The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-07
An EVEN DOZEN DIVORCED.
4 Day in the Superior Court Devoted
to Breaking Marriage Ties.

How the Work is Done-The Jurors
Don't Have to Retire if They Are
Satisfied in Their Minds as to the
ENTHUSIASTICALLY Divorce Laws Re-
quire Two Verdicts-The Jury in Lib.
erty County Didn't Like the Quick
Method-other Matters in the SUI
perior Court.
1t was divorce day yesterday in the su.
perior court, and many an unfortunate
marriage tie was broken, and the seem
iDgly unhappy victims set free.
Just an even dozen marriage bonds
were loosed, and though the portion of
the divorce docket disposed of was not so
large as that of last year, when twenty
three cases were tried and disposed of on
divorce day, many of the cases on the
docket were passed on account Of the in
ability Of parties interested in the pro-
ceedings to be present
In eight of the twelve cases heard total
divorces and second verdicts were
granted and DEGREES signed by Judge Fal-
Hgant forever separating those who had
been husband and wife. In the other
four cases first verdictS were granted bV
y
piled for at the next term OF court.
HOW THEY ARE GRANTED.
Under the laws of Georgia no divorce
can be granted by one jury Two juries,
al different terms Of court, have to pass
upon the same evidence and render the
same verdict before the Judge can sign a
decree granting the parties a total or a
partial divorce.
There are various grounds, however,
under the Georgia laws under which di-
vOrces are granted, among which are
cruel treatment, desertion for period of
three years and the ground of the Mosaic
law 1t is only necessary to make out q
plain case OF either so that the Jury will
be satisfied as to the allegations, and the
only thing which causes delay is the law
which compels the case to be heard at
two terms of court.
The jury after receiving the charge from
the Judge; which is generally brief and
10 the point, can retire to their room and
make up their verdict, or il they are all
agreed the foreman can sign the verdict
at once, and let the next trial proceed.
The latter course is generally adopted
unless there is hitch in the evidence,
but there was no hitch in any of the
cases yesterday and things moved along
smoothly and rapidly
DIDN'T LIKE THIS IDEA.
A Liberty county jury which had di-
vOrCe case on hand at the recent term of
court held ouo there, didn't like this way
of doing the work. 1t seemed that they
were new at the business and thought
that, in justice to all parties, they should
deliberate for some time before coming to
any conclusion.
The case in question was up on its first
hearing before the court. and at the con
ClusiOn of his charge, judge E'alligant told
aG hnH in -.
could retire to their room aud make up
their verdict or if they they deemed the
testimony sufficient the foreman could
sign the verdict right then and there
without more ado. The foreman left his
seat to sign the verdict but several mem
bers of the jury began to shake their
heads. Thinking that this was express
I've Of some doubt on their part, Judge
Falligant told them to retire to their room
and make up their vedict. That Jury
went off and remained out two hours, re
turning at the end of that time with a
verdict for total divorce, which was asked.
DIVORCES GRANTED YESTERDAY.
In the following cases second verdicts
and total divorces a yinculO matrimonii
were granted by the jury yesterday, and
decroes were signed by the court restor-
ing to the better halves their former
names, and to both parties the right to
LlltIL ~ dSdlls IlbuI.F IOlCu VS.. Saline lClCn,
Mrs. Ardelia Nj Farmer VS.. John T..
Farmer, May M. Beard VS.. G. Rush
Beard, Mile Donegal vs.. William H.
Donegal, Richard Williams rs. Bosh
Williams, Cornelia NJ. Gilmer vs. Richard
W. Gilmer, Ludisha johnson VS. Hamil-
ton Johnson, and Nellie Love vs.. Charles
Love.
First verdicts for total divorce were
grantees in the following cases: Henry B.
Hamilton vs.. Jane Hamilton, Alice Law
vs. Oliver Law, Pearl M. Race vs.. John
K. Race and james E. Symes VS.. Mamie
Symes.
There are several other cases on the
divorce docket which will be disposed Of
at this term of court
OTHER MATTERS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT.
The case of L. Balm VS.. Rev. c. c. Pen
dergast was disposed Of This was a
SUIT for the foreclosure Of a mortgage for
$3.50 and S764. Is interest in which rule
msl had been granted at the last term of
court. Judge Falligant issued yesterday
arule absolute in the case and directed
the sheriff 10 issue executions against the
property of the defendant to cover the
amount, with 10 per cent. for attorneys
lees and costs of court.
Inc damage suit of Will Shellman vs.
inc Savannah, Florida and Western
halfway company was settled and marked
on the docket, the defendants paying all
he costs.