Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-02
MUST LIVE TOGETHER.
Unexpected Outcome of a Woman's
Suit Against Her Husband.
BIG WORK FOR THE DIVORCE MILL.
The nti-Cruelty Society Enlarges Its Field
for Humane Work.
OTHER NEWS FROM THE COUNTY COURTS

Judges Collier aud Slagle found rather
meager attendance yesterday in the court of
post-hymeneal claims, the attraction being
too strong in Common Pleas No. to allow
many people except those who had business
to visit the Quarter Sessions room.
There were a few disconsolate ribs scat
tered through the audience, but only one
case developed sufficient interest to check
the chatter of the lawyers who discuss the
weather and the legal "crop" in this court
on Saturdays, which custom has made sort
of half play-day in the Quarter Sessions.
Dr. James A. McAlfresh was called up
and asked why he refused to support Mrs.
McAlfresh and two small McAlfreshes, ald
he succeeded in making out case of self
defense which was rather unexpected after
Mrs. McAlfresh's story had been heard.
She stated that she had been domiciled at
times in California, Washington county,
at Sandy Greek, and at present keeps house
for man on Smithfeld street.
STORY OF THE WOMAN.
She said the doctor had deserted her seven
years ago, and, though he had given some
support at times for the children, he had
not included her in the arrangement, and of
late had ceased entirely to contribute. She
also insinuated her conviction that the
doctor was maintaining another woman on
Washington street. This brought out the
doctors counsel, Mr.. Smith, and when he
got chance he demanded to know if she
also were not living with a man to whom
she was not married.
l1f1 IL ,ho % %o11
his story, and he said he had found it i'm
possible to live with Mrs McAlfresh. He
said she had had him in custody five times,
and forced him TO lie in Jail in Little Wash
ington three months last winter. He said
she had deserted him herself, once on a
time, and refused to live with him. In con-
clusion the doctor said he had repeatedly
agreed to live with her and take care of her
to the best of his ability anywhere except
in California Washington county, but he
would not live there, as the associations
were too unpleasant. He also stated that
both had been married before the union,
and each had children, and that they had
agreed to pool their issues.
She said he earned $40 a week, but he
said his earnings were irregular; that he
made catarrh and asthma medicine and
could not always make good sales Judge
suffered with catarrh, the receipts should be
good.
ADVICE FROM THE BENCH,
During the progress of the discussion Mrs.
McAlfresh's counsel suggested that unless
the doctor were made to contribute, the
two youngest children would become
a public charge, but this declaration sug-
gested to Judge Collier that they had not
yet obtained a settlement in this county
and would be sent back to Washington
county by the Guardians of the Poor in the
event of their failing to get sustenance from
their parents. He further remarked, after
a little talk with Judge Slagle that
if Mrs McAlfresh would not live
with her husband when he proposed to
provide home for her within reasonable
bounds, she must make her own way
without her husbands help. He told the
woman that as a conjugal partner she must
take the bitter with the sweet and init
mated that she wasn't like to find perfect
bliss anywhere this side of Jordan.
It was announced that the case would be
continued long enough to allow the doctor
time to set up family altar, and if he did
it, Mrs. McAlfresh must accept home
with the doctor or scratch for herself The
eyes flashed, but she said nothing.
The doctor seemed we'll satisfied with the
offered him.