The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-08-25
MANKATo FREE Press.
SOME SEVERE CHARGES.

that Martin Jordan had been made
defendant in an action for divorce and
alimony commenced by his wife,
Catharine Jordan. Mr.. Jordan has pre-
pared his answer. and it contains
some severe reflections upon his wife.
He brings counter charges and also
asks for divorce and for certain prop
erty that he claims she obtained by
fraudulent means.
In his answer Mr.. Jordan denies
most of the allegations of the plain
tiff, and makes the following charges:
That on Aug. II, 1891. the plaintiff
commenced a former action for di-
vorce, and that on Sept. "a, 1891, he,
the. defendant, at the request of the
plaintiff, paid her 5000 and gave her a
house and lot 10, block II, city or
Mankato, valued at $4,000, in full set
Element.
Since the marriage, he further al
leges, and especially for the past 2o
years, the conduct Of the plalntl1f
toward the defendant has been cruel,
lnhuman and improper. During al
most the entire time she has been In
the habit of using whisky and other
intoxicating liquors, and has been
frequently under it's influence to such
an extent that she has been unable
to take care of herself. She has suf-
fered from delerium tremens, and at
such times has sent the young child
rem for whiskey against the wishes
and orders Of the defendant, and has
beaten them until them went. She
has admitted into the defendants
house men of bad reputation. When
expostulated with, she called him vile
names. She secured articles from
stores and other places on credit al
though allowed plenty of money for
all proper purposes.
1t is further alleged that the plain
tiff is a person Ct violent temper, and
when under the influence of liquor
has conducted herself toward the
children in a cruel and inhuman
manner. When the little girl, Belin-
da, was four years old she gave her
whisky and so increased her Inherited
tast efor it. She was in the habit of
locking the girl up in a second story
room. When IA years old, she left
Belinda locked in the second story
room without care or attention until
the child fell out of the window to
the ground. She struck on her head
and since then mas been imbecile,
fact which the defendant believes to
be due to the illtreatment and neglect
of her mother.
Kate, another daughter, died nine
teen years ago when three years old.
Just before she died, the plaintiff fed
her upon whisky in drunken fit, and
because of want of care and the whls-
ky the defendant believes that death
was due. The plaintiff was in drunk
en- stupor when the child died.
1t is further alleged that the plain
tiff brought the first suit to acquire
property to use and spend
for Intoxicating liquors. After the
action was begun, she professed to be
sorry and the defendant agreed to
give her the above described property
if she would reform and abstain from
the use of Intoxicating liquors and
behave as wife should. They lived
peaceably together for ten days and
then she stated that she was ''too
smart for him. and had acquired
some property and would soon pro-
coed to get some more in way that
would astonish him." She had had
no trouble IN beating him before and
she would beat him again, and the
defendant believes that this action
was brought for the sole purpose of
obtaining further property. She had
frequently stated that she would get
his property from him piece by piece
until he would be compelled to go to
the poor house.
AS counter cause of action, the de-
PENDANT alleges the illtreatment and
drunkenness of his wife. She has
also absented herself from home for
many days at time. This abuse and
misconduct caused him long and dan.
gerous spells of sickness and COM
PEELED him on Jan. Goth, 1898, to go to
Hot Springs. Ark, for relief. AS he
left, his wife said that she hoped that
he would never come back unless in
box, and that while he was gone she
would. burn the house and property.
While he was gone she moved with
her family from the farm to her house
in the city. One month after the
settlement and frequently since she
has threatened to poison the defend
ant. Her conduct had demoralizing
effect on the children and when he
would admonish them she would side
with them and threaten to leave.
The defendant alleges that his farm
is worth $4,000 and not $4,000, as the
nlaintiff al1pUod and that hp has hI1t