The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-28
MOST UNUSUAL Stories
Given by the SurGent Brothers in a
Divorce Proceedings.
DEPRAVITY is UNPARALLELED
Nothing Like 1t Ever Revealed in Sim.
liar Proceedings in This Statc-Tcsti.
mony Also Taken in Divorce Cases
of Ward and Peters.

Elias Surgent is an applicant for a
divorce from Hannah Surgent and in
support of his petition he produced be-
fore Judge Edwards yesterday the
most remarkable testimony that, in all
probability, has ever been given in a
similar proceedings in Pennsylvania.
The divorce is asked for on the statu-
tory ground. In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Sur
gent were married in Monroe county,
and after a time came to this city
finally drifting over to Pike county. In
1880 while residing. in that mountainous
region, Surgent was without employ
ment and came to this city in search of
work, leaving his wife at his home along
with his brothers John and Harvey, and
his father
After an absence OF two months he
returned to Pike county and was made
aware of the fact that during his So
journ in search of employment his
father and brothers had been guilty IF
criminal acts with his wife. After n
stormy scene, duri..g which he made
his accusations, all three, he says, ad-
mitted their guilt. Since then, although
he has, at times, lived under the same
roof as Mrs. Surgent, he has not ac-
knowledged her as her wife.
Brothers Remarkable Stories.
Harvey Surgent was next called and
swore that he was aware that the rela-
tions between his brother John Sur
gent, and Mrs. Elias Surgent were i'm
proper at the time the latter's husband
was in Scranton.
AS climax for this remarkable testi-
mony John Surgent was sworn, and ad-
mitted that during the absence of his
brother Elias from home, he usurped
his place for period of two months.
That closed the testimony, which was
taken by Court Stenographer Willis
Casten. Attorney r. V. Powderly ap-
peared for the libellant.
Testimony in tive other cases where
wives want legal separation from their
bubbles was heard by the same Judge
yesterday. Court Messenger NJ. ]. Nc
Andrew took stenographic notes of the
evidence. The first case was where
Mary j. Ward seeks to be freed from
matrimonial alliance with John Ward.
They We're married twelve years ago in
Wales and immigrated to America on
their honeymoon, taking up residence
on Eynon street, on the West Side.
Four YEARS ago next July Ward left his
home and has remained incog since.
Herself and brother swore to her mar
riage and the subsequent desertion.
Attorney Joseph Ol5rien, represented
Mrs. Ward.
Peters Was profanc
The other case, Fannie Peters versus
Ezekial b. Peters, was on the ground
of intolerable treatment. on Feb. 25
1885, they were married at Moscow. The
charge is that he used TO beat her,
chase her out of the house and swear at
her whenever she went to church.
one particular Sunday, more than
three years ago, he made the air blue
with profanity when she was getting
ready for prayer meeting, and after she
left he beat their oldest boy so cruelty
that he was rendered unconscious. She
could not stand his treatment longer
than Aug. Is, 1892. and she left him.
and has since resided on Eighth street
on the West Side.