The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-01
A DESERTED WIFE.
Friendless Woman Pushed Off White-River
Bridge by Her Husband and Left to Die.

Mrs Mary Eshman is wretchedlookine
woman. Her affairs in life are limited to the
mere struggle for existence. Ignorant, but
knowing enough to appreciate her miserable
condition, and to foster jealousy, she and her
husband Marion, have lived with disturbing
element between them in the person of woman
to whom the wife says Marion has paid atten-
tions ever since they were married. Yesterday
morning, with an old and dirt stained crochet
shawl covering her head and body, a ragged
and time-worn alpaca dress barely held
to her waist, feet without stockings and shoes
without strings or buttons, her face and hands
dirt-begrimed, and battered tin bucket by her
side, she was found lying in box-car on the
Belt railroad near the l. 6 V. crossing. To the
people who found her she told story of de-
sertion by her husband and of suffering from
chils. A Mr.. John Curtis, living near the place,
took her to his humble home and gave her food.
In the afternoon Kregelo & Whitsetts ambulance
was summoned to take her to the hospital
After considerable inquiry the locality was
found, but the woman, although able to
walk, showed intense suffering from
fever and pains in the chest and back
A rigid inquiry as to her antecedents and condi-
ton brought out story of poverty and abuse
intensified by circumstances of suspicious color
ing She said she was born in Clifton Ind,
where lives DIR. Newcomb, her guardian. Five
years ago she married Eshman. They have a
child six years of age. Throughout their mar
ried life she says Eshman never invited her to go
out with him until Saturday morning, although
he was otherwise kind. On the morning men
toned he asked her to 60 fishing with him.
She expressed her unwilingness but he insisted,
and finally said you must CO." About noon
they went out the Belt railroad, thence to the
bridge across White river, at the pike
that leads out of Hadey avenue
Going onto the bridge, Eshman caught his wife
by the arm sportively and in the slight scufle
she lost her footing, and fell through to the
ground, very near the water. Eshman, she
said leisurely walked from the bridge to where
she was lying and asked, care you hurtp "Of
course am hurt, she replied. He then went a
short distance from her. and, returning, put his
hands on her shoulders, saying, You stay here
forgot to bring fish-hooks with me, and must
60 back to the city after them. will not be
gone more than two hours. Don't go away from
the bridge" For the first time since they were
married, he kissed her, the tears starting in
his eyes, and said, Goodbye; I'll not be gone
long"
often wanted me to take medicine from him,
but would not do it" she told the reporter.
why did you take it at the bridget"
Because he insisted on it."
WAS 1t quininep
mo, but it had very bitter taste, and when
I took it became sleepy and almost blind"
That the woman, during Saturday afternoon,
was thoroughly affected by the medicine or fall is
proved by people who saw her walking along the
Belt tracks. At one time man pulled her from
the track, narrowly saving her from being
crushed by an engine. Shutdown coming, and
her husband having failed to return, she went to
the box car, and lay there until she was found
yesterday. She was advised to 60 to the hos
pital but to this she strongly objected. $50
long as my husband leaves me my child,
do not care what becomes Of him. l will not
live with him again. will 60 to the poor farm,
but not to the hospital"
When told that she must have permit to 60
there and that it could not be obtained on Sunday,
she said, well take me to No. 100 South Illinois
street where live. My husband has the keys
but will find some friends to take me in" To
Illinois street she was driven, but the people in
that part of the city knew nothing of the family
She says her husband is a blacksmith and
worked near where they lived.