The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-09-24

Mrs. Christine Boehnhart returned
to Mankato today from St. Peter, in
company with Sheriff Bowen, having
been discharged as cured as result
OF the recent examination Of the pa
tients of that Institution under the
new law. As result of this eXami-
nation, ten have already been dis
charged from that institution as
cured. and more will be released later.
A terrible surprise came to Mrs.
Boehnhart six weeks ago, when Sup
erintendent TomlinSon wrote to her
husband and received reply from
him that he had procured divorce
from her and married again. She re-
fused to believe it. and when she came
to MankatO today she visited her
former home and found new mis-
tresS of the household, who confirmed
the truth of the letter. Two of
Boehnhart's sons were also at home
and corroborated the statement. He,
himself, is out of the city at present.
MIS-. Boehnhart was tod that moth
ing could be done for her there, SO she
says She says that 40 notice Of the
divorce proceedings was served upon
her and that she had no knowledge Of
the action at the time J. D."
The records, of the district court
show that Mrs. ,Boehnhart was com.
mitted to the asylum Feb. 10, 1894, by
Judge Torrey, and again March 5, 1895, =,
by Judge Mead. They also show that
a. divorce was granted to BOehnhart
on March Is, 1895, on the ground that
she was insane when he married her,
and for two years previous thereto,
and that she Was confined to an asylum
previous to the marriage, and that
she was incompetent to con tract mar
rage. The records show that HI
Schmitt was Boehnhart's attorney,
and that the court appointed
Louis Wolff guardian ad litem
to conduct the defense. Mr.. Wolff
put in an answer, acknowledged be-
fore Mr.. Schmitt as notary, in which
he denied the truth of the charge of
insanity. The case was tried March
5th, the day of the second commit.
ment. The summons in the complaint
was served Nov. Goth, 1894, accord
ing to the records, but there is moth
ing to show, in hasty glance through
the records, whether they were
served upon the defendant in person
or whether she understood their
purpOrt. .-.-
The records also show that on
March 26th, 1895, Jacob Boehnhart
was married to Mary j. Simpson, by
Judge Ira P. Shissler, in this city.
Boehnhart lost no time in filling the
place made vacant by the divorce
court, following so closely upon the
commitment of his wife to the in
sane asylum. "a.
Boehnhart is Sc years of age and
Mrs. Christine Boehnhart is 81 years
old. They were married at St. Paul
Oct. 18th, 1879, and have no children,
although both have children by for
mer marriages. Mrs. Boehnhart, has
had two husbands. and Boehnhart's'
last venture is his third. Mrs. B.
states that she has three children in,
Chicago, unless they have moved
away during the past few years.
Boehnhart's house is at 430 North
Second street, and the city directory
gives his occupation as book agent.
Mrs. BoehnhaFdt states that her
first husbands name was John Dres-
Ter, and that when he died he left her
$1,000 Of life insurance. Louis Valid,
foreman Of glue factory at Chicago,
was appointed he- guardian, and for
warded her the interest on this money
regularly until her commitment to
the asylum, the last $40 being re-
ceived In June, 1893. She has heard
nothing from Valid since, although
she has written to him, and she is at
a loss to know what he has done with
theinterest money. IL she c uld re-
ceive this, it would aid in her support
She states that she does not know
how she will be able to get along.
She will be boarded at the Jail for a
short time, or until her affairs can be
Strengthened out. She speaks ration
ally. makes herself easily understood
in English, and. appears to have COM
plete control Of her mental faculties.
The case is a sad one. a.'
- no o. Ef1r ~ " 80, : All: 49,.