Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-09
Railroad Accident ,n West yiry,u,,
A Divorce Refu~ed.
INTERESTING DECISION A. To MARRIAGE LAWS
IN THIS DISTRICT.

INTERESTING DECISION A. To MARRIAGE LAWS
IN THIS DISTRICT.
In the case of Frederica A. Peck agt George
w. Peck-a suit for divorce-Judge Cox yester.
day refused the divorce on the grounds that
the parties had not been legally married. On
December i1th, 1878, the parties entered into
what is known as a civil contract OF marriage,
wnich is an agreement i'm writing, signed by
both parties and witnessed by six per-
sons who attest the agreement, they
thereby declaring themselves husband and
wife. A few weeks thereafter the defend
ant. without ANY cause known To plaintiff. Left
this city and has since resided I'm Duchess
county, New York where he again married
and had several children. In 1879 the
preme court OF that county ordered that plain
tin should be made party i'm foreclosure
proceeding against certain property of defend.
ant, and she has been recognized as his wife in
several legal proceedings involving his property
in New York. Her Application Tor divorce was
filed by her solicitor, Mr.. T. j. Mackey, on tine
22d Of April. The case was referred TO an ex.
aminer, and the contract of marriage alleged
was fully established.
Judge Cox on yesterday filed a decree In
which he held that. while the marriage was
good at common law, and valid generally In
most OF the states, yet under the Maryland
statute of 1890 which is still in force In this
District, il was not a lawful marriage, not hav-
ing been solemnized by clergyman or other
person duly authorized To perform the marriage
ceremony. decree was therefore refused.
The plaintiff claimed no alimony i'm the case,
her purpose being to have her status to the
i'm his decree that the testimony showed that
the plaintiff acted in good faith and sincerely
believed she was the lawful wife OF defendant.
FUNERAL OF THE REV. JOHN Fl. CHEw.-Yes-
terday afternoon the remains of Rev. John H.
Chew, a venerable and well-known clergyman
of the Episcopal church, and the grandson Of
the first bishop of Maryland, were inferred in
Rock Creek cemetery, ID. c. There were eighteen
of the Episcopal clergy OF the District and Mary
land present on the occasion, viz: Revs. Messrs.
Avirett Barker. Brawshaw, Brown, Buck, FL
Mckee Paine, Perry, steele, Townsend, Ira,
pier, and Wheat. The services were directed
oy tne Wh hey; ut Levin, oean Of the conyoeatiSa
Rev. ]: B. Avirett. rector of silver Spring par
ish, Nd; the Rev; Nelson Falls, rector Of 81.
rector OF Epiphany. Washington; the Rev. John
N. Z. Mckee. rector Of Anacostia, ID. C.; tire
Calvary, Baltimore, and the Rev. Israel L.
washington. The services in Rock Creek
the Rev. John h Elliott, s. p D., rector OF
Harris, washington; the the Rev. @ Never levin, 3.
B 2; dean Upper Mar, Marlborp Nd; the p Rey.
Marks, Washington: Immediately after the
funeral services the clergy present held . meet
a se TO dr
expressive OF the worth Of the deceased and o(
the esteem In which he Il held.
TIE BELT DIVORCE CAsE-Judge Phelps,
OF the city circuit court Of Baltimore, passed an
more, and Frank +. Browning, Of this city, city,
commissioners 20 take testimony here in the
case Of Mary Alice Belt against Eugene y. Belt
for divorce. Contrary % the petition Of coun-
sci for Mrs. Belt Judge Phelps also decided that
the names Of the witnesses and interrSGatories
need not be dlsclosod previous 70 examination.
SENATOR McPHERsox DEEuA-eenator he.
Rherson, Of New Jefsey, positively denies tho
charges that he and Senooor eeWeu at the Con-
tineutai hotel. PhilAdelphtA, December & 1879,
concocted . scheme 70 a1vance each ethcr's
raIlnoad- The charges wese supported by q
ssstement Of Peter b. Watson, OF Ohio, Who
claims % have occupeed tie adjoining room
Pheroou sAys he vts1ted Phtlndclphia ON the
Dap nansds bus did noe visit eay so0m In ths