Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-09
MRS. CHURCH WINS.
The Celebrated Divorce Case Decided Mt
Last-The Charge of Cruelty Consid-
cred Sufficient to Dissolve
Rh. NTo-S.cl Roud~

cred Sufficient to Dissolve
the Marital Bonds.
ESPECIAL, rxLEeRAM TO THE DIsP ArcH.l
COLUMBUS, O., April s--Judge Pugh
rendered his decision in the famous Church
divorce case this morning, granting Mrs.
Church decree OF divorce on the ground of
cruelty, giving her custody of three chill
dren and S4O0 per annum alimony. After
dismissing all of the charges made by
plaintiff as disproved, the Judge said:
The extreme cruelty, it is said, consisted of
inhuman and brutal treatment; OF the use Of
violent, profane and threatening language
toward her which was so frequent. profane and
offensive as to keep her in constant dread and
terror; of ordering her from the table, from his
room and house; and she AYERS tnat tne defend
ant has SO threatened, abused and maltreated
her that she was kept in such fear that she was
afraid to live in the same house with him.
By his answer the defendant denied all
the charges made against him in the most
positive and explicit terms. He did not
plead either justification, recrimination or
condonation. The hearing of this case on
the evidence was protracted to great length,
the records of the evidence numbering
about 5000 pages. Considerable bitterness
and asperity was displayed, especially by
the plaintiffs side. Counsel argued the
case with degree of ability and zeal which
shows that their feelings were enlisted in
the case of their clients. The friends of
the parties, and indeed the larger part of
the community, have taken deep interest
in the controversy. On the charge of
cruelty the Court said:
Modern law and humanity regard cruelty on
the part of the husband. when it is deliberate,
extreme and habitual, as not less fragrant
cause for divorce than that of inhdelity on the
part of the wife. Upon hearing the evidence,
/ came to the conclusion that the defendant
had an imperious and domineering disposition,
which had borne heavily upon the plaintiff
One portion of his evidence conclusively
proved this, and it also proved purpose on
his part at one time to drive his wife into SUBJ
lection to his will. According to the plaint-
ifs evidence, he called her vile names
and told her that he loathed and
hated her; that he did not love her
at the time of their marriage; that
she was the most deformed object he ever
saw; that she had the most ragged character;
that she had no modesty or shame; that she
was not fit to be wife or mother; and he
threatened to put her out of the house the
next day. and told her If she was a man he
would cowhide her.
1t does not appear that there is even posi-
bilitysof reconciliation between the plaintiff
and defendant. They separated under circum-
stances of scandal and disgrace. Parental love,
dread of scandal, regard for social position
and other moral considerations did not seem
Court finds that the charge of extreme cruelty
has been substantially proved, and for that
reason a decree of divorce is awarded.
The children are to be sent to Mr.. Church's
residence Immediately after dinner every Sat
urday and Sunday.