The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-19

Durham Made Record in Divorce Suits
Yesterday.

| Durham. \. G., Jan. 1S,-tSpeciaD-
/ Court convened this morning at 9:3t
| o'coIck. Solicitor Bynum not having ar
rived from Greensboro, the State docket
| was in the hands of Fred A. Green, who
| prosecuted John Allen u son OF Ole
| Dick. who was sent to the work hous!
a few days ago fer three months, and
| brother of Francis, who was sent up for
| four months, was convicted OF assault
and battery with deadly weapon in
two eases. and sent to the work house
| for twelve months 1t begins TO look like
Judge Allen will get the whole Allen
family in the work house.
Jacob Brown was convicted OF assault
and battery with a deadly weapon, and
sent to the work house for five months.
Caroline Chavis was convicted of an
assault with deadly weapon. In this
case judgment was reserved.
The Solicitor having arrived, Reuben
Barbee was brought into the court room
and his trial was resumed. Judge Allen
announced that he had decided to
admit testimony to show the character of
William Cole, who was killed by Barbec,
This will prolong the taking of evidence
very materially. 1t is understood that
Il number of witnesses will be examined
for the defense.
Three divorces were obtained in the
Superior Court this morning in less than
an hours time, and it was not very
good day for divorces either The first
suit was Claudio NJ. Mason VS.. w. e.
Mason. Mrs. Mason asked for divorce
absolute on account of abandonment,
under a special statute passed a few years
ago. The evidence was ample to satisfy
the jury Judge Allen held that the law
was with the plaintiff, and Mrs. Mason
walked out of Court q free woman and
the sole custodian OF a bright little boy.
Mrs. $. J. MILAN had brought suit
for divorce under the provisions of the
statute above mentioned, and came out
equally fortunate as Mrs. Mason. She
however, was made custodian of the two
bright boys.
The third suit for divorce was very
peculiar one 1t was brought by Mrs
Zenia Max Foutz against Louis Foutz
The evidence was that the marriage rites
under the State law were duly sDlemnized
some time last spring, but according to
the Hebrew rites the marriage was not
complete. and Mr., and Mrs. Foutz did
not enter upon the enjoyment Of bliss
full honeymoon. The couple changed
their minds, and while the laws of North
Carolina said they were husband and
wife, they never recognized the relation
ship. The divorce was asked and grant
ei upon statutory grounds
Durham boasts iii the matter of iii
yorces, having separated man and wo-
man who never for a moment acknowl-
edged the bonds of matrimony
Mr.. John w. Umstead, who came up
from Raleigh few days since ON the
sick list, is still confined to his room at
the residence of Mrs. Long, in this city.
He is suffering from terrible cold, and
the pneumonia symptoms have been very
decided. He was said to be little better
this morning, and it is hoped he will es-
cape long attack. 1t win be several
days before he can possibly return to his
legislative duties, and unless there is IL
tie up on the Senatorial question he will
not be able to east his vote for Senator
Solicitor w. F. Bynum went to Green's
boro yesterday morning and spent Sun
day with home folks. He returned this
morning.
Mr. j, r. Mason of Chapel IIill il here
to-day attending court.
The crowd at the court house was not
SO large to-day.
The jury in the Barbee case worshipped
yesterday morning at The First Baptist
church, and last night at Trinity.
Judge o. III. Allen spent the Sabbath
in Durham. He worshipped yesterday
morning at Trinity church aud heard a
most excellent sermon by Rev. John \.
Cole,