The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-03
Martin Gets a Divorce and Gus
'tody of Two Daughters.
TESTIMONY AGAINST HIS WIFE.
Evidence That Mrs. Martin Has Re-
peatediy Threatened TO XIII Her
Husband IL He Were Successful in
Securing a Legal Separation
tify-A Long story Of Cruelty.

Several sensational features developed
at the trial OF the case OF H. G. Martin vs..
Josie Martin yesterday in Judge Jacobs
court. which resulted in Martin securing A
divorce and the custody Of the two oldest
children. II came ont in the testimony that
Mrs. Martin had taken an oath to Kill her
husband in case she lost the suit. ani as
soon as Judge Jacobs rendered his decision
the husband loA no time in getting out OF
the courtroom with the two little girls
whose custody the judge had placed in his
hands. The wife was very hysterical. but
did not attempt TO Use a gun. A pathetic
part Of the case was the way In which the
four children took sides. The TWO Oldest
girls stood with their father and the other
two sided with their mother, a child of
years was placed on the stand 10 contra
dict the statements of his sister aged L..
who said that she had run away from
hcne after her mother had knocked her
down and kicked her. The most sensa-
tional testimony was given by the husband.
who stated tina; mis- wife had six times
treatened his life and had twice pulled
question OF allmony next Friday.
The family troubles of the Martins he
gan twelve years ago according 10 Mrs.
Martin. Since that time the husband has
only partially supported the family. and.
according to the wfe's statement. has been
extremely cruel To her. Martin claimed
that his wife had treated him very cruelty
and had several times threatened TO kill
him. She excused her conduct on the
ground that she had been compelled TO
work hard to support herself and children
for the last eight years. As far back as
1892 she brought a suit for divorce. but
changed her mind before the case game 10
trial and had IL dismissed Some time ago
she brought another suit but again asserted
her prer0gatfYe as a woman TO change her
mind Last fan she brought suit for sep
arate maintenance after which her hus-
band fled the suit which was yesterday
decided In his favor
When on the witness stand Mr.. Martin
testified that she had threatened 10 Kill
him as many six times; that she had
made two attempts TO shoot him. and had
been excessively cruel IN other ways. Tie
aGmitted that he had not supported ms
family all OF the time but said that he had
always turned over some money. He asked
that he be given the divorce and the Gus
toby of The TWO older girls. whom, he said.
were being badly treated by their mother.
He explained the reason he did not ask for
the custody of the two younger children by
saying that hts wife had informed him that
he was net the father Of her last two chill
dren.
Pauline Martin. pretty dark-eyed girl OF
Il testified that her mother had beaten her
md knocked her down on December II,
1897 and that the next day she had run
away from home and went to her father.
Harry Grover Martin, a 4-year-oid In
kits. with long golden curls. was put on
the stand TO contradict his sisters testi-
many.
Mrs Martin made a good witness In her
own behalf. She said that the daughter
who testified against her had been I'M
truthful She denied the statement OF her
husband In regard to the younger children.
Sechbors testified that she was hard
working woman.