ridiculous as to provoke laughter. Others were
harsh and couched in words which would natu-
rally make a husband anything but angelic.
Among those who have heard all the testimony,
1t is an open question whether Mr.. or Mrs Nc
Caslin got the worst of the matrimonial bargain
The testimony was concluded this evening and
the arguments commenced.