The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-13
A HESPECKED OLD MAN.
Lewis Cass Branson, or Tacoma, sues
for Divorce.


Tacoma. Nov. Iz-speciai-A lis pendens
was filed In the county auditors office to-
DAY by Lewis Cass Branson, covering the
entire property % himself and wife. Mary
f. Branson. all OF which stands In the
latter's name.
The filing OF the instrument Is only the
commencement OF what will likely be the
most sensational divorce suit ever brought
In Pierce county. IL recifes that the palm
tiff in the action or Branson VS.. Branson
Will demand a decree Of divorce. divis-
ton OF the community property now held
Ivy the wife. and a judgment for $1,000
damages sustained by reason of alleged
personal indlgnities and the ruin OF his
health for life all Of which the husband
claims to have suffered at the hands OF his
wife. The papers In the divorce proceed
fngs viii be filed tomorrow.
Judge Bransons life reads Ike ro-
nance He came 10 Tacoma seven years
ago from Leadville. Colo. and since his
residence here has amassed a fortune estt-
mated AT from si25.009 10 s2oo.o@o He has
prscticed law during this time, and Is one
OF the most familiar characters about the
courthouse. He is upward of the Script
ural three score years and ten, although
he has been able TO attend TO every detail
OF his law practice. The judge was a very
prominent man in the early statehood OF
Minnesota. being elected a district judge
when the territory became state. He
afterward lived at Virginia City, New.
where he amassed and lost n fortune. He
started In again at Leadvsile. Colo. from
which city he came here.
If all Judge Branson claims Is true, his
welded life from the nuptial morn. Au~
gust a. 1859. has been a remarkably un-
happy one. To the Post-Inteiligencer cor
respondent the Judge tonight told the
story OF his troubles with his wife. He
he h.R In gf.Ea
when she was Mrs. Jones. the wife OF an
ex-united States army officer. She Sc
cured a divorce from her husband, and
Judge Branson married her ciandestinely
at Salt Lake. Utah. I'm lss2. lie SAYS the
marriage was secret go as To enable tho
wife to continue teaching school in Vir-
Rinia City. Judge BrauSon. continuing
Tacoma he sent for his wife and they
were remarked. this time the ceremony
being public. August 81, 1889,
judge Rranson says all his troubles date
from the st marriage. lie says he deed
ed hts wife $4,000 worth of property on
his wedding day. but. not satisfied with
this she wanted him 70 Immediately deed
her the balance Of his property. In March.
1893. Judge Branson was taken with can
Ger OF the stomach. which nearly ended his
life lie saws his wife persistently en-
deavored to persuade him TO disinherit his
children by a former marriage. and finally
ne decided her what property remained IN
his name. From this time on. the husband
claims his lfo was made wretched. and
Ms wife ruled the household with n rod
Of iron. lie alleges that his spouse has
not allowed him sufficient funds 70 carry
on the practice OF hts profession. ard he
has been compelled 90 pawn various valu-
able articles Of iewclry and kecpsakes -
obtain money 20 travel where his practice
called him. ard "a buy food and medicine.
He SAWS that shc has allowed her former
husband 20 occupy house on their prop
srtv and has entertained various relatives
az their home on South Yakima avcnuo
from time 20 time Tho Judge further
ayers ttat he has been compelled 10 %
The drudgery Of the kitchen. and that ~
has been driven I'll Icy tho nature of his
SURROUNDINGS
Judge Brausou. however. makes no as
rcrsion8 on the neral character Of his
wife hut tntimates that his life has been
IN danger.
10th the husband and wife are well
known here ana arc regarded as intellcC-
tuai people. The is peudons covers proper
" ora Pacific avenue IN the business center
OF the city. three lots on Yakima avenue.
several blocks ip Wings. Cakes. Carroll
a uannah's ana BTaDson's additions lots
on 4 street below Twenty afth. and the
homestead az American Lake. The lots in
CARROT q Hapnahs addition front or Cen
ter street The couple reside az No. Soa
South Yakima avenue.