National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-08-18
THE DIVORCE MARKET.
Collins, tho Cnst-Iron Man, Complains
of His wifc's Cruelty.


OF Ills wifo's Cruelty.
While It Is the time of year to expect q
lull In legal business at the court house,
there is one branch Of litigation that never
decreases. Unhappy couples arc always
seeking dissolution OF the marriage tic UNI
der the belief that they can find more con
tentment apart than being compelled to
abide by the marital lot The latest INSTALL
mcnt in the divorce market came in yester-
day to the clerks office in the shape OF
three applications of mismated pairs for
separation.
THE CAsT-1RoN MASS COMPLAINT.
John G. Collins, the cGst-iron man, who
wants freedom from his wife bridget Col
lins), files his petition through j. Nc
Dowell Darlington, solicitor. The paper
sets out that the parties were married IN
this city at Calvary Baptist Church by Rev.
DR.. Parker on May III, 1881. Mr.. Collins
states that he knew his wife but short
time anterior to the marriage, and had but
little opportunity to Judge of her true
character. He complains that within two
months after they had lived together he
observed that his wife was addicted to the
use OF intoxicating drinks When he
would leave home to attend to his business,
which Is that Of professor OF gymnastics,
he would find her ON his return under the
attempted to conceal this from him, but
soon the habit had so gotten control of her
that she would become beastly drunk, and
violent and indecent in her conduct and
language toward him. When she became
almost insane from drink she would pursue
him through the town to his place of bust
ness, and use indecent language In the pres
ence of his pupils, at his boarding house,
and upon the public streets. On several
occasions she obtained warrants against
him upon the alleged ground that he had
threatened her life, or with bodily harm,
which resulted in his confinement in the
common jail, and requiring him to give
bonds to keep the peace. Her indulgence
In strong drink is said to have become
habitual, and her condition such that he
considers II his duty to finally separate
from her.
In addition he charges her with cruel
treatment, attempting TO hit him over the
head with articles of household furniture,
frequently throwing pitchers, plates, and
tumblcrs at him, and on one occasion at
tempting to comb his head with brick.
He says that she has threatened to poison
him, shoot him, and cut his throat at night.
BY means of all these grievances he has
been SO mentally worried and interrupted
In business that, though of robust constitu-
tuition, his health has been affected, and
unless relieved his life will be endangered.
This is the statement found In Mr.. Col
linss bill, but there seems to be variance
between his statement and the marriage
record. He states that his wlfe's name Is
| Bridget Collins, and fails to give her maiden
name, and further states that they were
married in this city May 10, 1881. The
license book shows that on the above date
| marriage license was issued TO John q.
| Collins, Of New York city, aud Emily
Warner, but there is no return made TO It,
as the law requires should be done In case
where n minister marries the parties, TO
show that the marriage has been performed.
The book fails to disclose that at any time
anterior to the 10th of May license had
been issued to John G.. Collins TO marry
| with q woman whose Christian name was
| Bridget. This will need explanation before
| yorce.