The herald., 1897-04-07
A Mystery Regarding a Lost
Woman
MRS. BRADy'S DAMAGE SUIT
Seeking TO RECOVER $4,000
FROM THE TIMES
Mrs. Peckelhoff Crestfallen-That
Gun Was to Be Used Holding
Up Train-New Suits

II Mrs. Ellen Willard does not get
divorce from her husband 1t Will not De
because she failed to tell enough about
him In Judge Shaw's court yesterday.
Mrs. willard is a voluble talker, and she
turned herself loose for once. All the
forenoon she poured forth a tale OIL
long suffering and abuse endured at the
hands of her husband, that was enough
to melt heart of stone.
Mr.. and Mrs. Willard were married In
1880. Her parents were wealthy resi-
dents Of Dixon ILL.,, and, according 10
the story she tells, her husband must
have married her for her money, 1or
there does not seem to have ever been
much love between the two. Trouble
came early One little difficulty fol-
lowed another, and finally Willard de-
serted her, but returned, and they moved
to California.
Mrs. Willards father gave her seven
teen lots at Rosedale where the couple
made their home 1t was not long, how
ever, before Willard got into trouble
over a Beauty Wonder" fake, and was
arrested for using the mails to defraud
He had no money to defend his case, and
it was necessary for his wife to mortgage
one of her lots to raise funds to defray
the expenses of the suit. Willard got
clear of the charge, although several
members of his family were sent TO Jail.
He did not seem to appreciate his
wife's kindness, and shortly took to
drinking and gambling. One night he
did not come home until o'clock in the
morning, and found his wife up and
waiting for him. When he arrived in a
drunken condition she chided him for
his conduct, and he took out a revolver
and, f1ourishing it in her face, threaten
ed to shoot her If she ever mentioned
the matter to him again.
At another time he had come to her
for money to buy a suit of clothes, and
when she had replied that she did not
have 1t he had told her II she did not give
him some money he would get drunk
and lie out in the gutter in front OF the
house until she did give 1t to him. Mrs.
Willard claimed that her husband had
contributed nothing in several years to
her support, and that she had furnished
all the money for living expenses from
the proceeds of mortgages placed upon
her lots.
Once she had wanted to buy a washing
machine, but Willard would not get 1t
for her, and then she had pawned her
watch to raise the money All this time
HtI HuSDauu MoulQ IlOl 10 any NOTh-
He was once elected justice of the peace,
but he was not even a good hand at
sending down vags, and did not do any
business.
Willard came home once at o'clock in
the morning after staying out all night,
and was terribly distressed. He told
his wife that he had lost all his money
playing poker, and said that they would
now have to live very saving to make
1t up. At anothe- time when angry
at her he had said: IF you don't look
out there will be one OF the worst muir
ders in history committed. I'll kill you
and the whole family
Mrs. Willard's story was long one,
but it was finished at last. and then
other witnesses were placed upon the
stand to corroborata her statements.
Her husband had his inning during the
afternoon. and If his testimony is true ii
looks as if a divorce would be good
thing for both parties. Mrs. Willard
wants the children.