The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-08
A COMMoN-LAw MARRIAGE.
Twelve Years Afterwards Samuel and
Mai Ehrisman Were United.

In Room 2, Supericr Court, Judge Harvey
is trying a case which presents a number
of unusual features. The suit is that of
Samuel Ehrisman by his next friend, Jacob
Ehrsman, against Mai Ehrisman. to set
aside an alleged fraudulent marriage. Sam
uel Ehrisman is at present confined in the
Central Hospital for the Insane. Jacob
Ehrisman is the father of Samuel
All of the parties to the suit are we'll
known in the northeast part of the city,
where the Ehrismans own considerable
property. The Ehrisman Touring mill is at
Clifford avenue and Archer street. Prop
erty amounting 10 about $1,000 is involved
in the suit. Samuel Ehrisman was declared
of unsound mind about the middle of last
August, and sent TO the insane asylum. At
that time he lived with the defendant at
No. 354 Archer street. Enrisman is about
thirty-four years of age. while she is some
years younger. She is pretty, dark-eyed
woman of about twenty-nine. The plain
tiffs aver that she is a designing creature
and took advantage OF, Ehrisman's mental
weakness. The charges are substantially to
the effect that for several years prior to
May 21, 1895, the defendant was Ehrisman S
housekeeper and that on that date, in COM
pany with her sister and brother. she took
Ehrisman TO Greensburg, procured license
and had a marriage ceremony performed.
1t is insisted that at the time of the mar
riage EhriSman was mentally unSound and
incapable of entering into a marriage con-
tract. Further, the plaintiffs charge the de-
PENDANT with having caused this marriage
for the purpose of securing possession of
Ehrsman'S property. The evidence showed
that the Union Trust Company was appoint
ed guardian of the person of Samuel Chris
man. and that after his incarceration in the
asylum his interests were taken in charge
by his father, Jacob Ehrisman. and his
aunt Mary Blanchard. The plaintiffs claim
they will show that Mrs. Ehrisman had the
Union Trust Company made guardian Of her
husband without the knowledge or consent
OF his famil =.
On the other hand. the attorneys for Mrs
Ehrisman claim that the marriage was reg
ular and that the wife had no intention of
practicing fraud. They assert that the evil
dence to be bought out to-day will disclose
some startling facts. 1t will be shown. 1t is
said. that the ceremony at Greensburg last
May only ratified an agreement entered into
between Samuel Ehrisman and Mai Strauch
twelve years before. 1t is cOntended that
the girl, when seventeen years OF age, was
induced by Ehrisman to become his wife
by virtue of what is termed q common-.aw
marriage. Ehrisman. it is alleged. told her
that marriage ceremony was entirely I'M
necessary. and for twelve years they oc-
cup.ed tho relations of man and wife. The
defendant will attempt to show that the
Greensburg ceremony was performed at the
condition. Prior to that time. ii Is claimed
the couple were believed 10 be married and
associated with many excellent people as
man and wife. The attorneys for Mrs En-
risman say they viii produce invitations to
social. entertainments addressed TO Mr..
and Mrs. Samuel Ehrisman." Samuel En-
risman is believed. 10 be suffering from an
ircurable malady. His wife's attorneys say
their client does not want his entire estate.
but is only asking for enough TO support