Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-11-29
GOT HER CHILD AND A DIVORCE.


actioh to recover the custody of her
child, Chalmers Scott Gray, which has
been pending in the Augusta County
Circuit Court ever since the 26th of last
October, was compromised by consent
of counsel yesterday, and the cause was
stricken from the docket. The order
entered by the court yesterday
awards the sole and absolute possession,
charge, custody and control of the iu-
f4nt child to the plaintiff. Meantime,
Mrs. Ysidora Couts de Gray has been
granted q divorce from her husband by
the Superior Court of San Diego
county, California.
The facts OF the case are as follows :
William d. Gray and Miss Ysidora
Couts were married at the latter's
home, in San Diego, CAL, on the Goth
of February, 1889. One child, boy
now four and a-half years old, was the
issue OF the marriage. The relations
between the husband and wife have
not been pleasant for some time past.
Matters continued to grow worse, un
Ill, the plaintiff claims, her husband
surrepttiously spirited away her only
child and abandoned her.
When the wife learned of this she
Immediately instituted suit for di-
vorce and set about to regain the
custody of her child. After a
futile attempt to Overtake ths
child before it was taken beyond the
confines Of the State of California. and,
on learning that the father was bound
for Augusta county, his old home, she
lett San Diego, Cal, on Sunday morn
ing, October Dist, accompanied by her
brother-in-law Col. Chalmers Scott, for
this city. They arrived here the first
part OF that week and stopped at the
Eakleton, registering under assumed
names to conceal their identity.
A. c. Braxton, well-kuown lawyer
of this city, was employed by Mrs. de
Gray to conduct the proceedings.
When il was learned that the husband
had nos arrived, her counsel prepared
a petition asking that receiver for the
children he appointed, and on Friday af-
ternoon. October 26, Mr.. BraXton went
to Harrisonburg and presented it TO
Judge Mclaughlin, was holding cour,
at that place, and it was not until after
the receiver had been appointed that
their identity was made known.
Mr.. Braxton arrived from Harrison
burg by private conveyance at 1:30 the
following morning with the above or
der, which he had placed in the hands
of Sergeageant Watts in company with
Deputy Sheriff Thomas Dawson and
City Sergeant Logan Turner, Sheriff
Watts boarded G.. Il O. eastbound train
that morning and found Mr.. Gray. ole
OF his sisters and the little boy. Mr..
Watts served the papers and took
charge of the child, and has had charge
it ever since.
AS stated, Mrs. Ysidora 9. de Gray
instituted proceedings in the Superior
Court of the county of San Diego, State
of California, for a divorce from her
husband. In her petition to this court
she claims that her husband had treat
ed her in an inhuman manner, and that
he mad frequently threatened her with
bodily injury, etc., causing her great
bodily pain and mental anguish. The
plaintiff then AYERS that her husband
spirited away her only child, Chalmers
Scott Gray, and alleges that by reason
Of its tender years the mother is a
| fit and proper person to have the care
and custody of said child, and demand
ed Judgment that the bonds of matri-
mony between herselfand the defendant
be dissolved.
In answer to the complaint filed by
the plaintiff the respondent denies all
the charges of cruelty, neglect, de-
sertion, abandonment and improper
conduct attributed to him in the plain
tiff7s complaint. The respondent further
denies that there existed any grounds
that would justify the granting of a di-
vorce, or that he is an improper or un-
suitable person to have the custody of
said child.
This cause having been regularly
brought on to be heard in the Circuit
Court on the 14th day of November,
1894: aud witnesses having been eX-
amined and testified on behalf of the
plaintiff, and the defendant declin-
! Ing 10 introduce any testimony, the cause was
submitted to the court for decision. The
| court by virtue OF the power anu authority
therein vested, ordered, aajudged and decreed
that the marriage between the paintiff, Ysi.
dora Con,s de Gray, and the defendant,
William d. Gray. be dissolved, and all the
rights and prerogatives thst attach and be-
long 10 an unmarried person are restored to
said parties.
And it was further ordered that Ysidora
Couts de Gray have the sole charge, control
and custoday of Chalmers Scott Gray, the sole
| issue of said marriage
Mr.. Curry, the defendants counsel, stated
TO Ne,rs man Monday evening that Mr.
GRAY desired divorce from his wife, and fol
that reason he did not make defense before
the Superior Court of San Diego county. dc
also desired the custody of his child, but was
compelled to accept the next best thlus-a
The case has excited considerable interest
tbrou shout the State, it being the first case OIL
record where receiver was appointed tor
Mrs Mrs Ysidora Couts de Gray, Col. Chalmers
Scott and the little child left for their home
in San Diego, Cal, last Tuesday -St1H@t0'
Necs.
For pain in the side or chest there
is nothing so good as piece OF hanne
dampened with Chamberlaln's Pair