Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-16
Judge Shaw Hears Two Dl-
vOrce Cases.
Gordon VS.. Gordon and Easter
day VS.. yesterday.
Castos Lapointe and Jesse Carter
Adjudged Insane.
Proceedings Yesterday in the Superior
Court-Notes OF Cases Acted
Upon-New Suits.

vorce from her husband, R. B. Gordon,
by Judge Shaw yesterday morning on
the grounds of cruelty. The parties are
residents OF East Los Angeles, and have
led an existence somewhat enlivened by
family jangles for some time past. When
the plaintiff was put upon the stand she
told the story of their married life in an
energetic and convincing manner. Her
husband. she said, had not made COM
panion of her, but drudge. He did
not seem to realize that she might have
secret yearnings for something beyond
the daily task of cooking three meals
and sweeping the house, and his neglect
kindled a fire of resentment in the wife's
bosom which could not be extinguished.
Gordon was also, according to his
wife's testimony, exceedingly quick
tempered and brutal. When he became
angry at her, which was often, he
would strike and abuse her
shamefully. The neighbors were
aware of Gordon's treatment of his
wife, and several of Mrs. Gordon's init
mates testified in her behalf. Accord
ing to the testimony, the elimination
OF the trouble occurred on July 21st last,
when Gordon struck his wife in the
face and BACKED her eye. The couple
separated after this occurrence, and
have not lived together since. The de-
cree was granted.
DESERTED BY HIS WIFE.
Judge Shaw also heard George w.
Easterday's application for divorce
from Alice Easterday on the grounds OF
desertion, but continued the case with
out granting the decree, for further tes-
timony. The couple were married in
1871, and Easterday alleges that, while
they were living in San Luis, Costello
county, Colo, on March 15, 1889, his
wife left him without cause and
refused to live with him longer. Easter
day could give no reason for his wife's
action, hnt he was very sure that he
had always treated her kindly and that
sac had no cause to leave him. The
plaintiffs brother was put on the stand,
but he knew nothing of the incidents
connected with the alleged desertion.
He had met his brothers. wife, how
ever, and said that she was very head
strong, stubborn woman. AS far as he
knew, yesterday had been very kind to
his wife. The plaintiff will be given
another opportunity to make out case.
CRAZY ON ELECTRICITY.
Castos Lapointe was examined for in
sanity before Judge Shaw and a COM
mission yesterday in department one of
the superior .caurt, and, having been
adjudged insane, was committed to the
Agnews asylum. Lapointe is native
of Vermont, % years of age and has
been residing with his mother at No.
641 Flower street. Lapointe's hallu-
cination is that he is full of
electricity, which gives him healing
power and at the same time prevents
him from suffering any injury. He be-
lieves Nthat he can jump from any
height to the ground without injury, be-
cause of the sustaining power Of the
electrical current. He thinks himself
called upon to impart to the world his
knowledge of electricity, and has asked
a prominent minister to allow him the
use of his church for lectures on the
subject.
DEMENTED VETERAN.
Jesse Carter, an inmatv of the Santa
Monica Soldiers home, was also COM
mitted to the asylum. He is a man OF
so years OF age, and complete mental
wreck. Carter's hallucination is that |
he is being pursued by his divorced
wife, Bertha" whom he sees about |
him at all times. He is dangerous to
be at large, and needs constant watch
ing.
COURT NOTES.
Judge Shaw has removed his cham
bers into the new court house. The
work on the new court rooms is pro-
crossing rapidly, and they will probably
be completed on August oath, when the
superior court reassembles after the |
summer recess.
Clara Lightfoot has filed complaint |
in divorce suit against Will Lightfoot, |
and Lille M. Williams is suing Adol
phus M. Williams for similar decree.
Allen Penfeld Nichols was yesterday |
admitted to practice in the superior
court on the presentation of certificate |
from Connecticut, and on motion of A. |
R. Meserve. F. A. Davis was also ad-
mitted on certificate from Michigan |
superior court, and on motion of Attor-
ney Shaw.
G. Y. Austin, of San Diego, was ex-
Commissioner Van Dyke for sending |
libelous postal card to James W. Nance, |
of Perris, through the mails. Austin
succeeded in proving that the card was
forgery and the case was dismissed.
The only new suit filed yesterday was
that of the New Zealand Insurance COM
pany vs. George Bradbeer, suit for
Judgment of $1,000, money collected by
defendant as the plaintiffs agent and
never accounted tor.