The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-10-20
Drink Is THE CAUSE
Detectives Hunting for Jas.
F. Durham of the
Heights.
HIS WIFE SEEKING A DIVORCE.
Charges That He Most Cruelty Beat
her-Aceused Her Of
immortality.
is WIFE SEEKING A DIVORCE.

Sheriff Stanton 8 detectives are looking
for James F. Dunhan of No. 317 Summit
avenue, for whom they have an order OF
arrest. The proceedings were begun
against Dunham by his wife, an emiuentfy
respectable woman. who. after TIVE ntY-
two years OF married life has been COM
PEELED to seek the divorce court for pro-
lection from the cruelties of her hus-
band. When Mrs. Duuham was con-
WINGED that her only remedy was from
the Court of Chancery she 'called on
Collins & Corbin and related her troubles.
The firm at once took her case and
instituted proceedings for divorce, and
caused an order tn be issued because IL
was feared that Dunham would leave tne
State. Sheriff Stanton was directed by
the Chancellor to arrest Uunham at once,
an that IL be could not give $500 bail to
lock him up In the County Jail.
MRS. DUNHAM'S CHARGES.
The affidavit of Mrs. Dunham sets
forth that her husband Is an habituai
drunkard. and that he had frequently
beaten her aud threatened to take her
life with 8 razor and knife. He also
called her vile names and assailed her
character for chastity when strangers
were present.
Dunham was for many years connected
with Weseott's Express Company, and
there Whine thus employed be began
| to drink. and after many chances given
him by The company to reform, he was
| finally discharged, and since July l, OF
the present year, he has failed TO contri-
butte penny to the support of his wife.
but has been during all this
Frequently Durham told his wife
| that he would not support her because he
| intended to make IA beggar OF her." No
| later than the present month Dunham
produced large roll of bank notes which
| he said contained 500 and showed it TO
| his wife, saying that when that was gone
| he could get plenty more, but that she
| could beg for her living.
| On October 10 Durham got truck ana
| took all of the parlor and dining room
| furniture to New York This furniture
was the most valuable in the house. He
said when he was dong this that he die
| not propose to give his wife luxuriess
| DRINK THE CAUSE
The poor wife in her complaint sstS
| forth that until 1889 she and her husband
| lived happily together, but that then he
| began to drink to excess and that sincs
| then his ill treatment has bsen con-
| tinuous. On one occasion he became
| enraRed at his wife and choked her and
| afterwards threw tea cup at her. He
| frequently chased her about the house
| with razor or knife threatening to
| take her life. Durham filed his wife
1 with such fear that she was forced TO
1 occupy a separate sleeping room and to
| barricade her door with furniture. On
| September of the present year Durham
| became enraged at his wife and without
| the slightest compunction knocked her
| dowu. Two men, who had ac-
| companied Durham home, iatertsred
| and saved the poor woman from further
| i'll treatment. Durham informed these
Two men that his wife was unfaithful to
4 him and that she was intimate with
colored men. He also charged ner with
| having contracted a loathsome disease
| which Dunhsm contracted from her.
| This vile story the injured wife de-
| nouuces as au absolute lie without any
| foundation.
| VILE CONDUCT.
| On one occasion about one year ago
| Durham brought a strange man to his
home at about two O'Clock In the morn
| ing, Mrs. Dunham demonstrated with
| him for doing so and Durham resortsd
| as ne turned to his triend:
You go inside there with her and shut
| the door and l will stop outside"
| On September % last, Dunham. In the
| presence of his son, accused his wife OF
| having slept with "Sammie," coIorsd
man. Durham then tried to strike his
| wife with a beer mug, and. drawing 8
knife, said he would cut her heart ont.
| The wife fed TO neighbbr's house tor
| protection and remained there for soma
| time.
Mrs. Dunham AYERS that her husband
| is confirmed drunKard aud that he has
been treated by physicians for inebriety,
| but without success. His doctor has
| pronounced his case co be hopeless. The
| case will reach the Chancellor on October
| 80, when it will be argued. M