The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-05
A DESCENDANT MUSICIAN.
THE RUSSIAN IDEA OF MAKING
HOME HAPPY.
Prof Carl N. Dorster's Alleged
Monstrous Treatment OF Charming
and Faithful Lady who Linked Her
Life with His.

Something over three years ago there
came TO Memphis from Holly Springs,
Miss, retined-looking, handsome and
specialized teacher OF music, known as
Prof. Carl NJ. Doster. lie was man
who, aside from presumably pardonablo
conceit, would impress one rs being far
above the ordinary individual. Polished
in manner, intelligent in conversation,
genial in companionship, and preceded by
a reputation Of superiority rs vocal in
structor, the newcomer was received with
open arms by all save rival musicians, who
regarded his appearance as an open menace
TO their fields of usefulness. Dostcr was
first induced 10 locate in this city by the
Mozart society, as recognized. Taken
with the idea that greater success could be
achieved by importing musical director,
the society entered into negotiations with
the Holly Springs professor In due course
Of time he arrived, but, through some
change in the program, never took musical
charge OF tho society.
Dorsier brought with him young bride
married at Holly Springs, the preceding
May, some five months previous 10 his nd
vent In Memphis. She was about scven-
teen years OF age, a member OF ono OF the
best and most prominent families in the
State, highly educated, refined and OF q
charming disposition. Her maiden name
was Miss Bessie Crump, daughter of James
Nj. Crump, now a valued attache Of the
Memphis Grocery company. Dos,cr's
marriage was OF the romantic kind, and ex-
cited great deal OF interest among the
cultured people OF the little city in which
IL occurred. His bride was a pupil in
the Franklin Female institute, in which
the professor was musical in
stuctor. Their marriage occurred q few
weeks after she graduated with dis;inc-
ton. Mr.. Crump was irrcvocably opposed
TO his daughter marrying Dorstor, and, in
fact, anybody, owing 10 his intense devo.
ton for her. Then, too, his fatherly intu-
ition caused him TO distrust the man.
Ills doubts and suspicious could not be
shaped into specific charges, therefore he
did not positively prohibit the union, but
on the day II occurred he left Holly
Springs, moro 10 escape the ceremony and
the social scenes following than 10 I'LL
urgent business engagements. They wero
married from the brides residence, In the
Episcopal church, and everything indica-
ted complete happiness.
A few days since Mrs. Donier filed in
the chanccry court petition for divorce,
alleging cruel and inhuman treatment and
failure 10 support Owing TO the high
social standing OF the petitioners family,
and their natural shrinking from newspa-
per notoricty, the attorneys were author
lied iO use all means In their power 10
suppress the proceedings, and did 10 sue
cessfully until yesterday. An ArPrAL no.
porte learned OF the fact and instituted an
investigation. II all the cruclties charged
in the bill he suhstantiated at the
hearing, then the professor In an inhu.
man husband, unworthy helpmeet and
companion from any portion Of The female
world, unless IL be from his own country,
and there only because custom makes II
cndurable.
Carl M. Dorsier il a Russian, and nc
cording to the bill hc evidently deems Il n
husbands province and duty 10 make a
slave of his wife. In order to do this
successfully he cndeavorcd 10 snbjugate
her by species OF abuse and
violence abhouent 20 every sense Of
humanity in this enlightened country.
where woman is held in esteem Dor
riage, and when his trusiful and loving
bride had been removed from her child
hoods home and devoted protec tion Of
her parents and other immediate family
relations, Dorslcr, 40 the bill chargpa,
became Indifferent and churlish toward
her and grew strangely miscrly In
providing home comforts. In his displays
OF affection there was n complete revolu-
ton, amounting almost topainful absence.
When he addressed her Il was in q manner
cndurable only by the most abject menials.
All this the faithful wife bore patiently.
hoping by her love and submission 10 win
him over 30 performance OF his marital
obligations Instead, however, his dolin-
qucncy increased with each succeeding
day, and before their flrsi-born-a sweet
faced little girl-was six months old, took
on the form Of brutal violence. Crpcltics
followed ~ thick aud fast that the pcn-c-
cuied aud unfortunate lady wrote her
mother Of the almost intolerablo miserlcs
Knowing her husbands aversion for Dos-
ter, In the dst instance, the intelligence
WIS carefully guardcd-so carefully. In
fact, that neither he nor his eldest son,
Mr.. Frank Crump, knew aught Of II until
last Sunday afternoon.
II Is unnecessary TO give the charges
against Dorsicr In detail; suffice II 10
say, the wonder Is his devoted young wife
endured them 10 long. For several months
past he has not spoken 10 her at NIL except
when compulsory, aud then addressed
her by such names NJ brute, "animnl,"
"hen1," etc. His eliminating acts Of
violence and cruelty began Mardi Gras
day. Ills wlic knew Il was n waste Of
time and breath 10 ask his permission
10 witness the Sphinx pageant, No,
accompanied by her mother and aunt,
came without II, returning about go
o'clock al night Dorslcr said nothing
that night, but next morning, when she
was stirring the FIRE with n poker, he
struck her two or three times with his
open hand, then seized and threw her
with great force over rocking chair,
nmaiking: You cant interfere with
any FIRE or anything else 81 mine" The
family obtained meals from n family on
Washington street, which were sent 10
their house. near the east end OF Washing.
ton street and two door beyond the resi-.
dcncc OF Mn. Crump, by a waiter. A few
days since the monster changed his order
10 food sufficient only for one. When Il
camc, and the small family were seated
around the table, the wife attempted 70
help herself. With tie utmost unconcen
the husband rcpulsod his wife, omplied
the contents Of the dish into his own plate,
leaving nothing for her. With shame and
modification she reported this occurrence
20 her mother, and thereafter received her
meals from the parental home.
last Sunday, week ago, camo the climax.
For some trivial matter Donicr struck his