The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-30
A Wife's Devotion.


Shelbyville (Ill.) Special to Chicago Tribune.
A funeral held here the other day closed a sad
life, the story Of which illustrates the strength
of woman's love. Miss Annie B. lowering
came here to live in 1870, from Lancaster, O.
She was a beautiful girl-a brunet-and at
once became a favorite in society. In 1871
she married Eugene Sumerlin, a printer, who,
at one time. though considered pretty wild, had
the entire of good society. The newly-married
pair settled here, and for a short time all went
well. The husband, naturally of a rowing
disposition and fond Of women, soon began to
move from place to place, neglecting his wife
and leading her a terrible life. Though shame
fully outraged, she chung to him with a wife's
devotion. About seven years ago, in Spring
field, Ill, a lamp exploded in their house and the
wife was cruelty burned and horribly disfg-
ured in saving the lives of her two children.
Her left arm and hand and the left side of her
face, neck and side were burned almost to a
crisp, and her survival was not thought possible.
Friends brought her and her two children here
for the care which the husband failed to give
her. Contrary to all expectations, she
got well, and, though sadly crippled,
took up the burden of life anew. Her husband
wandered from one place to another. spending
his money for wine and women, but occasionally
writing to his wife. At last his letters ceased,
and for a year nothing was heard from him.
Meanwhile the poor crippled wife took in sewing
to support herself and children. Hearing of her
lieges presence in Louisville, KY, where he held
cases on the Courier-Journa she went there
just in time to prevent his marriage
with another woman in that city. Con-
fronting her recreant husband, he had the
hardihood to deny any knowledge of her
he spurned her as an impostor. She. however.
exhibited her marriage ceatiicate and convinced
everyone that he was not only her lawful hus-
band, but one of the meanest of men. Fooled in
his illegal purposes, he fled the town, the next
mornings papers being full of the wronged wife's
story. The deserted, insulted woman found her
way back to Lancaster, O., the home of her
girlhood, and there for some time gained a
livelihood by the labor of her crippled hands.
Meanwhile dissipation had slapped the founda-
ton of her husbands health, and he went
to Lancaster, where his abused wife took him
in and supported him who had given her little
else than abuse for all her years of love, and
finally closed his eyes and saw him buried.
From that time the poor woman had nothing but
her children to care for, and heroically did she
battle for them until disease compelled her to
desist She wrote to friends in this city begging
that she might come here to die. Her request
was granted, and last September she came here
with her children Last Friday death came to
lift the heavy burden of her woes.
Brief Mention.
Jacob Bargv. who attempted to burn down the
Moline Plow Works, at Moline, was sentenced
to three years in the penitentiary.
Jesse jackson, travelling salesman for the
Wholesale millinery house of jackson & Son,
Quincy, died at that city on Tuesday.
Father Sabin, aged ninety-two, is lying at the
point of death at the residence of his son, at
Sycamore, suffering from a broken nip, received
frnm a q a tAW dAVG ~
Proceedings to recover S., 000.damages have
been commenced at Galesburg by j. w. Downie
against Charles L. Davis. a theatrical manager.
When the Davis troupe played there two years
ago, Downie was elected from a reserve seat,
to which, it was held, he was not entitled.
John Prough, aged 100 years, died near Jersey
Vile on Tuesday. He was of Pennsylvania
Dutch stock. rather under size, weighing when
in good condition about 40 pounds. He was
very industrious till his last sickness; a farmer,
genial and hospitable; opposed to the use of in
toxicants, tobacco and drugs.
A t Amos Kemp's, Bloomington, water in a
back compartment of a kitchen stove frozej dur
ing the night. When the fire was started next
morning an exposing took place. The stove
was blown into pieces, one of which struct the
domestic, Maggie Fenton. in the head and an
other on the leg. cutting it nearly of. She is
probably fatally hurt