The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-09-18

The case of Joseph Champan, VINO
was given until 10 o'clock yesterday
morning to purge himself of contempt
for having drawn $3.50 from the bank
in the face of an order of the court
restraining him from disposing of his
cash and property, pending the hear
ing of the suit for divorce brought
against him by Mrs. Chapman, was
called up by Walter Murphy, attorney
for the lady.
Mr. Murphy said the nearing on the
PRAYER for divorce might now be pro-
! decided with as he understood Chap
man, the defendant, had Withdrawn
his opposition and would not contest
! the suit.
Chapman said that was so, that his
attorney, Colonel Kaighn, had deserted
| him, and that he was satisfied TO let
the case go by default.
| At this point Judge Merritt asked II
! the money had been re-deposited in
the bank Chapman said it had not.
He had drawn it out and blown it all
in having a good time"
Judge Merritt-This man has delib-
erateiy violated an order of this court,
and also committed perjury, and 1 di-
rect the district attorney to take the
matter up in the interest of public
! justice.
Judge Howat was in court and took
a good look at Chapman, against
whom this order was directed.
Then the divorce case was proceeded
with, and Mrs. Caroline Chapman tes-
titled to the marriage in 1863; to the
drunken habits of her husband, and to
repeated crUelties, in which her nus
band kicked and .Jeat her in a most
inhuman manner. She wanted the Gus
tody of the seven minor children and
$40 per month for their support, or
81 900 would satisfy her as full parti-
ton of the property. The plaintiffs
daughter testified to seeing her father
kick her mother, and to his generally
! making her home miserable. He used
very vile language and often got
drunk. A son of the Chapman's gave
similar evidence.
Mrs. Chapman's attorney, Walter
Murphy, asked the court to order the
| defendant to convey to Mrs. Chapman
their home, worth about $500, and pay
TO her $1,000 for the support of her
! children.
BIOwed 1t In.
The court then called Joseph Chap
man as a witness. In reply to Judge
Merritt, he said: drew the two thou
! i
0lowed it in. l don't know where. It's
all over town. l can't tell you how I
spent it.
Judge Merritt-You spent $500 in
forty-five days and can't tell how you
did it?
Chapman-You can soon blow in that
treating everybody l went into every
saloon in town. The Union saloon is
my headquarters for beer, but l went
into all of them.
The witness said he had bought no
clothes or real estate. He had not
been working much; had just blown
his money in.
Judge Merritt-Draw the order that
this man turn over the homestead to
his wife, pay 500 attorney fee, $25 suit
money and $1,000 of that money. and
that the wife have the custody of the
children.
Mr.. Murphy-Since he has wilfully
disobeyed this court on two occasions.
1 ask that he be committed until he
complies with this one
Judge Merritt-That order will be
made. He will be committed until this
order is obeyed.
Chapman was then escorted to the
United States marshars office. and is
still a prisoner
The PLAINTIFFS attorney does not be-
lieve Chapman's story of having spent
all the money. One reason for disbe-
lieving his story is that already he
has made several contradictory state
mentS in court